Dear Rising Seniors, Rising Upper Mids, and Families, 
 
As the pandemic has changed so much about School and our day-to-day lives, it is also affecting standardized testing. In the Academic Life Office and the College Advising Office, we realize this is very much on your minds, particularly for rising seniors. 
 
Many of the schools to which you will want to apply do still require standardized testing. While there has been an increasing trend in colleges and universities going test-optional, that is by no means true across the board (see resources at the bottom of this communication for more information).
 
Please read below for an update on what we know today about testing dates and some recommendations. Note that action is required by the families of rising seniors to register for the upcoming August 29 SAT test date.
SAT Testing

Test Date
Location
August 29
National Test Date - not administered at Hotchkiss / should be taken locally
Potential Date*: September 23
A test for Hotchkiss students only may be added (tbd)
September 26
National Test Date - administered at Hotchkiss
October 3
National Test Date - administered at Hotchkiss
Potential Date*: 
October 14
A test for Hotchkiss students only may be added (tbd)
November 7
National Test Date - administered at Hotchkiss
December 5
National Test Date - administered at Hotchkiss

National Test Dates - Administered at Hotchkiss
Ordinarily, these tests are not limited to Hotchkiss students. They are open to any student from any school who registers. Under the circumstances of the pandemic, however, the School is investigating the option of limiting these test dates to Hotchkiss students only. We will provide further information closer to the test dates. 
 
*Potential Additional Test Dates - Sept. 23 and Oct. 14
We are evaluating the possibility of adding one or both of these additional test dates for seniors, if needed. If these dates are added, please note that registration will be managed internally rather than through the SAT website. We will provide further communication in the event these dates are added. 
 
FOR RISING SENIORS - YOUR ACTION IS REQUIRED
 
August 29 test: Given the open questions about the fall calendar and when students will be able to return to campus, we recommend that rising seniors register to take the August 29 test at a location near your home . In the event students are asked to be back on campus on or before August 29, the School will be flexible about your actual return date to allow you to sit for the test. Registration for this test begins soon. 
ACT Testing

Test Date
Location
September 12*
National ACT Date - expected to be administered at Berkshire School
Potential Date:
October 6**
A District Test Date, to be administered at Hotchkiss, may be added (tbd)
October 24*
National ACT Date - expected to be administered at Salisbury School
December 12*
National ACT Date - expected to be administered at Millbrook School

*Testing dates at Berkshire, Salisbury, and Millbrook
The dates outlined above are currently planned. However, these schools are also intensively focused on their fall reopening plans and on providing safe testing environments. Therefore, these dates and locations are subject to change.   
 
**Potential Additional Test Date - October 6
As with the SAT, we are evaluating the possibility of adding an additional District Test, if needed, to ensure adequate access to testing given the cancellation of dates in April and June. If this date is added, please note that registration will be managed internally rather than through the ACT website. We will provide further communication in the event this date is added.
 
A MESSAGE TO RISING UPPER MIDS
 
We recommend that you begin testing after January 1, 2021 . Please do not plan to sit for test dates this fall. There are ample opportunities to test after January 1, 2021; by beginning your testing after January 2021, you will have six or seven tests (both SAT and ACT) for the admissions cycle in 2021-2022.
 
We are asking that you refrain from testing during the fall because we anticipate that testing capacity may be limited due to social-distancing protocols. It is important that we keep as much space open for seniors as possible. The fall testing dates are critical for seniors since all spring test dates were canceled this year. If we sense that space issues will be less acute in the fall than we are expecting, we will update you.
 
Again, we recommend that you wait until January to begin testing. However, if you feel compelled to take the SAT sooner, please register to take the August 29 test at a test site near home. Please keep in mind that if you are expected to be back on campus before the August SAT, you may not have the flexibility to leave campus for this test or for other National Test Dates later in the fall.
PSAT Testing

Test Date Location
October 28
Administered at Hotchkiss

The School is pleased to have been able to shift a previously scheduled test date, which would likely have been canceled, to October 28 to allow the PSAT to be offered on campus this fall. 
 
Additional resources
Please contact the Academic Life Office or the College Advising Office if you have any questions or concerns about the testing dates we have outlined. We encourage you to bookmark the sites above and check them regularly for updates. We will continue to provide updated information as we receive it. 
 
The college application process is stressful in any year, and the pandemic certainly adds some complexity. However, please know that there will be ample testing opportunities for every student, and that we are here for you every step of the way. 
 
Sincerely yours,
 
Rick Hazelton P'19,'22
Director of College Advising
 
Jared Hall
Dean of Academic Life
 
Laurie Grusauski
Testing Coordinator 

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The Hotchkiss School , 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039-2141,  (860) 435-2591