Do Standardized Test Scores Matter?
How valuable is your SAT or ACT score really? You may know that this test is coming up if you are a high school sophomore or junior or you may be entering into your senior year looking to boost these scores a bit more. Why should you care? Even though some schools are telling students that their SAT or ACT scores are “optional”, these test scores remain one of the most important data points you will have on your college resume and beyond. When it comes to your future, the right college matters. That’s why getting the best score possible matters.
1. Your SAT and ACT Scores Can Help You Get into Your Top College Choice
Putting in the work to get high ACT and SAT scores can make all of the difference in where you go to college. Getting a high score does not mean you will get admitted into any college, but it is an important component of the application process. Many of today’s premier colleges are looking for students who will put in that extra work and who are well-rounded. They want to see that you can perform well on testing day because that helps the admission counselor have an idea about how knowledgeable and ready for college you might be.
Schools are also becoming more and more competitive each year; they have to draw in the right students, not just any students. Many schools have falling acceptance rates and are trimming back on how many students they welcome on campus, which means they are increasingly selective. Your ACT and SAT score is not all that matters, but it can still play a big role in their decision. Having a high average SAT or ACT score helps build the prestige of top colleges and if you have a low score, they may not see you as the right fit for their selective campus. That could limit your options.
2. Scores Can Help Those with Average Grades to Get More Opportunities
Another reason to put in the hard work to get a higher SAT or ACT score is because it can help you to get into schools that may not otherwise accept you based on your grades alone. It is very common for students who have less-than-perfect grades to face difficulties when it comes to senior year. However, even if you get straight A’s, your GPA may not be high enough to help you to qualify for the college you want to go to without strong standardized test scores. That can be heartbreaking after years of hard work.
If you work hard to get strong ACT and SAT scores, that can offset your lower GPA score for many colleges. Some schools will also look for trends. If you had poor grades in your freshman and sophomore year, for example, but you started working hard in junior and senior year, that looks good. It is even better when your ACT and SAT scores are much higher. That shows admissions counselors that you are on the right track and have been working hard to achieve your goals.
3. Scholarships and Special Offers
Schools value students who have a high GPAs, but they value high test scores as well. If your test scores are already good enough for admission into your top college choices, scholarships are a great reason to continue trying to achieve the highest score you can. Many schools and institutions offer scholarships and grants to students who achieve great test scores. This can mean free money for your education that you will never have to pay back. There is no guarantee of being awarded a scholarship based on your test score alone, but it opens the door to many opportunities. If spending money on taking a test prep course helps you land a scholarship, that’s a fantastic return on your investment.
4. It Matters After College, Too
Lastly, you may be thinking that ACT and SAT scores only matter for the college acceptance process, but that isn’t the case. When you are applying for a competitive job or internship, employers will want to know how well you did in college and often ask for SAT scores as well. Your SAT score might even follow you to your second job after college.
If you have a good score, you can highlight that on your resume as a great selling point. It shows just how hard you worked to achieve your goals.
You Don’t Have to Feel Overwhelmed
Getting high standardized test scores may seem difficult, but there are a few things to remember about ACT and SAT scores to keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
- You don’t have to be the most intelligent person in the room to get good grades or a high ACT or SAT score. It’s all about hard work and dedication.
- Learning how to test can be just as important as learning the material for the test.
- Test prep courses can be a valuable addition to your study plan.
- Start practicing early so you have as much time as you need to get the score you want.
While it takes hard work, getting a high score on your ACT and SAT test is a great investment in your future. If you work hard now to achieve the best score you can, it pays dividends for many years to come.
