Tips on planning for the SAT during a pandemic (or anytime!)

Tips for Prepping During the Pandemic

1. Make a plan and plan ahead

Choose your test dates well in advance
no school day SAT (2021) - so families are responsible for scheduling, registration and payment
be sure to register soon - fewer spots in testing centers - don’t want to have to travel long distances
Start prepping about two months before scheduled test.
SAT prep or practice 4 days a week. Like training for a marathon - no shortcuts or crash course.

2. Take advantage of free resources

3. Practice the right way

4. Be flexible

Due to COVID, be prepared for things to change
Elimination of SAT essay and subject tests
Confirm test dates
Do you need to take it? Record number of schools are SAT optional. UMaine SAT options for 2021-2022 admissions cycle, and Bates, Bowdoin, Colby
Be ready to adjust your plan if necessary

5. Thoughts on Testing Optional policies

Generally recommend students taking a shot at the SAT - it’s hard to know whether SAT scores should be submitted if you haven’t taken the test.
Even if scores aren’t required for admission, they may still be an important component of merit based scholarship offers.
It’s great that more schools are going test optional. We tell our students that SATs and standardized tests are just one piece of an applicant’s admission’s pie. For some, SATs and standardized tests scores strengthen their applications, and for others it may not - families should consult with their school counselor to determine what is the best approach for their individual circumstances. But for students thinking about not submitting scores, they should trust that if a school is SAT optional, it means that it will not reflect poorly on a student who decides to not submit scores. It’s great that students have greater flexibility than ever before in how they choose to present themselves as applicants.

Geoffrey SlackFebruary 1, 2021

topics include: the SAT, college admissions & Maine students