NCAA Waives Standardized Testing Requirement Due to Coronavirus Restrictions

The NCAA is waiving its standardized test score requirement for student-athletes entering school for the 2020-21 school year due to a lack of testing opportunities because of the coronavirus pandemic, the governing body of college athletics announced on Friday.

As schools and college campuses closed, many of the final opportunities for current high school seniors to take their standardized tests were postponed and have not been rescheduled. Grade point average requirements, which mandate a 2.3 GPA in 10 core courses, will remain in place.

“The Eligibility Center is navigating the complexity of COVID-19 and its negative impact on our membership, high schools and student-athletes,” NCAA Eligibility Center vice president Felicia Martin said in a press release. “We understand this is an unprecedented situation and a difficult time for students and their parents, and the Eligibility Center is working diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for college-bound student-athletes and our member schools.”

Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke and football coach Pat Narduzzi had told Pittsburgh Sports Now  in recent weeks that the university had 2020 athletes that still needed to take a college entrance exam — either the SAT or ACT — in order to be eligible.

The change could additionally make it easier for athletes currently in the Class of 2021 to reclassify to 2020, if they are able to complete their coursework. Pitt basketball recruiting targets Will Jeffress and Adama Sanogo are both in that situation.