Spring 2021 Frequently Asked Questions for SAT with Essay, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 - Administration Updates

Oct 10, 2026

Spring 2021 administration guidance explains that PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 are eliminated for spring 2021 and will not be offered through schools due to passed College Board ordering deadlines, while districts may order for fall at their own expense. The SAT with Essay essay portion is also eliminated for spring 2021, including instructions for secure handling of essay materials and proctor adjustments. It confirms SAT requirements for spring 2022, coordinator training, answer-sheet guidance, score reporting timelines, and notes an exception process for certain irregularities from fall 2020 administrations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9

Spring 2021 status

Fall and future administration

SAT with Essay

Spring 2021 essay elimination

Materials and proctor instructions

Training for test coordinators

Score reporting timelines

Diploma Requirement and Grade 12 Students

Spring 2021 Frequently Asked Questions for SAT with Essay, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 Updated March 26, 2021 If you have a question not addressed in this FAQ, please write to [assessment@isbe.net](assessment@isbe.net). Thank you for your patience and flexibility as ISBE works to provide additional answers. PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 1. Question: What is the status of the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 administration for spring 2021? Answer: The PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 have been eliminated and will not be administered in spring 2021. 2. Question: May schools still offer PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10 in spring 2021? Answer: No. Based on College Board ordering deadlines for school-or district-funded April testing have passed and therefore spring testing is not available. However, schools may place orders for the fall administration of the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT beginning in June. Districts will need to purchase the assessment if they choose a Fall PSAT testing date. The College Board team is happy to support any schools that have questions about district funded ordering for fall and can be contacted at [ILSAT@collegeboard.org](ILSAT@collegeboard.org. Updated March)[.](ILSAT@collegeboard.org. Updated March)[ Updated March](ILSAT@collegeboard.org. Updated March) 26, 2021 3. Question: Will ISBE provide a fall 2021 administration of PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10? Answer: No, but districts that want to provide any College Board assessments in the fall may do so at their own expense. 4. Question: Will ISBE require a spring 2022 administration of PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10? Answer: Yes. SAT with Essay 1. Question: What is the status of the SAT with Essay administration for spring 2021? Answer: The essay portion of the SAT with Essay has been eliminated and will not be administered in spring 2021. 2. Question: What materials will schools receive regarding the SAT? Answer: All schools will still receive SAT with Essay materials because it is, unfortunately, too late to stop those materials from being shipped. Some documents posted on the ISBE website as well as the hard copy testing manuals used for testing will include information about the essay. 3. Question: May schools still administer the essay? Answer: No. ISBE eliminated the essay from its spring 2021 administration, which means that school staff are to keep essay books securely stored and return unused essay books along with other secure test materials after testing following the guidance in the SAT manual. 4. Question: What should proctors be aware of for preadministration sessions or on test day when instructing students to complete their answer sheets for SAT as opposed to SAT with Essay? Answer: On test day, proctors should post “SAT” on the board in the front of the room so that students are reminded of the Test Type. Students should place no marks on their answer sheet on pages 6-10. When completing the SAT School Day answer sheet, all students should grid “SAT” infield 9 (Test Type) to indicate the essay will not be administered. 5. Question: Will the essay be required in the ISBE-provided SAT in spring 2022? Answer: Yes. 6. Question: What training is required for test coordinators? Answer: All test coordinators are required to participate in training for the spring 2021 SAT. Information about how to access the training was sent to test coordinators from College Board on March 2, 2021. The required training makes references to SAT with Essay and also to PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 . Test coordinators are reminded to disregard references to the essay and also to PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9, as they are now eliminated. 7. Question: How must proctors adjust scripts in the manuals for standard testing now that the essay is eliminated? Answer: Detailed directions proctors must use to adjust scripts are posted at [www.isbe.net/Documents/spring-2021-SAT-scripts.pdf](www.isbe.net/Documents/spring-2021-SAT-scripts.pdf). 8. Question: How must proctors adjust scripts in the manuals for acc

FAQs

What is the status of the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 administration for spring 2021?

PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 have been eliminated and will not be administered in spring 2021.

Will schools be able to administer the SAT essay portion in spring 2021?

No. The essay portion of the SAT with Essay has been eliminated for spring 2021.

What is the score reporting timeline for students who test on April 13, 2021?

Scores will begin releasing in the College Board Reporting Portal on May 5, 2021.

Oct 10, 2026

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