I just received an email from CollegeBoard saying that they would try to hold dates every weekend in the Fall, and if that isn’t possible they’ll administer an at-home test. This seems like an atrocious idea. When they mentioned the possibility of an at-home test they referenced the fact that they’re administering online AP exams in May, but this is an absolutely brainless comparison. They cut the entire multiple-choice portion from every test and instead are giving 45-minute free-response only tests, which doesn’t seem very applicable to the damn SAT, which is entirely multiple choice on multiple subjects. How could they possibly think it’s possible to administer an online test when thousands of students have inadequate or no access to internet whatsoever. This is a test with a massive impact on our future and they think they can throw together a cheater-proof and effective online version in a few months? That seems like some sort of sick joke. I know ACT subject tests were planned to be online this year but at an approved ACT testing site, not students’ homes. I also recognize the use of a proctored site where a proctor would watch you from your computer camera, but this also seems like a ridiculous idea when you think about it tangibly. Some students have older computers with a very poor or even no computer camera, some might be broken, some students could put a sticky note over their computer camera and say it’s broken, and how would College Board know? They wouldn’t because an online test is a ludicrous idea and could jeopardize thousands of students’ futures. There is no possible way they could effectively get the test into every student’s hands with a working device to take it on and effective protection from cheating. I hope colleges would be able to see the massive flaws in this if online testing becomes necessary, which although CollegeBoard said it’s unlikely, actual data says differently.
My son took a computer based SAT test way back around 2000. It was at a proctored site, so it could be verified that it was him. When I inquired about the test, I was told that it was somewhat experimental at the time but was considered to be more accurate than the paper test. As one got the questions right or wrong, the test questions would get appropriately harder or easier. In that way, it zeroed in on a more accurate score. Sounded like a great way to go and I am at a loss why it isn’t done that way now.
One could easily require that a computer camera, with audio, be required to take an online test. You could go to a friend’s computer, if necessary. Such a requirement would probably cover a vast majority of the expected test takers. If such a computer is not available, then one would have to travel to a proctored site; no worse than what it is now.
The college board is desperately trying to save their bacon. Meanwhile, more and more schools are doing what they have to - which is say that the SAT/ACT is optional for the class applying next year.
The rich buy their kids thousands and thousands of dollars of private test preparation, which of course makes a HUGE difference. They’ve had a pervasive and persistent problem with cheating, both overseas and domestically. With an at home test, there is NO WAY that they could prevent cheating - it would be rampant. And since most students take the test for the first time in the spring of their junior year, even if they could have a test ready for September, there would be so many bugs to work out, and such inequality based upon internet access, bandwidth, home computers available, and only one shot at taking the test this way, in fall of senior year, that it would be a useless debacle.
The colleges are casting their votes even as the College Board scrambles to stay relevant. They’re voting to jettison the SAT and ACT.
I told my son, who is in self-isolation with an adult sibling now, outside of my home, to concentrate first on his online schoolwork, then on practicing and lessons for his field of interest, and to put standardized test prep on the back burner, since I think it very unlikely that he will wind up ever taking one.
That’s exactly what I hope for. I’ve always hated the concept of the SAT and ACT, as it seems like it tests more on a students ability to study for a certain test rather than how well they’d perform at a college level, especially when what you plan on studying has nothing to do with the information you’re tested on. Personally, I’m a big fan of England’s educational system with the A-Level exams. It just seems like a much smarter process, and I’m not sure why America hasn’t already caught up.
Smarter and/or wealthier kids = better cheaters.
@vhsdad , that’s ridiculous. You don’t think poor and/or stupid people cheat too? There goes a whole bunch of movie plots.
These tests will be moved online, whether we like it or not. The question will be if colleges decide they are done with them. Proctor U has been around for a while already. This is simply going to bring the inevitable more quickly into our homes.
For those concerned, don’t worry. There’s a good chance that standardized tests might go the way of the dodo, but then again, the GRE isn’t going anywhere. I suspect colleges will have a rough time time with admissions and that if anything, the tests will be revamped to make them more equitable so that they become a more reliable metric. Time will tell.
Wow, this saves the rich and famous a lot of money. Instead of paying $500,000 to get a kid into a university they can just pay like $50,000 to have someone come to their home and just take the test. Not all computers have cameras and not all of those that do actually work (tape across the lens).
What are the college boards going to do with all those 36 or perfect scores?
OK, Just having some fun here BTW ?.
I cannot see rolling out a new online SAT going flawlessly, especially as the College Board is under time pressure. (That is, it doesn’t have the luxury of rolling online out on its own timetable, which might allow for beta testing, and working out the bugs that are discovered etc). That, combined with widespread “test optional for 2021s” will mean the test will have dramatically lessened importance for this year. After that, we are guessing.
My guess is it will accelerate the decline in importance of standardized tests, especially if the colleges see that they don’t actually need the tests to admit a talented class.
A computerized test at a testing site sounds fine. My kids have taken state tests for years much like the ones @HPuck35 described…gets more difficult as test advances. However, I don’t see how these could be taken at home. I am still very concerned about the 6 AP tests my D is supposed to take in May online. What if something goes wrong with the internet or she doesn’t understand the process to upload her work in time? At a computerized test site, if something goes wrong, there is someone in charge who can work on the problem, keeping the students in testing room until resolved. I will be interested to see if AP tests go well or if there are massive problems with those tests.
@1Lotus , I myself have taken computerized tests at home that get progressively more difficult. It’s not unusual.
That said, I foresee plenty of problems on a large scale.
Honestly, one silver lining to all of this is that our D will likely not have to worry about the SAT anymore. I’m so over CB trying to make adjustments and communicating poorly. And, now, an online SAT that won’t even look like the one she’s been studying for since November? Come on.
In her case, I think this whole TO thing will help her quite a bit. We are likely going to let her test if they have in-person tests but not do online if that’s the only option.
ACT will almost certainly be offering an at home version. I suspect College Board will follow suit, but because they are behind the game, it might well be a debacle.
With both companies scrambling to offer tests, I’ll be interested to see if most colleges will choose to ignore them. Grades are going to also be a bit unreliable this year. It will be interesting, at the very least.
On site computerized testing makes ZERO sense! Guys, the whole point of going online is so that groups of kids are NOT in the same room at the same time!
I agree with this ^^ also but at testing centers I have been to they really limit how many people are there at any one time. Having kids every other seat is very feasible. They enter one at a time and stager the start times through out the day
Most likely need several different tests so group 1 doesn’t text group 2 some answers…
My friends daughter got a 34 and 1520 already. She didn’t take mandatory state tests. She wants to see if her daughter can get out of taking it so she can be done now. The kid is stellar in every other way.
@Knowsstuff I believe those mandatory SATs have been waved in Illinois for the junior class since they were cancelled in April.
Her school is saying they are still giving them in the fall to make up for them. I will have her check. It’s for Jones Prep in Chicago.
Six feet away (every other seat) is no guarantee of safety – we just don’t know enough about transmission at this point. As of today, the experts have modified their advice to say that COVID apparently can travel 13 feet (the CDC).
Furthermore, finding enough testing sites would be tremendously difficult since traditional ones (high schools) are closed.
There are just too many pitfalls to this scenario. If in person testing was OK in one form or another it would go forward as it has traditionally, simply because there are so many many things that can go wrong with the online method. If the College Board could possibly manage in person testing they will.
Furthermore, they will have to be super careful because if their actions could arguably be considered negligent (i.e. it is not clear that getting 20 kids in a room together for an extended period of time is absolutely safe) there will be liability issues that their insurer will care a great deal about. In that scenario, if all goes well – great! If all does not go well, if thousands of cases are created by taking the SAT and if kids die (because, hello, in NY alone 56 young people (in their twenties or younger) have died in the past 30 days (approx). Two a day. In one state. You don’t think that parents will sue?
@Knowsstuff yes. SAT planned for in-school in Sept but I’ve heard a lot of rumblings that it won’t happen and is no longer mandatory for graduation. Definitely have her check. Even if she has to take it, her score will not matter. S19 got a 1540 in Aug of junior year and he had to take the mandatory SAT. Didn’t study. Didn’t care. Didn’t use the score for anything since he didn’t need to. (And weirdly enough still got a 1520.)
Whatever comes to pass, that student should worry about the in-school SAT. If she has to take it, it will just be four hours of her life she won’t get back but that’s not a big deal.
@homerdog. It’s exactly what I told her but she really wanted to try to do better before the pandemic. She’s just that kid. I keep telling her family to concentrate on the essays and sent her some audio on college counselors talking about that from a link that some posted. She’s a stellar student and kid in every way. . She’s looking at all types of schools and will give her a heads up on Bowdoin since I am learning a lot here. Wants stem but not 100 % sold on engineering. Likes all types of schools.
Fact