The Big Tests: Taking the SATs and ACTs

Most colleges will tell you there are two “most important” factors they consider when making admissions decisions. The first is a student’s grade point average, which is the result of all the work he or she does during the four years of high school.

The second is his or her score on a standardized test-and that’s determined over the course of about four hours on a Saturday morning, a time when most teens would rather be in bed. No wonder so many students dread taking the SATs or ACTs!

Yet these tests are a critical part of the college admissions process. Whether they can reliably predict how well a student will perform in college has long been a subject of great debate. But the fact is that most colleges view these tests as a fair way to compare kids from high schools with a range of curriculums and widely different grading policies. Experts say that there’s been so much grade inflation in recent years that an A on one transcript might not be as meaningful as a B in another. Since all kids take the same standardized tests, those scores may give schools a uniform way to get a fuller picture of an applicant’s academic chops.

No college will admit to having a “cut-off”-that is, a minimum score students need to be considered for admission. But take a look at any college website or guidebook and you’ll find that schools publish the average scores of admitted students. Guidance counselors generally advise kids that they need a score within that range to have a realistic chance of getting into the school.

While students can’t study for standardized tests in the same way they cram for, say, a history final, research shows that kids who do best are generally those who’ve done a lot of practice and preparation.“Taking the SAT or ACT without preparing is like running a marathon without training,” says Kristen Campbell, director of college prep programs for Kaplan, a national test preparation service.

Here’s some advice for your student to keep in mind as he or she prepares for this mental workout:

Know the test. Every second counts in a timed test, so students should never waste precious minutes deciphering instructions on test day. Instead, they should become familiar with how the test is structured, what’s included in the various sections, and what rules they’ll be expected to follow. This basic information is available for the SATs at collegeboard.com, and for the ACTs at act.com. (For more information about choosing between the SAT and the ACT, go to newsday.com/collegepreptalk)

Practice, practice, practice. There’s no shortage of test-prep programs, ranging from free online practice exams to individual tutoring that can cost thousands of dollars. The best option for your student depends on his or her goals, drive and, of course, your budget. A highly motivated kid can buy a book or log onto a free website (like number2.com) to do practice exams and learn test-taking tricks. Students who aren’t as self-disciplined can benefit from a prep course where they’re required to show up, do homework, and practice taking exams in a realistic, test-like setting. Still others might prefer a for-a-fee online program, such as those offered by Kaplan and The Princeton Review. Regardless of which method students choose, the more work they put into it, the more effective it will be.

Try, try again. Students who aren’t satisfied with their scores should consider getting more practice-and then taking the test again. Studies have found that kids generally score 40 points higher on the SAT the second time they take it (though scores generally don’t improve on subsequent attempts). Still, there’s no harm in taking the SATs multiple times since students can now decide which test results are submitted with an application. (A handful of schools require the results of every test taken, so check with the guidance counselor to be sure.) Finally, students have the option of taking an entirely different standardized test. Someone who’s taken SATs might do better on ACTs, or vice versa. The bottom line: In an era of competitive college admissions, it’s worth doing whatever it takes to get the best possible score.