SAT/ACT tests. We're doing this, aren't we?

As usual, it depends. And to add to that, soon the ACT test will join the SAT in offering a digital version for students to take. (Blog about that coming soon.) In the meantime, let me make a quick listicle addressing whether I recommend a student put in the time to prep for and parents put in the possibly large amount of money to pay for said prep for a student to take a test:

Students Who Need A Test Score

  1. Applicants to most Ivy League schools, Caltech, and MIT

  2. Applicants to selective engineering/computer science schools (unless school is test-blind)

  3. Applicants to state system schools in TX, FL, and GA

  4. Applicants to UK schools

Students Who Should Have A Score (if it can be a good one)

  1. Students who have an initial SAT score of 1200+ or ACT of 26+ without prep

  2. Students who need to make up for some hiccups in their GPA and applying to test-optional scores

  3. Applicants to a school where their score is in the top 25% of applicants

  4. Applicants to a test-optional school known for giving out generous merit-aid

Students Who Don’t Need/Shouldn’t Use a Score

  1. Applicants applying only to the University of California and/or Cal State Schools (test-blind)

  2. Applicants applying to test-optional schools whose score is below the average score of the average accepted student

Andrew McGlothlinTest Optional, test prep, act vs sat, sat, act, AdmissionsComment