Why are the SAT’s and ACT’s such a large factor in the college admissions process?
I have already taken the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT Plus Writing. I just don’t think these tests are a very good gauge simply because they are timed tests. I purchased practice tests that I completed at home, only I did not time myself. I ended up increasing my scores by quite a few points. For example, I had a composite math score of 21 on the timed ACT but when I completed a similar practice test at home untimed I achieved a score of 25. I am a great student (4.0 G.P.A.), I’m in the National Honor Society, and I participate in several athletic events and Jazz Band performances. I also do community service. These are just a few of the many things I do in order to get involved with my school and community. I really want to apply to school’s like Stanford and Northwestern but I feel inadequate simply because I don’t receive a 32 on my ACT or 2400 on my SAT. I don’t believe in standardized testing and I know it is a barrier for other talented and well-rounded students too.
7 Responses
hiyas123
09 Feb 2010
Rika Ishikawa
09 Feb 2010
I agree with you. Sadly this is their only way of judging everyone fairly. It wouldn’t be fair if a 4.0 student at a great and challenging school and a 4.0 student at a scummy not so good school sent in their transcripts and got the same result, when the student who was challenged more should be given better dibs.
But luckily, the tests are only a minor part of the application process. Though if you’re looking at IV schools and private schools they’ll take it into more consideration because more students are applying there.
oldeststudent200
09 Feb 2010
The unfortunate over-reliance on SAT and ACT is due to the unreliability of grades from school to school. Traditionally, the average grade given was supposed to be C or C+. The average student would have a GPA between 2.0 and 2.5. Today, in many high schools, the average grade is a B or B+. Straight A grades for even a semester used to be an exceptional thing at most schools, but today it is not unusual for 10% or more of the students to do the 4.0. The big-name colleges are swamped with 4.0 applications. The single most objective way to determine who is best academically is the SAT. The second most objective factor is class rank; some Universities try to take only students in the top 10% (or even top 4%) of their high school class. At the top schools, everyone has great grades, great recommendations, and claims to have special talents and leadership abilities. The SAT provides a single objective number that can be sorted and classified.
bucknellbucky
09 Feb 2010
Luckily nowadays, they don’t rely on standardized test scores as much as they used to. Tests like the ACT and SAT are meant to put everyone on the same playing level, but they don’t always work out that way. Admissions offices are now looking more for kids who get good grades as well as have a life, such as participating in clubs, sports, volunteering, etc. This helps gauge how well you’ll fit into college life and the college community. So don’t sweat it if you don’t get a perfect on everything, just keep up the grades and activities, you should be fine. If you’re getting really close to the point where you’re going to be applying to schools, see if there is a school that is a perfect match for you and your needs. Then you can see if they have an Early Decision application, then it’s usually easier to get in since it’s a definite commitment, and not as many people are applying at the same time as Regular decision. Also, this will settle your nerves A LOT, since you usually know around the end of December whether you got in or not. Just make sure you have a couple of other applications at other colleges to fall back on.
hi
09 Feb 2010
that is because some schools arent up to standards. some schools are harder than others. some schoolsare easier than others. this is what standardized tests are. they "fairly" test everyone and thats what they do.
besides, since you have 4.0, lots of extracurriculars, and activities, you shouldnt have a problem getting in. this is a big controversy nowadays, its not just you.
Gema
09 Feb 2010
I agree, these timed tests are crazy and killing….I have just taken the ACT once, and I almost suffered a heart attack, it was such a big pressure, I dont think I can do that again
LOL
Well, could you answer my question, accidentally related to yours…please??
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnEX0ERbz6gCHnP0F.815YHty6IX?qid=20070812185533AAlkqnz
findpolaris
09 Feb 2010
i sympathize with your plight. the fact is, standardized tests are the only tests that produce scores which relate to the average. everything else is, according to most universities, unreliable due to the fact that every school has different standards, styles, and biases. (Mississippi being the biggest example: they have the largest gap between state test average and national test average. source from Time magazine) at least with SAT’s, no amount of brown-nosing, extra-credit, or "A for effort" factors will sway the outcome. not to mention, SAT’s are not achievement tests, but aptitude tests. so studying will not effect your score more than 200 points. this aspect of the test can be most irritating because it doesn’t reward people who’ve otherwise worked their way up through studying.
but fear not! many universities are well aware of the unfair characteristics within the standardized test world. GPA, extracurricular activities, and your application essays are VERY important factors in their decision, i promise you. i am a prime example; i scored lower than the average SAT score for my university, but i was accepted anyways, probably because of my essay and community service. so don’t lose hope! SATs are only one factor.
ps. make sure you have leadership qualities. colleges love that stuff.
Well, many colleges don’t trust grades, GPAs, and transcripts because colleges don’t know what schools did to them! The only way to securely make sure these GPAs aren’t inflated are to compare them with your SAT or ACT scores. The SAT and ACT are STANDARDIZED meaning all the applicant’s scores will be based on the same system, so it gives the real view of the applicant.