Prospective students were surprised to find that Scholastic Aptitude Test centers in ten California cities were closed on Saturday.

The students were registered to take the test that day, but the decision to cancel the tests came shortly before Saturday. The reasons given were “disruptive construction, power outages and staff failures,” said the College Board, which oversees the SAT. The SAT is taken by high school students and is among the test scores that many colleges and universities still consider for admissions. However, the University of California and other schools no longer require it.

According to CollegeBoard, testing sites at high schools and colleges in Big Bear City, Elk Grove, Mammoth Lakes, Mcfarland, Cardiff, Fairfield, St. Helena, San Clemente, Turlock and Rocklin have been closed.

In a statement Monday, the College Board said it does not control the locations. “Ultimately, it is up to the testing centers to decide whether they can administer the SAT.”

When centers notify the College Board that they need to cancel a test date, the board checks nearby centers to find a way for students to take the test, the board said.

“Once the closure is confirmed, we will notify the students within 24 hours,” the board said, but noted that the decision to close the campuses was taken just before the exam date. He said this was frustrating the students.

The board said it is working with the centers to set make-up dates for the tests. According to the college board’s website, students can get their registration fees refunded.

SAT test dates 2024

Here are the remaining SAT dates for the 2024-25 school year:

• 05.10.2024 (registration deadline: 20.09.2024)

• 02.11.2024 (registration deadline: 18.10.2024)

• 07.12.2024 (registration deadline: 22.11.2024)

• 08.03.2025 (registration deadline: 21.02.2025)

• 03 May 2025 (registration deadline: 18 April 2025)

• 07 June 2025 (registration deadline: 22 May 2025)

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at [email protected] or 805-437-0232.

This article originally appeared in the Ventura County Star: SAT test dates 2024: 10 SAT test centers in California close abruptly