Many colleges waiving SAT and ACT requirements because of COVID-19
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Recently, the University of California has announced to phase out the SAT and ACT tests as requirements to apply to its 10 schools. More than two dozen schools have announced that standardized tests would be optional for new applicants who are seeking to enroll in 2021.
With many high schools either closed or taking classes remotely for the rest of the year, a large number of colleges and universities in the US are waiving standardized test requirements due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Some colleges have gone one step ahead and decided to phase out the standardized test requirements for the next couple of years. Recently, the University of California decided to phase out the SAT and ACT test as admission requirements for the next four years.
The tests will be optional until 2024, when the California system's 10 schools, which include the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of California, Berkeley, could develop its own admissions test. They had already eliminated the standardized test required because of COVID-19.
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Experts argue that the universities will still attract and enroll top students and that too much weightage has been given to the tests. Apart from this, at least two Ivy League schools have also altered their policies for new applicants. Cornell University announced that 'due to this extraordinary circumstance’ students can submit their applications without ACT or SAT exam scores starting in August 2021.
Recently, Harvard College also announced that high school juniors would not face penalties if they were not able to submit Advanced Placement test scores and SAT subject test results.
According to a statement released by Harvard, 'We know that there are fewer opportunities to take the SAT or ACT given the cancellations to date'. It further read, 'You will not be disadvantaged in any way if you do not submit subject tests'.
In addition to this, two top schools, the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton also do not require aspirants to take SAT subject tests for admission. Princeton’s dean of admission, Karen Richardson in a message to new applicants said, 'while our policy has long been that SAT subject tests are recommended but not required, now seems the appropriate time to reiterate that applicants who do not submit subject tests will not be disadvantaged in our process.' She added, 'SAT or ACT test scores are only one part of our holistic review.'
However, Yale, Brown University, and Dartmouth College still ask for standardized test scores. Also, Stanford also requires them to give admission to new applicants. But more than two dozen educational institutions including liberal arts college Amherst and Williams announced that this spring the tests would be optional for candidates seeking admission in 2021.
Q: How many SAT exam centres are in India?
Located across 33 cities, there are around 129 designated SAT exam centres in India. Indian students registering for SAT exam can choose for any one of these test centres out of 120 based on their city and area of accommodation. The SAT centres in India are located at all possible cities and in possible areas of these cities too. Each SAT centre has a unique centre code which differentiates one test centre from the other. Students must exercise caution while choosing a SAT exam centre.
Q: If I don't meet the SAT cutoff, will I get disqualified for admission?
Some universities require a consolidated SAT cutoff while the other universities may resort their admission policies towards SAT sectional cutoffs. Either ways if something is in the applicant's favour, will drive him to qualify for the said university's admissions. But in case the applicant fails to meet either of the said circumstances, chances are that they disqualify for the admission. Thus, if mentioned, applicants should aim for the given SAT cutoff or slightly higher than the given cutoff.
Q: If a university is not test optional, is it still important to meet SAT cutoff?
In case the applicant is submitting SAT scores and the SAT cutoff is mentioned, then it is likely that the applicants will have to submit the SAT cutoff based on the given requirements. It is important to meet SAT cutoffs if the applicants have them mentioned in the admission requirements. Thus, if the applicant has not taken the test it becomes less important to submit these scores, but if the applicant feels that the scores will enhance their applications and give a better impression, then they should go for it.
Q: Since a lot of US universities have become test optional, is it easy to find their cutoffs?
Yes, since a lot of US universities have become test optional it may be difficult to find their cutoffs. But those who intend on submitting SAT scores despite the test optionality choice, can look up for previous year's SAT cutoffs on the official websites if available. This way the applicant will have an idea of what score is required and plan a strategy to aim for the said cutoff. The previous year's SAT cutoff will not however be the ideal support but it will just give the applicant an idea of what and how to aim for in SAT.
Q: What is the SAT cut-off for the best colleges in the world?
The SAT cutoff for best colleges in the world as ranked by QS for the year 2024 are as follows:
- University of Cambridge: 1460-1500
- University of Oxford: 1480 and above
- Harvard University: 1480-1580
- Stanford University: 1440-1505
- UCL: 1440 and above
- University of California Berkley: 1140-1530
- University of Chicago: 1510-1560
- Cornell University: 1470-1550
- Yale University: 1470-1490
- Princeton University: 1510-1560
This data is dynamic and is subject to change. Thus, please visit the official website for more details.
Q: Which all colleges in India, accept SAT scores and what is the cut-off requirement for the same?
Q: Do Australian universities release SAT cutoffs?
No, usually Australian universities do not release SAT cutoffs, and some of them may not require them also. Only a handful universities of Australia accept SAT scores from international students for admission. The ones who accept SAT scores, may or may not publish SAT cut-offs or minimum SAT score requirements. Even if some universities do that, they give it for a specific course and not for all courses offered at that level in the university in question. Thus, be careful while checking admission requirements.
Q: What was the SAT RW cutoff for top US universities in 2023?
The following are the SAT cutoffs for RW section for US universities for the year 2023:
| Top US Universities | SAT - Reading & Writing Cutoff |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 710-770 |
| Stanford University | 700-770 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 730-770 |
| University of California Berkeley (UCB) | 650-740 |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 690 |
| Yale University | 740-800 |
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