If You Have Sat Or Act Scores Should You Still Submit Them
What if you’ve already taken the SAT or ACT, or you’re able to do so before college deadlines? Should you submit those scores?
First, we recommend everyone who is reasonably able to take the SAT/ACT. You shouldn’t fly across the country during a pandemic to take the SAT/ACT, but if you can safely take the test nearby, you should. Your scores might be higher than you expect, and even if they’re not, if you’re applying to a test optional school, you’re under no requirement to submit them. Taking a standardized test gives you the most options.
Second, it’s important to understand what “test optional” means. When a school says they are test optional, it means they don’t require SAT or ACT scores, but they will still review and consider them as part of your application. It does not mean that SAT and ACT scores are no longer important. Only schools that are “test blind” don’t look at standardized test scores at all. Test blind is a rare policy, and only a handful of schools, like Hampshire College, follow it.
What does this mean for you? It means that, even for test optional schools, strong SAT or ACT scores will absolutely still help your college applications. Not submitting test scores won’t hurt your application, as these schools have stated, but it also means you lose out on a potential chance to make your application stronger. So, how to decide? Use these guidelines:
Submit test scores if:
Don’t submit test scores if:
Colleges That Require The Sat Essay
The last few decades have witnessed a substantial redundancy of the SAT essay for college admissions. However, this dwindling authority does not equate to its worth. Though redundant, the SAT essay is highly recommended by all educational institutions. Among the elite, the University of California continues to necessitate the SAT essay as an segment of its admission criteria. Additionally, 18 private and public educational institutions seek the essay. The Ivy League schools have dropped their requirement for the SAT essay, concentrating entirely on the SAT subject tests. Similarly, many Liberal Arts institutions have forgone the pre-condition for the essay.
We have consolidated the list of educational institutions that require the SAT essay.
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For Freshmen Should They Prepare For Sat/ Act Or Wait To Confirm Or Later Is Test
It depends on your college list. To keep your options open, its good to take the diagnostic test and then strategize to see if test scores can give you an advantage. Also keep in mind that certain majors, athletic admissions, honors programs, and scholarships require ACT / SAT test scores, and the scores can be submitted for placement tests.
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Reasons High School Juniors Should Still Plan To Take The Sat Or Act
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What does the recent increase in test-optional colleges mean for current high school juniors and other students planning to apply to college in 2021-2022? Will these students get to skip the SAT and ACT altogether? Not necessarily.
Two-thirds of all four-year colleges in the U.S. are now test optional and more than 500 of these schools adopted test-optional policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to FairTest.org, which maintains lists of test-optional and test-blind colleges. The rise in test-optional colleges came as a relief to many college-bound students, as their opportunities to take the SAT and ACT was limited due to COVID-19.
But what does this mean for current high school juniors and other students planning to apply to college next year? According to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling , counselors are continuing to advise students to take college admissions tests if they can test safely. The reality is that, as long as tests are still being offered, theres something to be gained by students scoring well on them, reported NACAC in its Fall 2020 Journal of College Admission.
Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider taking the SAT and/or ACT, even when many colleges have gone test-optional.
Colleges That Have Confirmed They Will Require Testing For The Class Of 202:
- Florida State University
- University of California system
The Class of 2023 and Beyond
While most members of the class of 2022 will likely be able to choose whether to apply test optional to many, if not all, of their colleges of interest, there is far less clarity for current high school juniors . Below is a list of schools that have already announced COVID-related test-optional policies and pilot programs for the class of 2023. Note: we have not included schools that were previously test optional. For a complete list of schools with test-optional and test-flexible policies, visit fairtest.org.
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A New Uc Exam Will Take The Place Of The Sat And Act
The University of California plans to replace the SAT and ACT with their own standardized entrance exam by 2024 or 2025.
While the details of this exam are slim at the moment, what we do know is that UC wants to create an entrance exam that “better aligns with the content the University expects students to have mastered for college readiness.”
In other words, UC will create a test that potential students have to take that is a better, more fair evaluation of whether they are prepared for college! As of right now, UC has stated that it will make this test available to California public, private, and homeschooled students.
Right now, it’s unclear whether all California students will take the test as part of mandatory state-wide testing, or if there will be a fee associated with the new, UC-specific exam. We also don’t know when the new UC exam will be required for students. The good news is that the SAT and ACT will not be used as admissions criteria by 2024 no matter what.
Like we mentioned earlier, there’s not a lot of information available about the new UC test yet. We will update this article with more information as it becomes available, so be sure to bookmark this article and check back later.
What Is The Sat/act And Why Is It Sometimes Required
The SAT and ACT are entrance exams used by many higher education institutions to gauge students academic aptitude and make admissions decisions. The most marked differences between the two exams is that the SAT is two sections and administered by The College Board, where the ACT has four sections and is administered by ACT, Inc.
Colleges have long considered these exam results a great indicator of a students readiness for college above GPAs, high school transcripts, and extracurriculars because the tests are standardized across the country. This allows for evaluation across a more level playing field.
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Selective Colleges And Universities Will Likely Keep Test
The number one question asked by the high school class of 2023 is, will I need to take the SAT or ACT? The answer is a qualified YES. We are cautiously optimistic that test optional admissions for selective and highly selective schools might be here to stay as it is for the high school class of 2022. Having said that, we are a long way from all the schools announcing their testing policies for 2022-2023 applications. We understand that highly competitive high schools are advising their students to prep and take standardized tests because they want their students to have a complete holistic profile when they apply. This includes standardized test scores.
At this point, we are recommending that the high school class of 2023 take the ACT or SAT, but whether or not they submit the scores depends on test availability and personal performance. Our advice is that: 1. Students should not be engaged in herculean efforts to take a test 2. If your test score does not fall within the 50% range of your desired school OR it doesnt reflect your academic performance, you have the option to not submit 3. You must enter the college admissions cycle with your eyes wide open, meaning that you may not look at competitive without a test score. Remember, if you decide to not submit your test score, everything else will matter more in the admissions process. Rigor and grades will matter the most supported by a compelling story.
Should The Class Of 2022 Take The Sat Or Act
What does this mean for YOU, a Junior who ALSO endured severe disruptions to your education and ability to possibly test? It means that unless these colleges change their minds, these 460+ institutions still expect YOU to submit a test score when you apply.
Not to mention, there are hundreds and hundreds of colleges who did NOT become test optional or test blind, not even during the pandemic, and not even for the class of 2021. So these, too, will expect you to take the SAT or ACT and submit a score.
Unless ALL the colleges youre thinking about are Test Optional or Test BlindAND you have a killer application that doesnt even need a test score to validate it, AND you dont care about financial aid or scholarships, then maybe you can consider skipping. However, for most students, thats simply not the caseand if youre part of that majority, you need to plan for the likelihood that you will need to submit standardized test scores as part of your college application packages.
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Class Of 2022 September College Counseling Newsletter
09/08/2021
Were back with a shorter, more streamlined update!
So My Best Advice To You As You Navigate Standardized Testing Class Of 2023 Is This: Take The Test
You might be one of the few who ultimately didnt need to submit an SAT or ACT score in the end, but in all likelihood, your year is going to look pretty similar to pre-pandemic normal. So pick your test, pick your Testing Timeline, and funnel any doubts and anxious energy into doing something that will actually get you into collegegetting a stellar SAT or ACT score!
And if you need help doing this in the most streamlined way possibleto raise your score the most possible points in the least possible time and with the least headache possibleconsider working with me.
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Standardized Test Scores May Be Required For Scholarships Transfers And Special Programs
Although some colleges will waive the test-score requirement for admissions, they might still require test scores for merit scholarships or admission to certain majors or honors programs. Some public colleges, such as University of Alabama, automatically award tuition discounts based on a combined minimum GPA and test score. Test scores might also be required if you plan to transfer colleges in the future, or for scholarships awarded by private institutions and organizations. Be sure to verify all scholarship, financial aid, and transfer requirements with your colleges before you apply.
What Is The Hardest Csu To Get Into
- University of California Irvine. 4 Year.
- Occidental College. 4 Year.
- University of California Davis. 4 Year.
- San Diego State University. 4 Year.
- Santa Clara University. 4 Year.
- California State University Long Beach. 4 Year. Long Beach, CA.
- Loyola Marymount University. 4 Year. Los Angeles, CA.
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Affecting What Is Taught To Students
- Offers guidance to teachers. Standardized tests will allow teachers to see how their students are performing compared to others in the country. This will help them revise their teaching methods if necessary to help their students meet the standards.
- Allows students to see own progress. Students will be given the opportunity to reflect on their scores and see where their strengths as well as weaknesses are.
- Provide parents information about their child. The scores can allow parents to get an idea about how their child is doing academically compared to everyone else of the same age in the nation.
Critics also charge that standardized tests encourage “teaching to the test” at the expense of creativity and in-depth coverage of subjects not on the test. Multiple choice tests are criticized for failing to assess skills such as writing. Furthermore, student’s success is being tracked to a teacher’s relative performance, making teacher advancement contingent upon a teacher’s success with a student’s academic performance. Ethical and economical questions arise for teachers when faced with clearly underperforming or underskilled students and a standardized test.
Use Of Standardized Tests In University Admissions
Standardized tests are reviewed by universities as part of the application, along with other supporting evidence such as personal statements, GPA, and letters of recommendation. Nathan Kuncel, a scholar of higher education, noticed that in college admission, SAT, ACT, and other standardized tests âhelp overwhelmed admissions officers divide enormous numbers of applicants into pools for further assessment. High scores donât guarantee admission anywhere, and low scores donât rule it out, but schools take the tests seriously.â
Research shows that the tests predict more than just first-year grades and the level of courses a student is likely to take. The longitudinal research conducted by scientists shows that students with high test scores are more likely to take the challenging route through college.Tests also can indicate the outcomes of students beyond college, including faculty evaluations, research accomplishments, degree attainment, performance on comprehensive exams and professional licensure.
Since GPA has difference across schools and even for two students in the same school, the common measure provided by the test score is more useful.
There is debate whether the test will indicate the long-term success in work and life since there are many other factors, but fundamental skills such as reading, writing, and math are related to job performance.
Many arguments suggest that skills from tests are usefulâbut only up to a point.
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Are Colleges Requiring Sat Scores For Class Of 2021
In light of widespread test date cancellations and students increasingly limited access to both test preparation and testing centers as a result of the coronavirus, many American colleges and universities are eliminating their standardized testing requirement, including making the SAT and ACT optional, for the high
Ccpreps Guidance Sat/act Testing For The Class Of 2022 And 2023
While we make every effort to post up to date information, requirements continue to change constantly and we recommend students verify all requirements and deadlines directly with each college they are applying to.
The emergence of COVID-19 has had profound impacts on the routine operations of almost every aspect of American life. The SAT & ACT Exams are no exception. In fact, we continue to receive regular updates from the College Board, ACT, & college admissions offices about changes to the SAT/ACT exam dates schedule & how those tests will factor into the admissions process for students in the Class of 2022.
This FAQ is our effort to provide as much clarity & guidance to the students & families in the CCPrep community as possible, so that you can be empowered with the information that you need to make the right decision for your students.
FAQ: I heard that colleges are no longer requiring the SAT/ACT for students in the Class of 2022. Does that mean my student does not need to worry about their SAT/ACT score?
Its important to know that colleges themselves decide what they will require for admission, and admissions requirements for students in the Class of 2022 will vary widely by college. Also, some colleges may use test scores for scholarships and/or placement. Heres a summary of the CSUs, UCs, & private colleges are saying about the SAT/ACT for Class of 2022 students:
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So Should The Class Of 2023 Take The Sat Or Act
What does this mean for YOU, a soon-to-be Junior who ALSO endured severe disruptions to your education? It means that unless we see a big reversal in our pandemic recovery that causes these colleges to change their minds, these 410+ institutions still expect YOU to submit a test score when you apply.
Not to mention, there are hundreds and hundreds of colleges who did NOT become Test Optional or Test Blind, not even during the pandemic, and not even for the classes of 2021 and 2022. So these, too, will expect you to take the SAT or ACT and submit a score.
So, if ALL of the colleges youre thinking about are Test Optional or Test Blind/Test FreeAND you have a killer application that doesnt even need a test score to validate it, AND you dont care about financial aid or scholarships, then maybe you can consider skipping. However, for most students, thats simply not the caseand if youre part of that majority, you need to plan for the likelihood that you will need to submit standardized test scores as part of your college application packages.