SAT. ACT. Six letters that every high school student dreads. But
in the ever-changing landscape of college admissions, are standardized test
scores still important? The short answer: yes. This week, our experts weigh in
on just how important those scores are in comparison to the rest of your
application.
How important are standardized test scores
compared to other pieces of the application?” — Chris
Kim, Portland, OR
A:SAT Scores are still very important
Because high schools across the country vary in their difficulty
and ranking system, colleges still rely on the standardized tests to determine
whether students will be successful at that college. Studies have shown that
SAT or ACT scores and rigor of school work are the two most important factors
in college admissions. These two factors are also linked: taking Pre-AP,
Honors, or AP courses in high school will help students perform better on these
college tests and be more successful with college-level work.
A: Test Scores Not the Most Important Factor
Standardized tests scores are just one of many factors colleges
consider when reviewing your application.
While some colleges may emphasize them more heavily, most agree that
your transcript carries greater weight. If test scores are a significant
concern, you might want to check out fairtest.org, which will give you a
listing of colleges that don’t require the submission of SAT scores for many of
their applicants.
A: Part of the Recipe
Standardized test scores are one part of many in the application
recipe. Think of a recipe for cookies. Flour, water, eggs and sugar are the
basic components just like grades, scores, letters of recommendation and essays
make up the application. All of them mix together to make and reflect the
unique you. Test scores are important, but not most important. Grades are like
the flour without them that cookie just is not going to hold together. Test
scores are like the eggs, binding things together. TOEFL scores however, need
to meet or exceed the minimum required.
A: How Much Do Test Scores Matter Anyway?
Test scores remain an important factor for those colleges that
consider test scores. Many larger public universities use an eligibility index
based on both the GPA and test scores. Some smaller, private colleges may give
more weight to essays, resumes, interviews and extracurricular activities. A
challenging curriculum and strong GPA are the most significant factors in
admission decisions. Regardless of how colleges determine who gains acceptance,
students should present outstanding applications emphasizing their personal
strengths.
A: Every University Evaluates the Results from Standardized Tests Differently
A transcript, which records the student’s academic history, is
usually the most important piece of the application. Every university evaluates
the results from the SAT and ACT exams differently. Many universities no longer
require these exams. The TOEFL and IELTS exams are used to evaluate the
proficiency of non-native English speakers in order to ensure that the
applicant has the ability to be successful in the classroom.
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this week’s question