SAT/ACT Test Optional One time only?
The SAT/ACT tests were declared optional for high school students applying for Fall Semester 2021 college admission. Most colleges made that decision as an accommodation to the disruption caused by COVID-19. A handful, however, did not (e.g. University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, University of Florida).
What should you do if you took either test?
· If your scores have been published, get those sent to your colleges of choice.
· If you took the test and have not yet seen any scores published, contact your colleges. Most are flexing the application deadline to accommodate late score reporting. However, that is the only exception to their deadlines. Everything else required on the applications must be completed prior to the school's published deadline.
What are future plans for current high school juniors (11th grade) and younger?
"Test-optional" will most likely be dropped (with the exception of colleges that had been test-optional previous to the pandemic). That is, current high school students with college intentions, should plan on taking either the SAT, or ACT, or both (that is another article). Ohio State and University of Michigan have already made their intentions known test scores will be an application requirement.
Other important points:
· Regardless of anything written above, it is always a good idea to talk with your college admission contacts. Discuss what is going on in your world, and follow their guidance.
· Super-scoring has always been, and remains, the prerogative of the college. Most do, but none are required to do.
· SAT/ACT tests were developed in hopes they would be indicators of the likelihood of academic success in college. They are not perfect, but they are, for now, a key measure, along with GPA and the academic rigor of your high school transcript
At one time, conventional wisdom favored taking an SAT/ACT, and re-taking it after receiving your scores; combined with a test-preparation regimen leading up to the second test date.
Trends in test scores indicate that test-preparation prior to even the first test date proves worthwhile. There are free resources online (ACT.org; CollegeBoad.org). However, those tests have become very well integrated into college admissions decisions, and test-preparation companies have become very sophisticated at "teaching to the test." Professional tutoring will help in evaluating your high school transcript and GPA, and understanding the predictive value of PSAT/PACT scores. Seek help understanding your rung on the competitive academic ladder. Test-prep is pricey. You need information in order to determine if it is worth the price for your student.
Trends in test scores indicate that test-preparation prior to even the first test date proves worthwhile. There are free resources online (ACT.org; CollegeBoad.org). However, those tests have become very well integrated into college admissions decisions, and test-preparation companies have become very sophisticated at "teaching to the test." Professional tutoring will help in evaluating your high school transcript and GPA, and understanding the predictive value of PSAT/PACT scores. Seek help understanding your rung on the competitive academic ladder. Test-prep is pricey. You need information in order to determine if it is worth the price for your student.
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