Every year, millions of students take one or more standardized tests, as part of their college preparation process. While the tests themselves vary, the one thing they have in common is the number of theories and myths that surround them. Let’s take a closer look at the two most common ones viz. the SAT and the ACT.

 

​

SAT – The SAT, started in 1926, is offered 6 times a year. It is basically a test of critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving. It tests what you know, but more importantly, it tests how you apply it. Please visit the CollegeBoard site to learn more about the SAT.

 

ACT – The ACT, started in 1959, is also offered 6 times a year. Closely tied to your high school curriculum, the test measures students' general educational development and their capability to complete college-level work. Please visit the act.org site to learn more about the ACT.

 

Students often agonize about which test to take, but data shows that most students tend to perform comparably on either. Our advice is to take a practice test in both and then take whichever one you feel more comfortable with.

 

 

Advice for test takers

 

In spite of all the information available, students are often left in doubt even on the most basic questions. Which test should I take? How many times should I attempt it? What books help in preparation? Will it help if I take a class? While there is no substitute to the number of hours you put in, irrespective of the medium, here are 3 simple tips that will help you improve your score.

 

• Familiarity with the tests is the #1 way to improve your scores. The format, content, overall strategy, and actual test-taking tactics – they all matter

• Read more. Students underestimate how helpful regular reading can be when it comes to taking the tests. Students should subscribe to some leading US publication (e.g. New York Times) and make reading a daily habit – it is also an important skill you need for success in college

• Take practice tests that mimic actual test conditions. This way, you can critically assess your performance, and work on improvement areas identified.

 

 

How do colleges use test scores?

​

The results from your tests are an important factor in the admission decisions at many colleges. How important varies considerably, depending on the college.

​

• Colleges often look at your test scores in conjunction with your grades. For international students, test scores are often seen as a fairly reliable indicator of academic prowess

• Colleges tend to underplay the role that test scores play in college admissions. If a college you are applying to says test scores are optional, be sure to go ahead and submit it nevertheless. The value of a good score in your applicable package should never be underestimated

• Keep things in perspective and remember that test scores are only one of the components of a student’s application package. Just as a good score does not guarantee admission, a poor score doesn’t wipe out your chances either.

​

​

Outlook for 2021 and beyond

​

The topic of standardized testing often ignites a fierce debate among educators, but like most things it has both pros and cons. While critics of standardized tests have always been around, the challenges over the past few months has provided a sort of impetus and the anti-test wave has gained momentum. In order to not disadvantage students, many prominent schools have come out saying that students will not have to submit ACT/SAT scores when applying for fall 2021 admissions.

​

This heralds a radical shift in how colleges view the role played by tests in the admissions process, especially when viewed in conjunction with earlier announcements such as the one by the University of California system that they are phasing out the use of SAT and ACT test scores when evaluating applicants. Let's s take a closer look at 2021 and beyond, into an era where many colleges are going test optional.

​

While colleges may not insist on it, will they accept test scores if students were to submit them? If SAT/ACT scores are not part of the application package, does that mean that academics or other parts of your application package will assume increased significance? Essays? Interviews? Different colleges will respond differently depending on what they were using the standardized test for - validation of the applicant’s other academic performance, to compare applicants across geographies, for admissions decisions or for course selection etc. Irrespective of the details, evaluating your chances for admission just got a tad more unpredictable.

​

​

What can/should a student do?

​

Look at your list of colleges carefully. What stand is each of those colleges taking? Have you already given the test and got great scores? Or maybe these tests don't bring out the best in you. Either way, you may want to re-prioritize your college list. In the end, students need to continue to stay on top of what’s happening and make sure that they are not impacted adversely by these changing requirements, but it is also possible where a student may be able to use it to their advantage.

​

A word of caution. While colleges have taken a stand one way or another for 2021, the policy for 2022 will be determined to a large extent based on how things work out this year and what colleges are able to learn from it. Clarity for 2022 won’t emerge till spring or even summer of next year, so if you are applying for Fall 2022, being conservative is the prudent choice.

​

Lastly, it is always important to not make any decision in isolation. It has to be part of your application strategy which should be planned carefully taking all things into consideration.

​

​

​

College & Me is a series of articles featuring useful information about College Admissions for undergraduate degree programs in US colleges. 

​

​