Should I take the SAT and ACT?

Answered

A few months ago I compiled all the available data I could find on, how submitting ACT and SAT scores could give an applicant a boost on their admissions. Here is a link to that discussion post. Last year, although 100% of schools were test optional, it is clear as day, if you had a high score and submitted your test as part of your application, you did have a small to significant boost in your admit rate. For instance at UPenn 63% submitted scores but 76% of admits had submitted scores so there was a 20%+ bump.

The bottom line is that there is a positive correlation between having high test scores and doing well in college level classes. Therefore, if you have a 1500 SAT or 33+ ACT score, you remove the uncertainty college admissions officers have with taking a risk on admitting you.

GPA alone is not a very good indicator any more about one's ability to do well in a top rigorous college environment because many public schools have practiced in GRADE INFLATION in order to secure more State and Federal funding. If their students do better, that means they are succeeding in the eyes of the people in charge at governments doling out the funds. The problem is that kids are not so much smarter than they were 10 years ago or 30 years ago, but their report cards state otherwise. This is why the admit stats of so many schools have 3.9+ GPAS. 30 years ago if you were a B-B+ student with 1200s you'd be a sure thing at UC Berkeley or UCLA, not anymore.

My advice to you if you decide to pursue the ACT or SAT is to try to get the highest possible composite score if you are applying to Top 25 colleges. You might think that getting 1350-1400 is doable but they may not really help you if you are trying to get into UVA, UMich, UC Schools, UT, or better liberal arts colleges like Hamilton, Colgate, BC, Bates, Bowdoin, CMC, Colorado College.

There are plenty of resources and blog posts about that on this site that can help you.

Good luck.

https://www.collegevine.com/questions/17393/does-applying-with-an-act-sat-improve-your-admission-chances

Here is my advice:

1) If you scored a 1240 on the PSAT without preparation on the exam, I say you should take it. That's a great indicatator that you will do well.

2) While this year colleges are allowing kids to apply test optional, it isn't definite which colleges are carrying over this policy to next year (though Omicrom is making it look like the policy probably will be continued).

3) If colleges are all test optional, that means that the kids who are submitting their scores will be the top group, and that's who you'll be compared to. I know kids who got scores from 1300-1400 and didn't submit because they knew their score would pale in comparison if the only kids submitting were 1400+.

My advice would be to take a practice ACT, see how you score, and compare which test you enjoyed taking more. You definitely have the potential to have a great score, so I say take it. If you don't like your score in the end, you just don't have to submit it. Scores are just another part of your application, and submitting no score is better then submitting a medicore score.