SAT, ACT Canceled Amid Coronavirus Concerns

ROCKVILLE, MD — Nationwide college placement exams in the spring have been cancelled amid concerns about the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

The College Board, which owns the SAT, announced on Monday that it would not administer tests on March 28 or May 2. Those who registered for the May 2 SAT will receive a refund.

"The College Board will remain focused on student safety and ensuring all students have the tools they need to work, and opportunities to receive the credit they have earned, during this challenging time," the organization said in a statement.

The SAT is given seven times a year in the United States: March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. Many students first take the test in the spring of their junior year and retake it in the fall of their senior year.

But with no testing in the spring, some students — most likely high school juniors — may not get to take the SAT multiple times to earn their goal score.

"The College Board will provide future additional SAT testing opportunities for students as soon as feasible in place of canceled administrations," the organization said. We'll be as flexible as possible to give students the best chance to show their skills and stay on the path to college."

It is not immediately known whether the group will cancel the June SAT. For now, the June 6 exam is still on.

The College Board also announced it is "finalizing streamlined AP Exam options that would allow students to test at home, depending on the situation in May."

"We're working to give every AP student the opportunity to claim the college credit they've earned. The AP Program will communicate the details of these additional solutions to educators and students by March 20," the board said.

The SAT and AP aren't the only nationwide exams that are in flux.

The ACT, run by a group by the same name, is also being postponed amid concerns about COVID-19.

"The safety of students and test center staff is ACT's top priority. ACT has rescheduled its April 4 national test date to June 13 across the U.S. in response to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19)," the group said in a statement. "All students registered for the April 4 test date will receive an email from ACT in the next few days informing them of the postponement and instructions for free rescheduling to June 13 or a future national test date."

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