Your SAT Was Canceled Because of COVID-19...Now What?

If your SAT was canceled or postponed, know that you are in good company. Thousands of registrants had their exams canceled…and then their makeups canceled…and then their makeups-to-the-makeups canceled. The changes have come quickly, as governments have worked to slow the spread of COVID-19.

While the many dramatic cancellations and closures may be beneficial for your physical health, they can place a strain on your mental health. We’re hearing from a lot of students who are stressed—as you may be too. The uncertainty can be scary and frustrating, but know that you will get through this—and you’ll be stronger and more resilient for it. To help you navigate the changes, we’re publishing answers to your most frequently asked questions. Have a question you don’t see here? Tweet it to us , and we’ll answer you! 

My exam was canceled. What do I do next?

First, bookmark this page. We’ll be posting updates about the exam dates, changes to college application requirements, and new resources to help you stay sharp. After you do that, the very first thing you should do is reschedule your exam. Next, make a study plan. Remember that you are already ready to take the test; the goal is to stay prepared. Continue to practice about 30 minutes per day so you can keep your skills sharp. For your daily practice, choose to study what you need to study, not what you want to study. Random studying can be disastrous. Formalizing a plan of action and dedicating days to specific preparation offer your best opportunity for success. Set yourself up to study without distractions. No TV, no phone, no social media. (We know, it’s really hard—especially when you’re feeling anxious. You can do this.) Also, remember that “studying” should be more than simply running through questions mindlessly. Check your answers, analyze your progress, and determine what you need to change about your approach. Also, you can spend time reviewing notes or watching instructional videos. To the greatest extent that you can, think of this extra time as a gift.

What happens now that the June SAT has been canceled?

As you know, the June SAT and SAT Subject Tests were canceled. You can find out more about these cancellations (and what they mean) in our video, SAT Flash Update . College Board has added a new test date in September: September 26. If you’re in the US, you’ll have a test-date option in August, September, October, November, and December. (International students will have all of those date choices except for November.) College Board has also said that those test dates are happening—no matter what. Their exact words: “In the unlikely event that schools do not reopen this fall, College Board will provide a digital SAT for home use, like how we’re delivering digital exams to 3 million AP students this spring.” This is great news for you! It means that you can plan on—and prep for—a durable SAT exam date. Even if some of your prospective future colleges have gone test-optional (as the UC system  did), a strong SAT (or ACT) score can help you stand out, given that many classes transitioned to pass/fail grading and many extracurriculars were canceled.

How will changes to the SAT schedule affect the scoring curve?

Some students did get to take the March SAT. Still, thousands fewer students took that exam than were supposed to take it. And we expect that the next testing dates will see thousands more students taking the SAT than typically do. How will this affect the scoring curve? We expect that the difference in test-taker numbers will not have a huge impact on the curve, for a couple of reasons: Tests are equated so that performance on one is meant to be equivalent to performance on another. That’s the reason why it’s not great to get an “easy” SAT . (And in case you're wondering: College Board will also adjust the scale to accommodate any geographic differences in test performance.) Because the numbers of students are still in the thousands, we expect that the curve will not be affected by some exam cancellations.

How will SAT cancellations affect college application season in the fall?

We're seeing that colleges are being as flexible as possible. They know you could not have anticipated a global pandemic, and they will not penalize you for circumstances beyond your control. You’ll be able to find updates on this page and via the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), which is aggregating changes to admission events, deposit dates, and more here .

This spring, we've seen a growing number of colleges move their Decision Day deadline (and deposit deadline) from May 1 to June 1. Among these are Oregon State University  (the first to announce this change), Augustana College , Northern Arizona University , and Williams College . Should opportunities to complete the requirements of college applications not be available between now and the fall, colleges are very likely either to change those requirements, or to move the deadline to enable students to meet them.

Are you offering resources to help students whose test dates were rescheduled?

Glad you asked! We are indeed offering free resources to help you stay sharp. For starters,  join us  for SAT and ACT skills livestream sessions. If you follow us on  Instagram  or  Twitter , you'll find lots of free practice questions—along with explanations. 

Finally, we have created a  Bridge study program  for our SAT students. If you’re experiencing test anxiety, check out our  free resources  to help you thrive during these uncertain times.

What about students enrolled in classes at The Princeton Review?

For students enrolled in our in-person classes, we've transitioned to LiveOnline courses ( find out more ). For LiveOnline students, we'll continue to provide the top-notch, real-time instruction you're accustomed to. Also check out our  Bridge program resources.

What’s the bottom line?

Remember that this is a global pandemic. Colleges will have to adjust their expectations with students applying for spots in the September 2021 first-year class. Your whole cohort is in the same situation; expect adjustments and allowances to be made. This is an unprecedented event in the modern college admissions environment. No one will be able to predict how the situation will play out, but SAT cancellations will not put you at a disadvantage. We’re all in this together. One final note: Never underestimate the power of handwashing. Take care. We’re rooting for you every step of the way.