5 Reasons Why Your Child Should Take the ACT or SAT

At The Core is excited to share this guest blog post, “5 Reasons Why Your Child Should Take the ACT or SAT”, from Brian Stewart, M.Ed., President of BWS Education Consulting, and best-selling author of several ACT, SAT, and PSAT test prep books through the Barron’s Educational Series.

Over the past several years, there has been quite a bit of upheaval in the world of college admissions and standardized testing. Many schools are now “test-optional,” meaning that students can submit SAT and ACT test scores if they would like, but they are not required to do so. Given the media reports about standardized tests, some parents and students may wonder if they should even bother taking the SAT or ACT. Here are five reasons why taking the SAT or ACT is a still a wise choice in this uncertain environment.

1. Nearly all colleges would like to see your scores.

From what is covered in the news, it sounds like most schools do not care about evaluating your test scores. According to fairtest.org, the reality is that only 85 U.S. colleges are “test-free” or “test-blind,” meaning they do not consider test scores. The most well-known test-blind schools are the colleges in the University of California system; the others are predominately smaller liberal arts colleges. This means that the vast majority of U.S. colleges either require the SAT or ACT or will consider SAT/ACT scores if submitted.

The majority of applicants do submit test scores, and colleges would like you to send in your scores if they strengthen your application. The bottom line is that colleges prefer as much information as possible to make an admissions decision, and they consider standardized tests an important metric in evaluating applicants.

2. Test scores provide protection against grade inflation.

According to the Department of Education and the College Board, the average High School GPA was 2.68 in 1990, and 3.38 in 2016. A 2017 national survey of K-8 parents found that 90% of parents believe that their child is achieving at or above grade level, and that 66 percent think that their kid is above average. Inflated GPAs may give parents and students an incorrect impression of academic readiness, and they make it more challenging for college admissions officers to differentiate among applicants.

Good grades are certainly a key part of a successful college application. However, students will stand out among the applicants if they have good test scores as well.

3. Those who submit test scores likely have a better chance of earning admission.

Colleges will happily accept applications from anyone who wishes to submit one—after all, they receive application fees and will see improved selectivity statistics. Colleges will need to see clear evidence of academic strength in other areas to be confident about students who do not submit test scores. To have a successful application, students would be smart to include test scores that demonstrate their readiness for college-level work.

4. Good test scores can lead to substantial scholarships.

Three to four hours on a Saturday morning could be the best financial investment a student could make. Colleges like the University of Alabama for example offer substantial scholarships based on test scores. Some colleges award scholarship money to National Merit Finalists and Semi-Finalists.

5. Colleges use ACT and SAT test scores to determine your course placement.

It is one thing to be admitted to a college; it is another to get started on desired major classes as soon as possible. Achieving certain section scores can allow students to place out of general education requirements, saving time and money.

Ohio State, among many other schools, use ACT and SAT test scores for English and math course placement. The University of Louisiana, for example, gives students who achieve certain test scores Math and English credits.

Since the ACT and SAT are designed to measure how likely a student will be successful as a college freshman, taking the tests will highlight areas that students should improve so they can be successful in collegiate coursework.

I hope you found this information helpful. Please contact us at BWS Educational Consulting with other questions you may have about the SAT or ACT.

 

Updated 8/2024

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