PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Since the start of the pandemic, access to standardized tests used for college admissions has been limited. In some parts of the country where coronavirus case counts are low, SAT and ACT testing is available, leaving some wondering if they should travel to take these tests.
There are three reasons why Application Nation founder Sara Harberson discourages families from traveling to take the SAT or ACT.
"I still believe that a student does their best on standardized tests in a familiar environment, when they take the SAT or ACT at their high school or another testing site in their community," she said.
Harberson also said traveling for testing is unnecessary because most colleges are currently test-optional.
Related
Last, colleges and universities are aware of where students live and the availability of testing.
"That admissions officer reading that application is going to know that that student flew somewhere and that they have privilege that other students do not, so that can actually backfire in the end," she cautioned.
Harberson said she doesn't want the average American family adding more cost to the already costly admissions process.