High School Juniors Should Consider the ACT and SAT Even if Colleges are “Test-Optional”
There are many questions surrounding standardized testing, specifically whether current juniors should prepare for and take the ACT and SAT tests. Articles like this one tell students in their opening sentences that if they are applying to Stanford, they “can stop studying for standardized tests” because the college is not requiring them. While many students and parents feel that it would be great to avoid preparing for the ACT and SAT, lines like these do not tell the full story. Here are factors to consider when deciding whether or not to take standardized tests as part of your college admissions strategy.
Some Colleges and Universities Still Require Standardized Test Scores.
Certain universities are requiring standardized tests from applicants. Some state universities, including the University of Florida and the University of Georgia, currently require test scores. Students should check the testing policy of each college on their list.
Understand the Difference Between “Test-Optional” and “Test-Blind.”
It is important to know the testing policy of the colleges that your student is considering. “Test-optional” means that a college will consider the standardized test scores from students who choose to submit them. Other schools are “test-blind” which means that the college will not consider any standardized test scores as part of the admissions process. As an example, the University of California system has gone test-blind, meaning they will not consider standardized test scores. At Cornell University, three of its undergraduate colleges are test-blind and will not consider scores, while the others are test-optional. Students can check sources like Fairtest.org to see a list of colleges that have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies.
Why a Junior Should Consider Taking the ACT or SAT?
Although many colleges have adopted test-optional policies, if a student can achieve a strong test score, it may be a helpful factor in admissions. What is a strong test score? Students need to research the test score range of colleges that interest them. Colleges typically report an ACT or SAT score range that is the middle 50%, meaning that the low score in the range is the 25% of admitted students and the high score is at the 75% of admitted students.
Applicants should confirm if their standardized test score is within the range and, ideally, at the top end of the range to be helpful for their application. Most colleges and universities report their standardized test score ranges on their websites. For example, Princeton reports that for the Class of 2025, the middle 50% for enrolled students for the SAT is 740-800 for Math and 710-770 for Reading and Writing, and the range of composite ACT scores is 32-35. Notice that Princeton is reporting the score range for enrolled students which may be different from the range of admitted students. For some colleges, the range for admitted students may be higher. Applicants should verify which range is being reported.
Understand the differences between the ACT and SAT.
Generally both the SAT and ACT test reading comprehension, grammar, and math. The ACT has a science section which the SAT does not. Generally, timing is tighter on the ACT. The SAT has 154 questions while the ACT has 215. The timing of the tests is similar with the SAT taking 3 hours and the ACT (without writing) lasting 2 hours and 55 minutes.
What is the Recommended Strategy for ACT and SAT Testing?
Here are some tips for preparing for the ACT or SAT
Depending on the student and their college goals, at the end of sophomore year or the beginning of junior year, they should take a practice ACT and/or SAT test to determine which test is a better fit for them. Here is a tool from ACT to compare scores on each test.
Prepare for either the ACT or SAT by using the free resources provided by ACT.org or Collegeboard.org.
Students can also take a class or work with a tutor to study for the test.
Plan to take the test more than once because it often takes more than one sitting to get a score that is representative of the student’s ability.
Register early for test dates in your area as test centers can fill up.
Research whether colleges on your list allow super scoring and/or require students to submit all of their test scores.
Remember that standardized testing is just one part of a student’s college application materials. Trying to achieve a test score that reflects their ability is a good strategy, but not getting a certain score does not automatically disqualify a student from applying to most colleges.
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