SAT/ACT scores showcase your reasoning ability, therefore most merit scholarships are based on test scores.To compete effectively with an applicant who has stellar SAT/ACT test scores, your profile needs to be that much stronger and balanced. If you are going in without standardized test scores, your academic performance throughout high school and your profile will come under greater scrutiny.Thus, taking the SAT/ACT will keep more options open for you. Even as some more colleges decide to go test-optional, many colleges may still require the SAT/ACT scores.You need to examine your unique profile, aspirations and strengths before making a decision. The test-optional scenario has opened up more choices for students. The US Admissions Process and the entire Education System is based on a very strong Honor Code if students can’t uphold that code, maybe the US isn't the right destination for them anyway! How do I evaluate whether I should take a standardized test or not? One thing is for certain. In the present scenario, universities are conducting final semester evaluations, in a digital at-home format too. ![]() In fact, students are being encouraged to submit the home-test scores only if they believe the score is an accurate reflection of their aptitude. Colleges are explicitly stating that they will question the results of home testing if they are not in sync with the student’s overall academic calibre. However, colleges will use their discretion too while evaluating the application. Can home-testing ensure fair assessment? Testing bodies are taking necessary steps to ensure fairness, such as administering the tests at a fixed time across different time zones or asking candidates to switch on their testing device’s video camera while writing the test. The standardized tests even out the playing field for all applicants, whether rich or poor, by giving students a fair chance to showcase their academic acumen. A privileged student who may have employed a full-time tutor might still not perform well while a student with no additional test prep support may naturally ace the test. Each year I have observed that the Standardised Tests are an important tool to assess reasoning skills and aptitude fairly. As a counsellor, I have worked with students from all over the world. What is the role of SAT/ACT in the application process? Apart from being a means of uniform evaluation of diverse global applicants, the Standardized Tests also enable colleges to eliminate and categorize applications prior to reviewing them. Only students with high standardized scores would report the scores, inflating the average test score for the schools.An increased number of applicants results in a lower acceptance rate.Other than trying to ease out the admissions process, this benefits the institution's rankings too. ![]() Why do colleges go test-optional? Colleges were going test-optional even before Covid-19 hit the world. What you need to remember is that most of these schools still do factor in test scores should you choose to include them in your application. When a school announces that it is 'test-optional', this simply means that test scores are not required to complete the application. As with most things in life, however, the truth is more complicated and needs careful evaluation. No more proving yourself through a test score. No more toiling through history and science passages. No more of getting worked up about getting each multiple-choice question right. Should you still bother taking the SAT or the ACT? After all, this test-optional situation does sound like a waiver of some sort at first. The important question is- Does ‘test-optional’ mean ‘test-dispensable’? To answer this question, let’s first understand the difference between the various testing policies. ![]() The College Board is working on making the SAT an online exam soon. While there is not much information available on this yet.
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