Where Can Students Even Take SAT/ACT Tests? The Problem of Test Site Availability

Where Can Students Even Take SAT/ACT Tests? The Problem of Test Site Availability

Where Can Students Even Take SAT/ACT Tests? The Problem of Test Site Availability

by SOS4Students’ Coach Maggie Henicle

Last year, many parents raised an important question: “Why is it so difficult to find a testing location for the SAT or ACT?” This year, the challenge remains—perhaps you’ve faced it too.

Even SOS4Students Director Beth Samuelson encountered difficulties when searching for convenient test times and locations for her own child. What should have been a simple process—choosing a test site and registering—quickly turned into an unexpectedly frustrating ordeal, reminding her (and us) that last year’s problems persist. (Want to know why there is a shortage? Check out our blog from last year: Register Your Student for the SAT Now!)

Everyone assumes the toughest part of the SAT or ACT is preparing for and taking the test. Ironically, one of the biggest hurdles comes long before that: just finding a place to take it.

Where Can Students Even Take SAT/ACT Tests

A Nationwide Problem: What the Experts Say

Locating a test site can’t be an isolated issue, right? To find out more, I reached out to an expert, Bara Sapir of City Test Prep, to get her take on the growing shortage of testing locations in the Bay Area. (Read more about Bara below.)

According to Bara, finding a testing location for the SAT or ACT has become a nationwide challenge. Here in California, there are currently very few testing centers—particularly in the Bay Area—forcing many students and families to travel long distances. To secure a spot, Bara recommends widening the search radius, which often means significant travel just to take the test.

Why Test Site Shortages Matter

The shortage of testing locations isn’t just inconvenient—it’s unfair to students and their families, effectively penalizing them for circumstances beyond their control.

  • Uncertainty around test center availability adds to the already high anxiety of taking the test.
  • Taking the test in an unfamiliar environment can heighten stress and potentially impact performance.
  • Longer travel times create additional financial and logistical burdens, with some families having to book overnight stays near testing sites.

Looking Ahead for Solutions

Despite all these challenges, Bara believes that standardized testing is here to stay. She notes that the transition to computer-based testing may eventually improve access. “It wouldn’t be surprising if SAT/ACT explored similar models” in the near future, she explains.

What can families do to navigate the current situation?

Bara offers some actionable advice:

  • Partner with Schools—Parents should work with school administrators to establish their own school as a testing site or collaborate with nearby schools to share resources.
  • Get Involved—Join PTA or parent advocacy groups to raise awareness and push for broader access to testing.
  • Plan—Research multiple testing locations and register as early as possible. Allow time for multiple sittings, since most students take the SAT or ACT more than once.
  • Prepare Beyond the Academics—Help your student build emotional resilience. Last-minute changes, site closures, or technical issues are becoming more common. Equipping students to handle uncertainty is just as important as helping them study for the test.

SAT Prep Support

While SOS4Students coaches and programs help students strengthen their academic performance, study strategies, and test-taking skills, SAT and ACT preparation is not our primary focus. If your student needs targeted support for these exams, we recommend checking out City Test Prep.

About Bara Sapir and City Test Prep

Bara Sapir is the founder of City Test Prep, which she launched in 2005 after more than a decade working in test prep, including six years at The Princeton Review. With more than 25 years in the field, she has helped thousands of students prepare for high-stakes admissions tests, including the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and more. City Test Prep is known for its integrative, results-driven approach—combining traditional test prep with mindset coaching, accelerated reading, and performance psychology—to help students perform at their best under pressure. Bara is also a founding member and former board member of the National Test Prep Association (NTPA), and she regularly consults on testing trends and how they impact students.