The College Board “will no longer offer SAT Subject Tests or the SAT with essay.”

It is true.
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The SAT Subject Tests Are Ending

In an effort to reduce the demands on students, the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, announced that they are phasing out the SAT Subject Tests

This decision was initiated because the college admissions process is changing and accelerated because of the pandemic.

As of early 2020, several universities recommended taking two or three subject tests for admission consideration while seven required the tests.

The AP Tests Are Expanding

The Washington Post reported that “the expanded reach of AP and its widespread availability means the Subject Tests are no longer necessary for students to show what they know.”

The transition from SAT Subject Tests to AP Exam should be easily accepted since over 1.24 million students took at least one AP test in 2019.

Many colleges already use AP Courses and AP Exams to assess their ability and interest.

Spring AP Exam Timeline

During the early spring, you should begin the process of choosing your AP Courses for next year. There are 38 courses to consider. Some courses have prerequisites and some help you earn college credit.

If you are currently enrolled in an AP Course, you should be working with your instructor and taking advantage of the AP Classroom resources.

The digital testing application becomes available in early April.

While the SAT Subject Tests were offered year round, the AP Exams are only administered in May or June. There are a few options to consider.

First, you need to choose your format: traditional (paper) or digital. Second, you need to choose your location: during school or at home.

Third, once you select the date, you need to confirm that your format and location preferences are offered.

Fourth, if you are taking more than one AP Exam, schedule them so they don’t interfere with other AP Exams and end of year testing.

Portfolios and research performances are due during the end of May.

AP scores will be released in July.

The SAT Essay Has Been Eliminated

The College Board will also “discontinue the optional SAT Essay after the June 2021 administration.” Instead, they will measure writing and editing skills throughout the test.

In addition, the SAT is being revised to allow students to take the test online instead of a high school cafeteria.

The college admission landscape is constantly changing. Connecting with your school counselor or an educational consultant will help you make the best decisions for your family.

🌞It's time to start planning for the summer!
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Yes, you read that correctly!

Although we are a few months from the end of the spring semester, summer will be here before you know it. How are you going to take advantage of the summer break?

Many college-bound students like yourself are going to attend camps or take classes.  Summer programs will help you gain experience in your field of interest, build your resume, and network with professionals.

While some areas of the country have limited mobility because of the COVID-19 restrictions, others are open for business. Do your research and proceed if you and your parents feel that it’s safe to travel and participate.

Here are a few options to consider:

🏛An eight-week paid internship to Washington DC…

💼Free day-camp for upperclassmen wanting to learn about becoming entrepreneurs…

💪🏻Two-week military leadership academy…

🍲Earn certificates in coding or cooking…

⛺Along with scout camps and church camps, there are many, many educational camps to attend: law, fashion, aerospace, journalism, robotics, fine arts, ROTC, girls only, nursing, healthcare, band, engineering, sports, architecture, veterinary medicine, interior design, leadership, medicine, national security, creative writing, music…

To search for summer programs, type in “summer programs for high school students” and one of the options above or the name of a local college.

Save your programs on a spreadsheet to sort by subject, location, time, length, description, and cost.

If your camp offers “college credit” for attending, know that the credit will be redeemable at the college that hosts the camp. As an example, you would not be able to transfer your college credit from George Mason University to, let's say, Georgetown University.

If you don’t want to attend a camp, you can volunteer in your community or get a part-time job.

Another option is to apply for an internship through your states’ Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The SYEPs provide work experience for high school students typically between June and August. Students are matched with local organizations to earn income, job skills, and work experience.

Unless you are joining an eSports team or planning to study game design in college, tending to your virtual farm or gaining experience points may not prepare you for your future career.

Completing a career assessment will help you determine which summer programs are in your best interest. 

Take advantage of your summer break!