News: The colleges you know and love are returning the required ACT/SAT scores!
Schools like Brown, Georgetown, University of Florida, Yale, University of Georgia, and many others have decided to return these scores – forever!
In this article, you’ll learn what that means for you and your next graduating class. Is this a huge issue or a blessing in disguise?
Why did schools go optional with testing?
100 colleges across the country instituted test-optional policies for all applicants starting in spring 2020, including all of the Ivy League. Initially, this change was made to comply with safety regulations due to COVID-19. Testing sites were closed, which became a barrier for students. According to the law, students were not allowed to go to the exam facilities and they could not go to school normally. So leaving it mandatory didn’t make sense at that time.
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Why should we jump for joy?
It can be a tough sell, but good things can come from SAT or ACT scores that are still mandated by colleges.
With this score, colleges can better evaluate different applicants from different backgrounds. This helps them see your strengths in key areas that matter to them. Invariably, this helps them predict your success at their institution, helping you determine which schools are the best fit for you and your abilities. These tests show a small picture of how you will handle college work.
Your scores can also be a good indicator of where you fit in the applicant pool. When applying to most schools, you can see their average SAT or ACT scores. So with this information you can decide where you fall within that range. For schools that are still test-optional, you can see if your score will help your application. If it is above average, submit your score as it can only add to your success. These logistics will also help you determine if a school is an attainable, target, or match, which is crucial when making your college list.
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Another amazing thing that can come with mandatory test scores is financial aid or scholarships. You may receive scholarships and funding from schools you apply to based on your SAT or ACT score, among other things. Your test scores will positively affect how much financial aid you receive, which, in the long run, will help limit the amount of student loans you have to take on. Especially if your scores are strong enough, you owe it to yourself to get some kind of compensation for that score.
Why do some people disagree?
Some people believe that returning these test scores to the college admissions process is unfair to certain groups. Many also believe that this test favors the wealthier society because they have the resources to do well on these tests.
They believe that high school students with less funding or lower rankings are not doing well. What’s the point, because if the school doesn’t teach the students the material that will be on the test, how else can they expect the students to do well?
It’s a valid point, but ultimately it’s about the students. Those who come from money may be able to afford teachers and fancy programs, so in that sense they have an advantage. However, other students may choose to borrow a book from the library or use free online resources to help them succeed on this test. It depends on the student and how badly the student wants to do well, not money.
Stress is a huge problem that can come with these mandatory test scores. Applying to college is stressful enough, but feeling like you have to do really well on these tests to pass is a whole new level of difficult. This is something you shouldn’t wear. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves all the time and this seems to be another thing to add to that.
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Then, of course, we have the obvious issue that has been around for centuries. These tests simply do not capture the student as a whole. He focuses on core subjects and fails to demonstrate other qualities and academic abilities. There is much more to an individual than how they do on two or three sections of a standardized test. This is just my belief.
What you need to know
Not all schools return mandatory test scores; There are only some. We need to be aware of these changes because they may directly affect some of us.
You will not be accepted or rejected from a school based solely on your SAT or ACT scores. Remember that these scores do not define you, but show you where you need to grow or learn more. They are just benchmarks and there are so many wonderful aspects of each of you that these tests are missed. That’s why your application requires more than just your grades and grades. There is more to you than just numbers.
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Free SAT/ACT Prep Resources:
- College Board
- University tutors
- Khan Academy
- Princeton Review (they have free programs)
There are many more options, but here are just a few of the best to help you on your SAT, ACT, college journey, and beyond!
