<p>Hi,
I was just wondering how likely it is that one will actually be admitted in the test center and actually take the test when standing by. Has anyone here taken the ACT or SAT standing by? If so, did you get sent home due to lack of space, or did everything go smoothly?
- I registered for the act a couple of weeks ago, and to my surprise, all three of my choices were full. So, I was assigned to a deserted school in the surburbs of pennsylvania. I really don't know the area and it seems like the school has a certain dress code to. My original choice were perfect since I am from New jersey and they were close to my home, in philadelphia. So, I might have to stand by at these test centers after all.</p>
<p>Any comments would be helpful.</p>
<p>PS. Last year, I registered for the sat one day before the deadline and still got assigned to my first choice test center.</p>
<p>My guess would be that you'd be sent home by the sounds of your situation. Where I live, there is not enough people so you can almost always get it. Good luck.</p>
<ol>
<li>If you're registered already, you can't test standby. You can do a test center change on test day, which costs $20. If you do this, you should bring a check for $20 with you or call them within a week of the test and pay by credit card--otherwise your scores will be delayed.</li>
<li>You don't have to obey school dress codes when you are taking the ACT.</li>
<li>Have you talked to someone at ACT? Try calling</a> them and asking if there's any space at a test center closer to you. Have the test center codes you want handy. Call back every week, and the day before the test. If space opens up and they can switch you, it will still cost $20, but at least you'll be guaranteed a space. </li>
<li>If you can't get your test center changed before the test and you decide to show up at a full test center, it would be a gamble, but you have a pretty decent chance of getting in. They always ship extra materials, and you get priority over people who are trying to test standby. They accept test center changers in the order in which they arrive at the test center, so get there as early as you can.</li>
</ol>
<p>Yes, that is what i meant--doing a test center change on the test day, in which case I would have to pay $20 after reporting to the desired test center(It is still a gamble though). I am going to call them monday.
On the tst day, I will leave new jersey with my father at about 2-3 am, so i don't want to test at a deserted location that we are not familiar with. I rather test in philadelphia or other place.
By the way, can anyone tell me which test center are closest to new jersey and might still have space available. I was looking at universites since they are pretty easy to find. Thank you.</p>
<p>"2. You don't have to obey school dress codes when you are taking the ACT."
Yes, but my assigned test center is a boarding school where students have to wear a suit during regular days, so wouldn't it be expected for test takers to dress in similar clothes? I don't think I would be confortable wearing a t-shirt and shorts while everyone arround me is dressed formally.</p>
<p>~ Anyways, Maybe I am worrying too much; But if i could test in philadelphia for instance would be much more convinient, so it may be worth taking a chance. I am starting to think that i may have to arrive at the center at 6 to 6:30 am to get a spot. Let me ask you this though, even if everyone shows up, do they provide a few places for standby taker or others in similar entaglements?</p>
<p>I can't say for sure, but I would bet that even the kids that go to that school won't be dressed up on ACT day. Plus, if you got assigned there, there will probably be a lot of other kids that aren't from that school there, and most of them won't know about the dress code. If you end up testing there, and you aren't sure about the dress code thing, you could try to get in touch with the test supervisor and ask if most people will be dressed up.</p>
<p>They always ship extra test booklets and things--I would guess about 10% extra. Sometimes I think they might assign some more kids to some test centers after they ship materials, up to the amount that was shipped, but since it is well after the deadline by that time I think they only do this under special circumstances, like another test center closed or something. If I were you, I'd call ACT on the Thursday or Friday before the test and try to find out if there are extra materials at the test centers you're interested in, and how many. They know exactly how many kids have been assigned there and exactly how many bookets and answer documents of each type (writing and nonwriting) they have sent there. I don't know if they will tell you this, though.</p>
<p>Whether you are admitted on test day depends on whether the test center has extra materials available and space to seat you. If I were you, I would definitely try to get ahold of the test center supervisor and ask if they think they will have space to seat a few extra kids. Chances are, they have done this before and may know how many extra they usually take. They could also suggest a time to show up to make sure you get in. ACT may give you the supervisor's number, or you may have to call the school office and ask who supervises the ACT.</p>