BAKERSFIELD, CA. — For some students, it's a wish come true - no standardized testing for college applications. But, the uncertainty can have a negative effect on the higher education rate in Kern County.

According to a local tutor from Tutoring Club of Bakersfield, students should prepare for anything if college is something they are looking forward to.

“SAT and ACTs will not be a requirement to apply but if we want to make the most compelling case for your student for the school of their dreams and the one that is going to take them places then we highly recommend you prepare as if it will happen," said Liam Powers, Tutoring Club of Bakersfield.

The spring dates for the SAT and ACT college admissions exams were canceled. Only the ACT has been rescheduled for June 13. The change means some students won't have the opportunity to re-take the test multiple times before applying for colleges.

“In general, for students who were really on the cusp of not enjoying school, maybe having a high absentee rate, or think school is ‘not for them’ they were right on that edge and this is something that will probably push students over that edge because they’ve been removed from their environment for last two months," said Powers.

According to a study by AdvisorSmith, only 5.8% of the Bakersfield population have a graduate or higher education degree. A percentage that could go down after this pandemic.