College Board's Role in the Admissions Process

How does the College Board influence the admissions process for colleges? I'm curious about their role beyond standardized testing and AP scores.

College Board certainly plays a significant role in the college admissions process, primarily through the administration of standardized tests, such as the SAT and the offering of Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

As you may know, standardized tests such as the SAT have traditionally been used by many colleges to gauge a student's academic aptitude, although the emphasis on these scores has been diminishing in recent times, and more so with some colleges becoming test-optional or test-blind.

Similarly, AP classes are seen as rigorous academic courses, and performing well in these classes and exams can signal to colleges that a student is ready for the challenges of college-level work.

Beyond these well-known roles, College Board also runs a service called Student Search Service (SSS). This is a free program where students can choose to have their information shared with colleges and universities. It helps colleges target prospective students for recruitment. Students can opt into this service when they take the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or SAT. Please do keep in mind that participating in SSS does not guarantee admission.

Lastly, they offer resources that can help in the college search process. They maintain a comprehensive college database, where students can find detailed information about various colleges and universities. While they do not have a direct role in the admissions decisions made by colleges, they do provide valuable resources that can help students in the application process.

So, College Board does reach beyond simply administering tests - it offers several services and resources that help students transition from high school to college.