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Many high school seniors are wondering if their SAT score is good enough. Below are some statistics that may help students determine what is a good SAT score.

Here are some Maryland/Virginia/DC area colleges and universities and their average freshmen SAT scores:

• University of Maryland College Park 1380
• University of Virginia 1430
• Georgetown University 1450
• American University 1300
• Virginia Tech 1285
• University of Maryland Baltimore County 1290
• George Mason University 1215
• Howard University 1215
• Towson University 1140
• St Mary’s College of Maryland 1180
• William and Mary 1415
• Johns Hopkins University 1505
• Virginia Commonwealth University 1165
• Penn State University 1265
• University of Pittsburgh 1350
• University of Pennsylvania 1500
• University of Delaware 1260

College Board is currently designing and testing a new digital version of the SAT exam that will be made available to U.S. students in Spring of 2024. The first PSAT digital exam will be offered in Fall of 2023.

As of recent months, randomly selected students are being contacted to participate in a pilot program to test out the digital version. As part of the digital pilot program, students have the option of keeping the score as an official SAT score or have the test not be counted.

Some important facts about the upcoming SAT digital exam include:

1. Tests will still be administered at test centers. The digital exam is NOT an at-home exam.
2. Scoring remains on a scale of 1600.
3. Tests are graded and scores made available much faster than they are currently.
4. Length of tests will be shortened.
5. Calculator will be allowed on the entire Math exam.
6. Each section will be divided into two parts. The second part is adaptive and difficulty of the questions is determined by results from the first part.

For more information, please take a look at College Board Digital Testing Home (https://digitaltesting.collegeboard.org/).

All 11th grade Montgomery County Public School students are scheduled to take the SAT on Wednesday 3/23/22 as part of MCPS’s SAT School Day (https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/careercenter/testing/sat-school-day.aspx). Please note that this is a county sponsored SAT exam meaning the school system already paid for exam fees and the exam will be administered at the students’ home high schools. This is an excellent and convenient opportunity for all MCPS 11th graders.

This is different than the March national test date which is taking place on Saturday 3/12/22. Also note, after the March test date, the next two upcoming test dates are 5/7/22 and 6/4/22.

Here are some of the latest happenings and news regarding SAT and ACT testing this Fall:

• SAT exams are scheduled for Aug 29, Sep 26, Oct 3, Nov 7, and Dec 5.
• ACT exams are scheduled for Sep 12/13/19, Oct 10/17/24/25, and Dec 12.
• Exam availability will depend on two factors.
  • College Board or ACT’s overall decision on the national level
  • Local state and county’s decision on whether testing centers will be open
• Previous plans for online (at-home) testing will not be available yet.

 

My personal advice for Fall testing:

• Availability for Fall testing is limited due to capacity restrictions and high demand.
• Register for multiple exam dates in case one is cancelled .
• If exam is cancelled, register for an alternative test date immediately.
• Most colleges are test optional this year meaning college applicants do not have to submit a SAT/ACT score. However, schools very much prefer scores to be submitted. Particularly this year, submitting a good score will give the applicant a big advantage.
• For students that plan on enrolling in a local community college with the goal of transferring to a major university after year one, a good SAT/ACT score significantly improves chance of acceptance. These students should consider registering for one of the Spring 2021 exams when cancellations are less likely.

Just received an email from College Board this morning. Below are several excerpts that contain important information about upcoming SAT testing opportunities. In short:

• June 6th exam has been cancelled
• September test date will be added
• If facilities are still closed in the Fall, online at-home SAT will be administered

 

“Right now, public health officials have made it clear it’s not safe to gather students in one place. Many states have closed their schools for the rest of the academic year, and globally there are widespread school closures across 192 countries. As such, we won’t be able to administer the SAT^® and SAT Subject Tests™ as planned on June 6, 2020.

We’ll ensure that students have opportunities to take the SAT to make up for this spring’s lost administrations. If it’s safe from a public health standpoint, we’ll provide weekend SAT administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August. This includes a new administration in September, in addition to the previously scheduled tests.”

“In the unlikely event that schools don’t reopen this fall, the College Board will provide a digital SAT for home use, much as we’re delivering digital exams for three million Advanced Placement^® students this spring. As we’re doing with at-home AP^® Exams, we would ensure that at-home SAT testing is simple; secure and fair; accessible to all; and valid for use in college admissions.”