CollegeBoard Removes SAT Subject Tests: Effective Immediately

CollegeBoard announced this morning that, effective immediately, they will no longer offer the SAT Subject Tests to students in the US. International students will still be able to take the Subject Tests in May and June, but the tests will be discontinued internationally as well after those dates. This announcement wasn’t necessarily a surprise for those closely following the changes in the subject tests over the few years, as CollegeBoard stated in their release that “the pandemic accelerated a process already underway.” However, the possibility that the tests would be immediately removed without fair warning has come as a shock to those who have been registered for the May or June test administrations since the fall.

One of the main reasons CollegeBoard offers for the removal of these exams is that the broader reach of the AP exam offerings is more accessible and more well-suited to illustrate students’ ability in college admissions than the current SAT Subject Tests. The AP exams have long been accepted and considered by colleges during admissions as well as for course placement. Now with the elimination of the SAT Subject Tests, there is going to be even more weight placed on performance on the AP exams. 

If you’ve already taken a Subject Test….

You will need to contact the individual colleges you planned to apply to for their updated policy on accepting and using those SAT Subject Test scores. Each college will be individually deciding how to consider Subject Test scores. 

If you were scheduled to take the May or June 2021 Subject Tests…

You will not have an opportunity to take the SAT Subject Tests, as the May and June 2021 test administrations have been canceled. The AP exams are the closest alternate CollegeBoard is recommending in place of the Subject Tests. If you are in the class of 2022, your only opportunity to take an AP exam prior to applying to colleges in the fall will be the upcoming 2021 AP exams in May.  You do not have to have taken the AP course in school to register for the test. However, the AP exam will cover a wider birth of content than it’s equivalent SAT Subject Test, so the preparation for the AP exam without having taken the course will take time, concentrated effort, and a rigorous study routine.

If you are in the class of 2023 or younger….

You will not have an opportunity to take the SAT Subject Tests. However, you will still have an opportunity to take the equivalent AP course if it is offered at your high school. It is highly recommended to take the AP course before the exam, due to both the difficulty of the material and wide range of content. However, if your schedule or high school course offerings do not allow for you to take the full AP course and you want to provide colleges with an AP score, you should plan time to start preparing for the exam as soon as possible. If you are in the class of 2023, you will have an opportunity to take the AP exam in 2021 and 2022 before you apply to colleges. For younger students, you will have at least three more opportunities to take the AP exams.

With frequent changes in the testing climate, exacerbated by the pandemic, it becomes even more important to know your options. By getting an early start on preparation, staying up to date on your colleges’ requirements, and understanding what choices may be best for your situation, you will be much more prepared to take the right next steps if and when challenges arise.