Anyone who has a high school student is aware of the ACT and SAT standardized tests that are part of the college admission process.
A May 2020 L.A. Times story (“UC Makes Landmark Decision to Drop ACT and SAT Requirement for Admission”) reported that the University of California regents unanimously voted to suspend SAT and ACT testing requirements through 2024 and eliminate them for California students by 2025.
The plan was to make them optional for the next two years and eliminate them completely after that. By 2025, the UC system plans to have its own assessment.
“Critics say the SAT and ACT are heavily influenced by race, income and parental education levels; question the exams’ value in predicting college success; and express concern about inequitable access to test prep. Those concerns have prompted more than 1,000 colleges and universities to drop the testing requirement. A lawsuit against the UC system also calls for the requirement to be dropped,” the Times reported.
But what does this mean to current high school juniors and seniors who might be applying to college outside of California? Circling the News reached out to the Groza Learning Center, located in Pacific Palisades.
“The truth is… they still have to prepare, study and plan to take the SAT or ACT,” Groza responded, noting that although tests may be optional for some colleges, that may not be true for the college your student might apply to.
“Arguments about these standardized tests have been going on for years, whether they are truly valuable in predicting college success,” Groza wrote. “As the landscape keeps changing in college admissions requirements, it isn’t clear how many colleges will follow the UC plan.”
If high schools do not reopen in the fall and onsite testing is not available, The College Board will provide a digital remote version of the tests for students.
“Now since students’ learning has gone virtual, prep and tutoring for the SAT and ACT are also up and running online to help your student prepare,” Groza said, and listed the 2020 Test Dates that are currently scheduled: ACT July 18 and SAT August 29, September 26, October 3, November 7 and December 5.
Groza, which does offer test prep, offers a complimentary SAT or ACT practice test. Call: (310) 454-3731 or visit: grozalearningcenter.com.
