Dealing with SAT Cancelations

I've heard that SAT tests can sometimes be canceled due to unforeseeable circumstances. If this happens, what's the procedure? Do they reschedule? I'm pretty stressed about it, any info would help.

Indeed, SAT tests can be cancelled due to various unpredictable events such as extreme weather conditions, power outages, or, as we've seen in recent times, public health emergencies. In the case of a cancellation, College Board typically works to reschedule the testing date.

After the cancellation, College Board contacts affected students via email and may also update the central SAT page with the latest status on rescheduled testing. The communication will provide information about the rescheduled date, which is often a couple of weeks later, and what steps you will need to take, if any, to confirm your availability.

It's important to remember that cancellations are rare and are ultimately done for the safety and wellbeing of test takers and proctors. It's perfectly normal to feel stressed about it, but having a contingency plan in place could help alleviate some of the stress. For instance, if possible, plan to take the SAT more than once ahead of your college application deadlines, spreading out your test dates so you have ample time to retake if necessary. This can provide a buffer for any unforeseen cancellations.

Remember that colleges understand these circumstances as well and are usually flexible with deadline extensions for such reasons. You should communicate with your prospective colleges directly if you are affected by a test cancellation. They may encourage you to focus on other college application elements they value, such as your GPA, course rigor, extracurriculars, and essays.