As a parent of a high school student, you may be wondering if the ACT and SAT exams still matter for your student’s college admissions and financial aid awards. With many changes in the college admissions landscape in recent years, it's understandable to have some uncertainty about whether these standardized tests are still relevant.
So, do the ACT and SAT matter anymore? The short answer is yes, they do. While many colleges have established test-optional policies due to the pandemic, many still recommend them for admission and merit-based financial aid consideration. Here's what you need to know about the continued importance of these exams:
1. Admissions Consideration
Many colleges and universities use ACT and SAT scores as part of their admissions decision process. Admissions officers may use test scores to assess a student's academic preparedness and potential for success at their institution. High test scores can help your student stand out from other applicants, especially if their GPA and extracurricular activities are similar to other candidates.
Some schools may even use test scores as a benchmark for admission or to determine scholarship eligibility. So, taking the ACT or SAT and achieving a high score could open doors to admission and financial aid opportunities that might not have been available otherwise.
2. Merit-Based Financial Aid
In addition to admissions consideration, many colleges and universities also use ACT and SAT scores to determine merit-based financial aid awards. This type of aid is typically awarded to students based on academic achievement, and higher test scores can improve your student’s chances of receiving financial aid.
Some colleges may offer automatic scholarships to students who achieve a certain score on the ACT or SAT. Other schools may use test scores as one factor in awarding merit-based aid, so higher scores can increase your student’s overall eligibility for scholarships and grants.
3. Test-Optional Policies
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It's worth noting that some colleges have adopted test-optional policies, which means that they do not require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission consideration. However, it's important to note that 'test-optional' does not mean 'test-blind.' Even at schools with test-optional policies, submitting strong test scores can still improve your student's chances of admission and financial aid consideration and add to their complete application package.
Moreover, test-optional policies may not apply to all students, such as international students or homeschooled students. It's important to research the admission policies of the particular colleges or universities your student is interested in to determine if submitting test scores is recommended or required.
In conclusion, while the importance of the ACT and SAT exams may vary depending on the college or university, it's still essential to consider these exams as part of the college admissions and financial aid process. Strong test scores can provide an advantage in admissions consideration and increase your student's eligibility for merit-based financial aid. If your child is planning to apply to college, it's worth considering taking these exams to help maximize their opportunities for admission and financial assistance.
Here at Tutor Doctor of North Jersey, we provide premiere test preparation which begins with a phone call and a suggestion for your student to take a free full-practice SAT or ACT.We offer SAT and ACT retired exams online with a live proctor, which is recommended, or online self-proctored.You or your student can register for a practice test here.
After your student has completed their practice test, submit your answer sheets to us directly via email.A super-detailed score analysis report will then be generated, and we will schedule a complimentary test prep review and planning session. During this session, we will discuss your student’s college goals, how they are doing academically, and where they stand in their test preparation process, and create a plan to move forward, advising on the next steps.
Take some time to check out our stellar test prep reviews from families whose students have benefited from our test preparation process.Let’s book an initial phone call or Zoom meeting so that we can learn more about your student, and establish a plan for success.Most important is to get to know your student and their college goals so we can help them get into their dream school, if that is the correct path for them, and find options in navigating life after high school.
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FAQs
In conclusion, while the importance of the ACT and SAT exams may vary depending on the college or university, it's still essential to consider these exams as part of the college admissions and financial aid process.
Do ACT and SAT scores matter anymore? ›
Currently, only 4 percent of colleges that use the Common Application system require a standardized test such as the SAT or the ACT for admission. Even before the pandemic, more than 1,000 colleges and universities had either test-optional or so-called test-blind policies.
Does SAT still penalize wrong answers? ›
However, even the most prepared students can stumble across questions that leave them unsure. Remember, there's no SAT guessing penalty. You should always answer all questions, even if you need to guess. Educated guessing gives you the best chance of achieving a higher SAT score when you get stuck.
Do standardized tests matter anymore? ›
For students applying to academically selective colleges in the US, they should still take and submit their ACT or SAT scores. Initial data for the Class of 2025 indicates that students who submitted scores had as much as a 100% higher chance of getting in than students who did not submit scores.
Can you get a 1600 on the SAT with wrong answers? ›
Generally speaking, you can miss 1-2 questions on each section and still get a perfect 1600. How many questions you can miss on each section and still hit your target score will depend on your exam's difficulty level and how raw scores convert into scaled scores for that particular test.
Is 1200 a good SAT score? ›
The average SAT score is a 1040, so a 1200 is above average. A 1200 SAT score is between the 71st and 80th percentile of test takers, meaning that you scored above 71-80% of other students. A score of 1200 opens a wide range of college options, assuming you have comparable grades (mostly A's and B's).
Is 1350 a good SAT score in 2024? ›
As you can see from the numbers above, a composite SAT score of 1350 or higher will get you in the 90th percentile, or top 10%, of test takers. In other words, you don't have to earn a perfect 1600 in order to achieve a great SAT score. Scoring a 1350 will still place you in a higher percentile than most students!
How many questions can I get wrong on the SAT and still get a 1500? ›
Balancing your SAT score
Studying smartly and playing to your strengths will help you get 1500+ on your SAT. For instance, you need at least 55 out of 58 questions correct in the Maths section, 41 out of 44 in the Writing & Language section, and 48 out of 52 in the Reading section to score a 1500+ on your SAT.
Can you get an 800 on SAT with wrong answers? ›
answering a question incorrectly results in the same score. Typically, to get an 800 in Math, you cannot miss any questions because you need to get a raw score of 58 (out of 58 questions). Occasionally, an SAT will allow you to get one wrong answer in Math as you can see on Tests 4 and 8.
Is it better to guess or skip on the SAT? ›
On all questions, there's no penalty for guessing: if you're not sure of the answer, it's better to guess than leave the response blank.
Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other.
Why are colleges getting rid of SATs? ›
Colleges described the move as temporary, but nearly all have since stuck to a test-optional policy. It reflects a backlash against standardized tests that began long before the pandemic, and many people have hailed the change as a victory for equity in higher education.
Do Ivy Leagues require SAT 2025? ›
Yale has mandatory standardized testing starting fall 2025. Three of Cornell's undergraduate colleges do not consider test scores, while all of the others are test-optional until fall 2025. Brown is updating their standardized testing policy annually, so it is currently test-optional for this year.
Did Will Smith get a 1600 on the SAT? ›
Will Smith SAT score was a perfect 1600. A rare score few people have earned. Despite this incredible score, Will chose not to attend college, did not even enroll, and decided to pursue his career in music.
Is a 800 bad on SAT? ›
With the national average SAT score always hovering near 1000 (purposefully), 800 falls short of that average and leaves few college options.
What is the lowest SAT score Harvard has accepted? ›
Harvard SAT Score Analysis
There's no absolute SAT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 1460 to have a chance at being considered.
Do colleges look at SAT and ACT scores? ›
College admission tests like the SAT and ACT are standardized tests typically taken in your junior or senior year. Colleges use scores from these tests to help them make admission decisions. Each college has its own admission processes and policies, and they use scores differently. Here are the facts you need to know.
Is SAT still required for 2024? ›
However, a range of prominent public universities and tech schools, particularly in the South, have been requiring tests again for a couple of years now, and for the 2024-2025 cycle, half the Ivy League will once again be requiring all applicants to submit a test score.
Should the SAT and ACT be abolished? ›
While the SAT and ACT are now more recognized as flawed, some experts suggest that abolishing them would create other problems of inequity. UC's Academic Senate, while opposed to the SAT, recommended keeping California's standardized test for 11th grade students to measure aspects of their college preparation.
Do colleges look at SAT scores in 2025? ›
REMAIN ACT/SAT-OPTIONAL OR TEST-BLIND/SCORE-FREE FOR FALL 2025; More than 80% of U.S. four-year colleges and universities will not require applicants for fall 2025 admissions to submit ACT/SAT scores according to a new tally by FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing.
