What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Do colleges care about standardized test scores more or less than GPA?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior trying to figure out the balance between standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT) and GPA in the eyes of college admissions officers. Do colleges weigh test scores more heavily or do they focus more on your overall GPA? Any insight would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!

a year ago

Hey there! It's great that you're seeking information about the college admissions process. To answer your question, both standardized test scores and GPA are important factors in college admissions decisions. However, the exact weight of each may vary slightly from one college to another depending on their specific admissions criteria and philosophy.

Generally, GPA might be seen as more important than test scores, because it reflects your performance over an extended period and showcases your overall academic strengths. On the other hand, standardized test scores provide a standardized measurement to compare applicants across various schools and curriculums.

That said, many colleges are now adopting test-optional or even test-blind policies, which may affect the weight assigned to standardized test scores. It's important to research and understand each college's approach to make sure you're focusing your effort appropriately.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.