On the one hand, you should not stress too much about your scores. They are only one element of the entire application, and other elements are generally more important. Based on the most recent annual survey by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), only 5% of colleges and universities view scores on the standardized tests to be of “considerable importance”. Bear in mind, more colleges and universities cite grades in college prep courses (77%). And the strength of the high school curriculum (63.8%) as “considerably important.”  For more detail, please visit our post on why grades and rigor matter the most in college admissions.

Do my ACT or SAT scores matter? Less than you think, but more than you’d like.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the vast majority of colleges and universities have gone completely test optional. Originally, colleges made this change for very practical reasons:  many students simply were unable to take the tests at the time.

However, for many schools, the decision to go test optional was also a strategic one:  it made it easier for students to apply with lower test scores. The result was that more and more students applied to all sorts of universities–especially the ones at the top of the US News rankings. The effect for colleges was two-fold.  First, they did receive more applications from a wider range of students who might not have ever applied. Students with top grades and tons of human potential from low-performing high schools applied to the Ivy League and other top schools, and these schools were finally able to select from an expanded pool.  And the Ivies (and others) did choose kids from this pool, catapulting kids into the upper echelons of American society overnight.

Test Optional Increases Colleges Reported Test Score Range

Second, test optional policies also allowed schools to manipulate their rankings a bit. Only kids with tippy top scores submitted them, while others with average or below average scores did not. Colleges then reported the average test scores of applicants and matriculants to the ranking agencies–and these averages magically went up!  With the lower scores no longer submitted, some schools made multiple point gains in their average test scores during the pandemic.  Effectively, the policy led to cherry-picking through the willful participation of students.

Nevertheless, test “optional” does not mean the same as “test blind”. The University of California does not consider scores at all. These schools are completely test “blind:”  no one submits them ever.  But admissions offices with “test optional” policies are delighted when you send them high test scores, and most schools will consider you seriously if you have SAT or ACT scores above the median of their reported test range.

Good ACT or SAT scores will help if your GPA is below average

This is especially true if your grades are less than stellar. If you have poor grades, a high score can give an admissions officer some evidence that you are capable of doing college level work, especially at the more selective schools. You clearly have a better chance of admission with a set of high test scores–especially if you come from an expensive private or boarding school, or if you attend outstanding suburban high schools noted for their educational quality and the range of academic opportunities afforded their students.

Thus, if you have opportunity, prepare for and take the SAT or ACT tests.

Do my test scores matter if I want to apply to the Ivy League?

In a word, yes.

And for the proof that test scores still matter, one has only to look at the Common Data Set of some of the most selective universities. Both Brown and Dartmouth listed test scores as “very important” factors in admission.  Even Harvard, which says that ALL factors are “considered” in admission (neither important nor unimportant, but simply “considered”) ,includes test scores as one of the many factors that are part of their admissions process. The reality is that at the most competitive colleges and universities (with some exceptions, like the U of California system) still want you to have high test scores if you can present them on the application.

If you want to look at a full list of schools that are currently “test optional” or “test blind,” head on over to Fair Test, a non-profit organization that promotes the elimination of the standardized tests in the admissions process.

Do my ACT or SAT scores matter if I need financial aid?

Definitely.

Let’s start from this premise:  colleges and universities are businesses.  In order to operate, they need money.  Thus customers who can pay the full price of admission are highly desired in the admissions process.  And while it is true that many of the wealthiest universities in the country (e.g., the Ivy League) are generous with the students for whom they provide financial aid, the fact is that the majority of students in the Ivy League pay full price.

So when it comes to giving out financial aid, colleges tend to be more picky about whom they give that money to. Therefore, the more evidence an applicant provides that they are worthy of that money, the more likely that applicant is to receive it.

And a test score is evidence.  Very solid evidence. 

Good ACT and SAT scores increase your odds of receiving merit aid

These scores matter even more when it comes to the awarding of financial aid and merit-based scholarships. Nearly all universities will give preferential treatment (read: more money) to those students who have both good grades and high test scores. Many colleges and universities key their merit-based scholarships directly to test scores. The higher the score, the more scholarships you may receive.

So from a dollars and cents perspective, spending a bit of money to raise your SAT or ACT score a few points higher may mean thousands more dollars in scholarships from certain universities. In some cases, even a single point on your ACT composite score can mean the difference between a scholarship of $5000 per year and $10,000 per year. If you do the math, this means that you could get $20,000 more free money for higher education just by studying a bit harder for the tests. Investments in test prep can repay themselves handsomely, depending on which colleges or universities you may be targeting.

Oh, and this is in addition to getting in:  if you want the money, you have to get in first. And a high test score–as explained–can help you do just that.

Bottom line: Your ACT or SAT scores matter

While standardized tests are not the only factor in college admissions, they do matter a lot. The more selective the university, the more they matter.

And if you’re looking for financial aid or merit-based scholarships, your scores on these tests may make the difference between affordable and unaffordable.
So don’t neglect to prepare. A better score means more and better options for you as you continue to navigate the entire college selection and admissions process.

How do I know whether my test scores matter for me?

While it’s great to read general principles here, you may still be wondering whether your tests scores really matter in your case.

• How do your test scores compare to other factors?
• Will a particular score help you or hurt you when applying to a specific college?  
• How do you know whether to submit those scores or not?  
• Should you take the test again?  

The expert college admissions counselors at Great College Advice can help you navigate the uncertain waters of the entire college preparation, selection, and application process.  We can help you place your own test scores in the proper perspective and help you develop a strategy for admissions to the schools on your list.  

If you need help interpreting your scores, finding a great test prep tutor, or developing a strategy of which test you should take in order to be competitive for your preferred colleges and universities, give us a call or contact us.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other.

The post Do ACT or SAT Scores Matter? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

SAT. ACT. SAT2. TOEFL. PSAT. PLAN.

These tests loom large in the college admissions process. And no other aspect of the process generates as many questions—and anxieties—as the standardized tests.

On the one hand, you should not tress too much about your scores. They are only one element of the entire application, and other elements are generally more important. Based on an annual survey by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), only 53.3% of colleges and universities view scores on the standardized tests to be of “considerable importance”. More colleges and universities cite grades in college prep courses (81.5%). And the strength of the high school curriculum (63.7%) as “considerably important.” (Figures are from the State of College Admissions 2014).

Test Optional

Furthermore, a growing number of colleges and universities are going “test optional” in their admissions process. According to Fair Test, a non-profit organization that promotes the elimination of the standardized tests in the admissions process. More than 850 colleges and universities now deemphasize the tests in their admissions process. This list includes some of the most selective colleges in the United States.

Among the top 50 national universities (as ranked by US News and World Report). Both Wake Forest University and Brandeis University are completely test optional. Also, New York University and the University of Rochester are “test flexible” (they allow students to pick and choose which test scores to send).

Among the top 50 liberal arts colleges, 17 are test optional. Including Bowdoin, Smith, Wesleyan University, Bates, Bryn Mawr, College of the Holy Cross. Along with Mount Holyoke, Pitzer, Skidmore, Union College (NY), Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall, Trinity College (CT). And Bard, Connecticut College, Sewanee-University of the South, and Gettysburg are all test optional.

Four other liberal arts colleges are “test flexible:” Middlebury, Hamilton, Colby, and Colorado College.

So if your scores are not stellar. There are still ways to be academically competitive at some of the best colleges and universities in the country.

Nevertheless, these test scores do matter, both for admission and for the awarding of financial aid and scholarships. Therefore, it is worth your time and energy (and your money, probably) to prepare well for them so that you can get the highest score possible.

To continue with some statistics. Only 2.2% of the nation’s colleges and universities say that the standardized tests have “no importance” (again, according to NACAC’s State of College Admission 2014).

Having High Test Scores

From the admissions perspective, more schools will consider you seriously if you have high scores. If you have lousy grades, a high score can give an admissions officer some evidence that you are capable of doing college level work. If you have lousy test scores, on the other hand. Even the A+ student will have some difficulty in demonstrating they have a strong command of English grammar and basic computational skills. Especially at the more selective schools. Including the Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT. You clearly have a better chance of admission with a set of high test scores.

Financial Aid Impact

These scores matter even more when it comes to the awarding of financial aid and merit-based scholarships. Nearly all universities will give preferential treatment (read: more money) to those students who have both good grades and high test scores. Many colleges and universities key their merit-based scholarships directly to test scores. The higher the score, the more scholarships you may receive.

So from a dollars and cents perspective, spending a bit of money to raise your ACT score a few points higher may mean thousands more dollars in scholarships from certain universities. In some cases, even a single point on your ACT composite score can mean the difference between a scholarship of $5000 per year and $10,000 per year. If you do the math, this means that you could get $20,000 more free money for higher education just by studying a bit harder for the tests. Investments in test prep can repay themselves handsomely, depending on which colleges or universities you may be targeting.

Bottom line: 

While standardized tests are not the only factor in college admissions, they do matter a lot. The more selective the university, the more they matter.

And if you’re looking for financial aid or merit-based scholarships, your scores on these tests may make the difference between affordable and unaffordable.
So don’t neglect to prepare. A better score means more and better options for you as you continue to navigate the entire college selection and admissions process.

If you need help interpreting your scores, finding a great test prep tutor, or developing a strategy of which test you should take in order to be competitive for your preferred colleges and universities, give us a call or contact us through this website.

The post Do My Test Scores Matter? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Studying for Standardized Test Tricks

However, a new study by researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara has found that the practices of meditation and mindfulness training just might help students when it comes to taking tests.

A recent New York Times article explains that the Santa Barbara researchers conducted a two week-intensive study. In which undergraduate students went through an intensive mindfulness training program. And as a result found that their “mind-wandering decreased and their working memory capacity improved.” These students also performed better on a reading comprehension test portion of the G.R.E. These researchers have also recently worked with some local high school students to see if the results could be repeated using the SAT.

While of course there are many questions being asked of this study (such as how long do the effects last) the next time you are getting ready for a standardized test it might not hurt to give meditation a try. Just remember, it should never replace test preparation or practice, only add to it. Even if it doesn’t help your score it might help you take some of the stress of the tests away.
 
 
Great College Advice

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Do you need to take SAT Subject Tests?

Every college has different standardized testing requirements and only selected schools require that you take SAT Subject Tests.  At schools where the SAT II’s are required, the Subject Tests are generally asked for when the student chooses to submit his/her SAT score rather than his/her ACT score.  The schools want the extra tests so that the student can show knowledge in a specific subject area.  Typically, if the student is submitting the ACT score rather than the SAT results, then no additional Subject Tests are required.  This is because presumably the ACT has already tested those subject areas.  

Even so, a handful of the most competitive schools (e.g., Princeton) still require submission of SAT Subject tests whether the SAT or the ACT is the main standardized test submitted.  So, do you need to take the SAT IIs?  If you’re not sure where you are going to apply, you should absolutely take them to keep your options open.

 When should you take the SAT Subject Tests?

Subject Tests are best to take right after you have taken a course in the test subject area.  Typically, this would be in the late spring of either your sophomore or junior year, though it is not out of the ordinary for students to take a Subject Test after their freshman year if they have learned the material during the course of the school year.   In general, Subject Tests should not be delayed until the senior year because getting up to speed on the material will be much more difficult at that time.  Plus, many students prefer to leave the senior year open to re-take their SAT or ACT, if they feel it is necessary.

When can you take the SAT Subject Tests?

With just a few exceptions, the SAT Subject Tests are offered on the same dates as the regular SATs.  They are offered 6 times per year, typically in:  January, May, June, October, November, and December.  Note that not all subject areas are offered on every test date, so check to see when the tests for the subjects that are of interest to you are available.

How many SAT Subject Tests do you need to take? 

As I mentioned before, each college has its own testing requirements.  Typically, schools that ask for the SAT IIs request that you submit scores from two different tests.  Some colleges, however, may ask for just one, while a few others may require three.  Still others may simply “recommend” that you submit some number of SAT Subject Tests, but they don’t require them for the application to be complete.  Generally, if you’ve done reasonably well on the Subject Tests, you should choose to submit them even if they are only recommended.  The extra information will help admissions officers to make a more informed decision about you.

The SAT IIs are offered in 20 subject areas:

• English Literature
• U.S. History
• World History
• Math Level 1 – basic algebra and geometry
• Math Level 2 – includes pre-calculus and trigonometry
• Biology – Ecological
• Biology – Molecular
• Chemistry
• Physics
• French
• French with Listening
• German
• German with Listening
• Spanish
• Spanish with Listening
• Modern Hebrew
• Italian
• Latin
• Chinese with Listening
• Japanese with Listening
• Korean with Listening

Which SAT Subject Tests should you take?

You should plan on taking tests in whichever subjects you feel you will perform the most strongly and which are consistent with your college academic interests.  If you have aspirations of pursuing a certain course of study in college, then you should most definitely plan on taking the Subject Test which covers that discipline.  For example, a student who wants to be a scientist and indicates this on his/her college applications shouldn’t then submit Subject Tests in English and World History!  That student should most definitely be taking a science-related Subject Tests.
In certain cases, if you are applying to a selected school within a university, you may have to submit a specific Subject Test (e.g., an engineering program may require you to send in a Math Level 2 score).  So, always be sure that you identify as early as possible what the specific requirements are of the schools in which you are interested, and plan your testing accordingly.

How long is each SAT Subject Test?

Each SAT Subject Test lasts for one hour.  A student can sign up to take up to three SAT Subject Tests in any one sitting.

Where do I sign up for the SAT Subject Tests?

The SAT Subject Tests are offered by The College Board who also administers the SATs.  Go to www.collegeboard.or to sign up.  The College Board website also has sample SAT Subject Test questions and tests to help you prepare.
The SAT Subject Tests should be an integral part of your college standardized testing plan.  Colleges who request these tests use them as additional data points to assess your candidacy at their school.  This means, as with all testing, you should be sure to prepare well for these exams so that you can put your best foot forward.  (Of course, if you’re interested in checking out some schools where testing is optional, see my colleague Juliet’s post here.)

How do colleges use the SAT Subject Tests?

Just as with most every other piece of application data, each school will have a different philosophy and approach to how it uses the SAT Subject Test scores.  Many will simply utilize the scores as an additional piece of application data to understand what kind of a candidate you are and whether you will fit at their institution.  Some schools, however, will use the scores for placement in college courses.  Others may use the scores for merit scholarship qualification.  Still others may provide you with college credit if your scores are particularly high.  The bottom line is, how schools use these tests is not generalizable, so it’s best to try to research how the schools that you will be applying to will evaluate them.
 
Andrea Aronson
College Admissions Consultant
Westfield, NJ

The post What Do I Need to Know About SAT Subject Tests? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

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Option A: Exposure to the entire range of human knowledge will provide you with valuable perspectives as you define your personal and professional identity over a lifetime. Study of the liberal arts provides our students with the range of abilities required to adapt to the rapidly changing global culture and economy. To build those perspectives, Clark students often weave seemingly different disciplines into their educational experiences in imaginative ways. How might you want to compliment your primary academic interest with other fields of study so that you benefit from the possibilities offered by a liberal arts education?

Don’t worry if you didn’t pick up on it.  It’s a commonly confused word.  The word “compliment” is used incorrectly. Read that part again.  You don’t want to say nice things to your primary academic interest!  Well, maybe you do, but that’s not really what Clark University wants to know.  They want to know how other fields of study will round out your educational experience.  The question should have read:  “How might you want to complement your primary academic interest with other fields of study…..”
 
Most students reading this question would understand what Clark was going for and answer it appropriately. So, no harm done.  But, the irony is definitely there!   An institution of higher learning that is going to be evaluating students’ SAT verbal abilities and judging their essays is the one that is making the linguistic blunder.
 
What should we make of this? Probably not too much.  We know that Clark is a wonderful institution that offers students an excellent education and terrific overall college experience.  Somehow, a mistake was made on their on-line Common App Supplement, but that doesn’t change the kind of a place that the school is.  Certainly, we all get tripped up sometimes.  Now, we know that even colleges and universities aren’t perfect.  And that’s OK.  We all make mistakes.  We can only hope that admissions offices say the same thing when they review student applications!
 
***UPDATE:  We contacted Clark University to let them know about the little word usage “oops” on their Common App Supplement.  Don Honeman, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Clark University, acknowledged the error and thanked us for bringing it to his attention.  The question on the Supplement is now fixed and reads properly.
 
Andrea Aronson
Educational Consultant in Westfield, New Jersey
 
 
 
 

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For more information and advice on standardized testing, please visit the resources section of our website. If we can answer questions you have regarding the ACT or the SAT, please let us know!

Katherine Price
Educational Consultant

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Educational Consultant

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