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District of Columbia to Offer Free SAT to All High School Seniors and Juniors

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

As a part of its mission to increase student access to college opportunities, the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced today that it will host a free “SAT School Day” for all District public high school juniors and seniors. The SAT will be offered to seniors on October 15, 2014 and to juniors on February 25, 2015. Resources offered during SAT School Day include the Official SAT Online Course™, the Official SAT Practice Test, and free SAT practice tools.

“For the second year in a row, more than 7,000 students in all of DC public and public charter schools will be offered the opportunity to take the college-entrance exam onsite and during the school day at each of our 41 high schools,” said State Superintendent Jesús Aguirre. “SAT School Day reduces test-day stress, increases participation, and helps prepare students for the next step in their academic journey.”

The SAT School Day benefits students in many ways:

  • Testing on a school day in familiar surroundings means students don’t have to juggle competing work or family obligations;
  • Because they are testing in their own school, students can use the same transportation as on any school day;
  • Students do not have to try to locate an unfamiliar testing site; and
  • Students are more likely to know and trust the staff administering the test.

Benefits of the SAT School Day for colleges and universities include:

  • An increased and diversified pool of college-ready students to help achieve their enrollment goals;
  • More student names available in Student Search Service; and
  • More prospective students one step closer to completing their college applications.

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and OSSE launched the initiative in 2014. During that time, 5,095 students took the free SAT. Students can register for the SAT online with vouchers obtained from registration coordinators at their school. The voucher will cover this year’s $52.50 exam fee.

In addition to SAT School Day, OSSE continues to ensure college is more accessible for every District student by eliminating financial pressures that serve as barriers to success. Last month the state education agency was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to provide free access to Advanced Placement (AP) exams for  low-income public school students in the District and increase the number of students receiving college credit while still in high school.

“Student access to college entrance exams is a critical first step to ensuring all students are able to pursue postsecondary education, which in the long term contributes to the strengthening of the District’s workforce, ” said Antoinette S. Mitchell, PhD, Assistant Superintendent of Postsecondary and Career Education.