In January of 2016, a massive Nor’easter named Jonas slammed the East Coast, dumping feet of snow on states that rarely see inches of accumulation in a given winter. Unfortunately, this blizzard coincided with a highly subscribed SAT date: the last scheduled administration of the version of the SAT first introduced in 2005. Something had to give, and you can be sure it wasn’t the weather!
In this case, wild weather shut down test centers from Massachusetts to Georgia and as far west as Mississippi. However, over the years, testing in just about every month in every state and many countries has been impacted by inclement conditions. Nobody can predict where rough weather will postpone tests in the future, but anybody can and should prepare for the worst.
How will I know if bad weather will postpone my test?
The best way to find out if your test administration is being cancelled due to inclement weather is to listen to the local media that normally carries school announcements. If you are taking the test at your high school, your Counseling Office may also have information. In addition, you can check the College Board and ACT websites for news on the SAT and ACT respectively.
Where can I find information on rescheduled test locations?
For the most reliable information on rescheduled tests, including makeup dates, locations, and restrictions, always go straight to the source:
SAT Test Center Closings
ACT Test Reschedule Information
How can I prevent wild weather from ruining my college application?
The simple secret to ensuring that an unforeseen catastrophe like Blizzard Jonas doesn’t wreck your chances of getting test scores in under deadline is to not wait until the last minute to test! Always plan to take the SAT or ACT as early as feasible in your high school career, certainly before senior year. If you prepare effectively and earn your best scores by the end of 11th grade, you will avoid the pain and anxiety of wild test day weather and postponed test dates.
Our hearts go out to all students who prepare for a test they cannot take. In this specific, the College Board scheduled a makeup administration of that final SAT. But test day nightmares come in all different forms, so always expect the best but prepare for the worst. When all is said and done, one of the most valuable traits to bring to any test is RESILIENCE.
Mike Bergin