Latest news with #ScholasticAssessmentTest
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Stanford brings back SAT, ACT scores for Fall 2026 admissions: What students need to know
Stanford University has confirmed that standardised test scores will once again be a mandatory part of its undergraduate admissions process, beginning with the Fall 2026 application cycle. The move, which reverses a pandemic-era test-optional policy introduced in 2021, means applicants must now submit either Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) scores for their applications to be considered complete. The university's updated admissions criteria, published this week, also state that legacy status will continue to be considered in the selection process, even as California moves to restrict the practice in institutions that accept public funds. The dual announcements are reshaping how students, especially those applying from California, may approach one of the country's most competitive university admissions processes. SAT, ACT scores now required again Stanford's shift back to requiring test scores follows a faculty-led review which found a meaningful correlation between standardised test performance and academic outcomes at the university. In an earlier statement, the university clarified that test scores are viewed as only one element in its holistic admissions process, and that there is no defined minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) or test score for applicants. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'Academic potential remains the primary lens through which applications are evaluated,' the university wrote in a previous public update, according to The Stanford Daily . It added that standardised test scores can serve as a useful signal of preparedness when reviewed alongside school grades, course rigor, recommendation letters, and personal essays. According to The Stanford Daily, Brad Howard, associate vice president for University communications, noted in an email that the decision was timed to allow prospective students sufficient time to prepare. For current high school students planning to apply in the upcoming cycle, this reinstated requirement may affect how they prioritise test prep and application timelines in the coming months. What this means for applicants For students who began high school under a test-optional landscape, the return of SAT and ACT scores as required materials may present both a strategic and psychological shift. Applicants will now need to balance academic coursework, extracurriculars, and essays with the added pressure of standardised test preparation. Still, the university has emphasised that scores are considered in context. Students from schools with limited access to test preparation resources or those facing personal challenges during testing may use the additional components of the application to present a fuller picture of their background and potential. It is worth noting that many peer institutions, including MIT and Yale, have also recently reinstated test score requirements, citing similar research on academic performance and equity, as noted by The Stanford Daily . This suggests that standardised testing may be regaining influence in elite admissions, even as national debates about access and fairness continue. Legacy admissions policy remains In a separate but closely related development, Stanford also announced that it will continue considering legacy status, that is, whether an applicant has family members who attended the university, despite the passage of Assembly Bill 1780 in California. The new legislation prohibits universities that receive state-funded financial aid from giving admissions preference based on legacy or donor connections. According to The Stanford Daily , to comply with this law without changing its admissions approach, Stanford will withdraw from the Cal Grant program, a state-funded initiative that supports college costs for qualifying California residents. Instead, the university has committed to covering financial aid using its own institutional funds, ensuring that eligible students continue to receive support. For students, the return of testing makes early planning more important than ever. Whether that means registering for fall test dates, seeking out preparation resources, or understanding how your scores fit into a broader application strategy, the key is to stay informed and begin preparing early. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Registration for 1st SAT exam of 2025 ends soon, see important dates
The College Board will close registrations for the first Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) 2025 soon. Eligible candidates who are interested to apply for the test can submit their forms at Registration for 1st SAT exam of 2025 ends soon (Representational image)(Unsplash) The first SAT of 2025 is scheduled for August 23, and the application window will close on August 8. Important dates Exam date Registration deadline Deadline for changes, regular cancellation, and late registration August 23 August 8 August 12 September 13 August 29 September 2 October 4 September 19 September 23 November 8 October 24 October 28 December 6 November 21 November 25 View All Prev Next To check SAT 2026 test dates, click here. The August 2025 SAT scorecards will be released on September 5. Meenakshi Kachroo Chatta, Senior Director & Regional Head, South & Central Asia at College Board, said, 'With the 2025–26 application cycle now underway, we're seeing renewed momentum around the SAT among Indian students aiming for both global and Indian universities. "The digital SAT has made the test more accessible, flexible, and aligned with how students learn and test today. As students gear up for the August exam, we encourage them to start early, use official prep tools, and approach the test with confidence. At College Board, we remain focused on ensuring that every motivated student regardless of background has the opportunity to put their best foot forward.' The board said students who require a device for the digital SAT need to make a request at least 30 days before the test date. 'The College Board Device Lending Program ensures no student is held back due to lack of access to technology.' Eligible students can also apply for the India Scholars Programme, which offers up to 90 per cent off on SAT registration for students from low-income backgrounds and access to merit-based scholarships at partner Indian universities. The board also offers free practice tests through Khan Academy and digital mock tests via the Bluebook™ app. The SAT® exam is accepted by more than 50 Indian institutions and over 4,000 universities and colleges globally. Candidates can check the official website for further details.
NDTV
3 days ago
- General
- NDTV
SAT Registration Begins For Admission To UG Programs, Register Here
SAT Registration 2025: The College Board has started the registration process for the August 23 Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)-which is used as an assessment for admission to Undergraduate (UG) programs. The schedule for all the examinations has also been released. Candidates can check the schedule on the official website of the board, SAT is widely accepted at universities globally, especially in the US, Canada, and increasingly in other countries. SAT Registration 2025: How To Register For SAT 2025? Visit the official website, Go to the "SAT" section. Click on "Register Now" and then click on "Create Account". You will be required to enter your personal, general, academic details and more. After submitting the details, you will be successfully registered for the test. SAT Registration 2025: Important Dates The registration for the August 23 SAT has been started and will end on August 8, 2025. Students will be able to make changes, cancel their registration until August 12, 2025. Here are the details of the other SAT examinations scheduled for the 2025-26 testing year. SAT Test Date Last Date For Registration Last Date For Making Changes Aug 23, 2025 Aug 8, 2025 Aug 12, 2025 Sep 13, 2025 Aug 29, 2025 Sep.2, 2025 Oct. 4, 2025 Sept. 19, 2025 Sept. 23, 2025 Nov. 8, 2025 Oct. 24, 2025 Oct. 28, 2025 Dec. 6, 2025 Nov. 21, 2025 Nov. 25, 2025 March 14, 2026 Feb. 27, 2026 March 3, 2026 May 2, 2026 Apr. 17, 2026 April 21, 2026 June 6, 2026 May 22, 2026 May 26, 2026
NDTV
17-07-2025
- General
- NDTV
Explained: Why China's Gaokao Is Considered The World's Toughest Exam
The Gaokao exam, considered one of the toughest in the world, requires students to take extreme measures to achieve top scores - including "use of IV drips, meant to help them concentrate while studying", "teenage girls taking contraceptives to delay their periods until after the test", and enduring poor quality and quantity of sleep, according to South China Morning Post (SCMP). What is Gaokao and How Did It Get So Hard? Gaokao, a Chinese word meaning "high test," refers to the National Higher Education Entrance Examination. It is typically conducted every June and lasts about 10 hours over multiple days. The Gaokao examination tests three main subjects- Mathematics, Chinese Language and a Foreign Language and three other subjects specific to the students' education and career goals. The other subjects are chosen from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Politics, History and Geography. As per the South China Morning Post, some questions that have appeared in the recent Mathematics examinations were considered beyond high school level. In mainland China, Gaokao is the only exam that determines whether a student can get into a university or not. College entrance exams around the world are divided into two main categories - assessment and selective examinations. Assessment examinations such as the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) examination is US reflect the overall academic knowledge of the students, while selective examinations like China's Gaokao and "suneung" in South Korea help select students directly for top universities. More than 10 million candidates have appeared for the GAOKAO examinations since 2019 and in 2024, of the 13.4 million candidates who took the test, only 40 per cent could score enough to get admission in university. There are 2,820 higher education institutions in China and of them, only 115 have been included in Project 211, a program that determines the Institute's excellence in education. Getting admission into these universities is expected to help students secure a bright future ahead. The national average acceptance rate at Project 211 schools is only 5 per cent, meaning that in 2024, each of the top 115 universities admitted, on average, just 5,800 students out of 13.4 million applicants. On an average, Chinese students spent 60 hours per week studying and some even stop going to Middle school to solely focus on their Gaokao exam with the help of private tutor. The pressure of Gaokao begins early, often in middle school, and is known to cause severe stress, anxiety, and depression. More than half of the students who committed suicide in Shenzen, China did so while under extreme pressure, as per the report published by Shenzen's bureau of education.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Fragile bones can't hurt his unbreakable resolve
1 2 Surat: His videos have been viewed over 400 million times online, he raised $4 million for various non-profits, he holds the Guinness World Record for the longest raised leg hold — two hours — and has travelled to nine countries to scored 1580 out of 1600 in the Scholastic Assessment Test, the standardized test for admission to colleges in the US and this week, he finished his Baccalaureate in Interdisciplinary Music Studies with a perfect 4 CGPA at the world's top music college, Berklee College of Music in with 35 fractures and having suffered over 150 fractures so far, Sparsh Shah has undergone several surgeries. He has eight titanium-iron rods and 22 screws in his body. He underwent four eye surgeries, resulting in reduced vision in one eye and weeks of rest, but he completed his graduation in time with flying was born with osteogenesis imperfecta — the disorder made famous in the 2000 Bruce Willis starrer 'Unbreakable', is colloquially called brittle bone disease .His parents initially feared even touching him. That was how he got his name, Sparsh, meaning 'touch'. He may be physically challenged, but his hard work and passion have moved mountains. At the age of 22, he has achieved goals that are nigh impossible for fully able persons as well."Impossible is actually 'I'm possible'. We must understand the true meaning," Sparsh told TOI over the phone from the US. "I want to produce original music and inspire people to work hard. One just needs to decide and start working."There were cheers when Sparsh went forward to accept his degree at his graduation. His parents, Hiren and Jigisha, who encouraged him and cared for him, beamed with pride at his graduation."We are blessed to have Sparsh in our lives. With him, we get the energy to keep going and do positive things in life. He is our source of inspiration and through him, we can inspire the world," a proud Hiren from Surat, and now senior officials in American companies, Hiren and Jigisha moved to the US 22 years ago. "Sparsh is God's gift to us, and we are blessed to be able to share this gift with the world," said Jigisha.
