Launched in 2010 in an effort to make the SAT exam more accessible to all students, College Board’s SAT School Day program provides students the opportunity to take an official SAT exam on campus during school hours at little or no cost. Notably, the results of the School Day SAT are just as valid as any regular SAT exam. Like the PSAT exam, students should take advantage of the opportunity to complete a School Day SAT for a variety of reasons:
Convenience. Taking the School Day SAT eliminates the disruption associated with travel and logistics to accommodate typical SAT weekend sessions, making it easier for students to acquire at least one official SAT exam score. Moreover, many School Day exams often release results quicker than regular SAT sessions, providing students and families more time to make relevant decisions about college applications.
Reduced Stress. Students complete School Day SAT in a familiar environment alongside friends and classmates, relieving the anxiety often associated with regular SAT exams. On School Day SAT days, students are surrounded by support and may feel energized by the collective experience of taking the exam. Similarly, taking the test during school hours reduces the typical distractions associated with weekend activities, like athletic and social events.
Cost Savings. School Day SAT exams are often free or low-cost, saving families money in registration fees accompanying regular SAT sessions. Consequently, School Day exams promote equity by supporting students who lack the means to travel or pay for multiple testing dates. Also, schools participating in the SAT School Day Program may offer students test preparation resources and practice exams in the lead-up to the official exam, all of which can ease students’ anxiety and enhance readiness.
Given the importance of the School Day SAT, students and families should first confirm whether their school participates in the SAT School Day Program and, if so, take note of that school’s specific registration process as soon as possible. On-campus counselors and school district websites can be useful sources of information in these early stages.
If your child is unaware of the benefits of taking the School Day SAT, be sure to discuss those listed above and encourage your child to prepare in advance. Helpful actions include reaching out to on-campus guidance counselors and teachers, creating a study group with similarly motivated classmates, and exploring College Board’s free online practice tests and study resources. Ideally, with the help of a guidance counselor, your child will create an appropriate study schedule tailored to their academic goals, and the teachers your child interacts with on a daily basis will be open to providing academic support in areas where content awareness is lacking. Of course, a good night’s sleep prior to the test and a nutritious breakfast the morning of are just as important!
The Enrichery offers year-round SAT and ACT preparation programs for high school students. For more information, submit a request to contact us at https://theenrichery.com/contact-us-submission/! Also, be sure to inquire about our PSAT Basics workshop on October 7th. Space is limited so sign up soon!