Again, I always like to err on the side of being overprepared. It’s better to have the SAT or ACT score and not need it, than to need the score and not have it. And in general, more data points are better than fewer data points when it comes to admissions. But standardized testing has undergone a lot of change since 2019, not least of which include the digital SAT and this new world of test-optional admissions policies. We’ve discussed a number of aspects to standardized testing and how it relates to college admissions.
We discussed whether you even need a test to get into college. In the age of test-optional admissions, you do not need a test score at many colleges. However, test optional schools might favor applicants with scores over those without, all else being equal. These days, test-optional colleges say they are making an effort to improve how they weigh applicants with tests against those without tests, but this process will take time. In the meantime, taking the SAT or ACT will be beneficial in more ways than one. It’s worth noting that a few more colleges have announced that they will resume requiring SAT or ACT scores for admissions, and I suspect more colleges that have been on the fence about this decision will feel emboldened by the wave of new announcements. So expect more colleges to return to requiring the test in the next year or two.
Colleges use standardized tests outside of admissions, too, if that helps in making the decision. They are used for course placements in Math and English, and some colleges still require test scores in order to receive merit scholarships. So not taking the SAT or ACT could literally cost you money in the form of lost scholarships. Go back to this article to help decide if taking the test makes sense for your student.
Assuming you will take one of the tests, which should they take: the SAT or the ACT? Our goal here was to explain the differences between the tests so your student can decide which test is right for them. As with most things, which test is better depends on your student. There is no inherent benefit to taking the SAT over the ACT or visa versa. The SAT tends to be more common on the coasts, and the ACT more common in the midwest, because of how high schools use those tests in school.
I always encourage families to think about which test to take based on the content. If your student hates Geometry, the SAT has far less Geometry on it than the ACT. The SAT does require knowledge of Algebra II, however, so the math on that test is generally considered a bit more complex. It also has a section where students compute their own answers and aren’t allowed to use calculators. The other factor is timing: the SAT gives way more time per question than the ACT does, so slow readers or those who process information slowly might prefer the pacing on the SAT more.
Also in this choice was concern over the digital SAT versus the paper SAT. The digital test release coincided with the last few opportunities for juniors to take the SAT, and changing from paper to digital after taking a few paper tests probably won’t go well for them. So if you had the chance to take the paper test again, that would have been good. If your student is a rising sophomore, however, don’t fret about the test right now. Let the first few administrations of the digital test happen, and prepare to take the digital test in the fall or winter of next school year.
We also outlined when your student should prepare for the SAT or ACT based on their math tracking and general reading ability and maturity. We wrapped up the series with a discussion on whether or not they should submit their SAT or ACT scores to all their colleges. In general, I favor a less-stressful approach that focuses on the student and their overall application, rather than trying to strategize on a school-by-school basis. If a test score adds to a student’s application, that will be true regardless of which college you apply to.
At the end of the day, standardized testing is a controversial topic, and there are a variety of opinions on the subject. But that information overload is part of what makes the process so stressful and overwhelming. My goal is to help you and your student make fewer, more impactful decisions rather than getting lost in minutiae and stressing over 1,000 little choices.
If you’ve found this discussion helpful and want to know more about your child’s specific circumstances, sign up for a free consultation today.