Many parents are confused about which test their child should focus on – the SAT or the ACT. Having a test plan in place can make all the difference.
When I worked in admissions – for UCLA, Caltech, and Scripps – the way we looked at test results varied.
At Caltech, test scores mattered a whole lot, especially the math scores and the science Subject Test scores. Early this year Caltech announced they will no longer require ANY Subject Tests, and in fact, will not consider them for admission if submitted. My hunch is MIT and Harvey Mudd may follow.
Regardless, the math section on the ACT or SAT carries significant weight in admissions decisions for STEM-oriented schools as evaluators consider and balance multiple factors (letters of recommendation, math and science course grades, and evidence of student’s passion for STEM areas).
On the other hand, at Scripps College, when evaluating student test scores, we had some flexibility about how high the scores had to be. A young person’s potential in an area or major was enough to give her serious consideration. The test scores would typically support or not support this potential.
Why should my child plan for SAT and ACT testing?
Having a test plan to take the SAT or ACT is imperative. If students start early and work with us to find the right test prep support, they will learn what they need to do in order to meet their goals.
If your child is planning to apply to Stanford, U Penn, Georgetown, Harvard, or Princeton – or even if they are considering the possibility of applying to one of these schools – it is advisable to organize their time in advance. These colleges and many others now require students to submit ALL of their SAT or ACT scores as part of the application process.
So, figuring out which test to take, when to take it, and having a study strategy in place before the actual test is essential for success.
Is it imperative that we hire a test prep company?
The answer is no. But it really depends on resources and your child’s goals. If you would like your student to have more individualized attention from someone with experience in the test, then yes, it might make sense to work with a test prep company.
If funds are limited, there are many free options online for test prep. Here are a few I recommend.
Khan Academy (SAT)
https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
ACT Official Website
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/act-online-prep.html
Recommendations for test prep companies in your area will be provided to you as our clients. We have over 10 years of experience with the companies on our lists and we know what works and what doesn’t work.
When is the optimal time to take the SAT or ACT?
The optimal time for a student to take the SAT or ACT really depends on their brain development, and factors such as athletic recruiting or tests required for summer programs (like Stanford or Johns Hopkins).
Sometimes students we’ve worked with take the test once in the spring of junior year and one more time in the fall of their senior year, and their scores go up. Sometimes students are better off taking the test early on in junior year because their knowledge base and test-taking ability is strong early on. Does taking the test earlier make a difference to admissions officers? Not at all. Taking the test when your child is ready is the key.
What is a competitive score to be a strong candidate?
It depends on the schools your child will apply to. But for highly selective colleges, high scores are non-negotiable.
That said, the test score is still only one factor in admissions. And the majority of colleges and universities in the US want to see that students have other compelling qualities in their application that have nothing to do with test scores. Qualities like compassion, leadership, involvement in service-oriented activities, or special talents and skills can go a long way. Test scores are essentially one piece of the bigger admissions puzzle.
If you are a parent of a high school student and you want to be sure your child has a manageable plan for SAT or ACT testing, contact us. We can help develop a test plan that’s right for them. To learn more about our services and to schedule a free consultation, click HERE.
