Before you start worrying that your whole future depends upon the results of a single test—don’t! Though admission counselors often value test results highly when reviewing applications, they also know they’re just one facet of you as an applicant. Your GPA, essay, recommendations, and activities, among other things, give a more complete picture of you as a potential student, making it that much more important that you take the time to craft a thoughtful application. Also, though standardized tests were developed as a way of measuring student preparedness amongst widely differing high school curricula, they continue to evolve (lookin’ at you, SAT), and the importance of test results in admission varies from school to school. In fact, at some colleges, tests hardly matter at all (see “Test optional”)!
What you should worry about is when, where, how, and why to take these tests. Here we give you a glimpse at general tests and terms—but there is a lot more to them! Fortunately, you have tons of free resources available to you, whether through your library or guidance counselor or your own online research. Be sure to refer to the testing agencies’ websites, as well as the Test Prep section of our sister site, CollegeXpress.com! This is just an introduction to common testing language. For a more nitty-gritty look, we recommend the CollegeXpress SAT Word Game.
ACT
The ACT is designed to assess skills and knowledge students have developed through their coursework in school. The core ACT includes three sections: English, Mathematics, and Reading. Students may also choose to add the optional Science section and/or the optional Writing (essay) section. Some colleges may recommend or require additional testing components, so students should verify admission requirements before registering.
The ACT is offered seven times each year in the United States, with national test dates typically occurring in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. Students often take the exam during the spring of their junior year or the fall of their senior year.
ACT scores are reported on a scale of 1-36. The composite score is calculated from the required sections and rounded to the nearest whole number.
Registration fees and testing policies change periodically, so students should consult the official ACT website at act.org for the most current information on fees, test dates, and registration requirements.
AP exams
There are more than 40 AP courses and exams to choose from across the following areas: arts, English, history and social science, math and computer science, sciences, and world languages and cultures.
High school AP classes are guided by course descriptions designed by the same people behind the corresponding exams. These classes and tests are meant to measure students’ abilities with college-level work, and students can earn college credit should they achieve adequate scores. However, college and university guidelines for accepting AP credit vary wildly; some may accept a score of 3 or higher, while others require a 4 or 5. Also, a college or university’s course catalog may not correspond with AP credit in the same way as another school. Students may receive credit and/or place out of introductory courses.
AP tests are administered each year throughout the month of May and currently cost $99 per exam (additional fees may vary). Students may take multiple AP exams should they wish.
Most AP tests last two to three hours and include multiple-choice and free-response sections. Additionally, language tests have a speaking portion, and those taking the Studio Art test submit portfolios, amongst other differences.
For more information regarding AP tests, visit apstudents.collegeboard.org.
Calculators
Most math problems found on standardized tests can be completed without a calculator, but calculators are often permitted on designated math sections. Calculator use is generally prohibited during other portions of an exam, such as reading or writing sections. Policies vary by test, so students should review the calculator rules for any exam they plan to take. Both the SAT and ACT allow many scientific and graphing calculators, although certain models and features, such as computer algebra systems (CAS), may be prohibited. Some digital exams also provide an on-screen calculator. Be sure to bring an approved calculator with fresh batteries and familiarize yourself with its functions before test day.
Fees
Test fees vary by exam and are typically paid at the time of registration. Students may also encounter additional charges for services such as late registration, test-date changes, or additional score reports. Policies and fees differ among testing programs, so it is important to review the current requirements for any exam you plan to take.
Many testing organizations provide a limited number of free score reports as part of registration. For example, SAT test takers can designate colleges to receive score reports at no charge within the program's established deadlines, while additional score reports may incur fees. Students who qualify for SAT fee waivers may receive additional benefits, including free score reporting.
Students who can demonstrate financial need may be eligible for fee waivers and other cost-saving benefits. Information about these programs is available through official testing websites and high school counselors. Before registering for any standardized test, students should review all associated fees and policies to understand the full cost of testing.
Identification
Some standardized tests require students to present valid identification on test day to verify their identity and ensure test security. Identification requirements vary by testing program and location. Students who do not have an approved form of ID may need to complete alternative identification procedures before test day. Because requirements differ among testing organizations, review your test's identification policies well in advance. Failure to meet ID requirements could result in being denied admission to the testing center.
SAT
Like the ACT, the SAT is designed to assess students' readiness for college-level work. Administered by the College Board, the SAT is now delivered in a digital format and consists of two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. The exam includes no optional essay, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers. Scores range from 400 to 1600, with each section scored on a scale of 200 to 800.
The digital SAT is shorter than previous versions of the test, lasting about 2 hours and 14 minutes. It uses an adaptive format, meaning that some questions students receive later in the exam may vary based on their performance earlier in the test. The SAT is offered multiple times throughout the year and is often taken during the spring of a student's junior year or the fall of their senior year.
Registration fees and testing policies may change from year to year; registration is currently $68 (additional fees may apply). Students should consult the official SAT website for the most current information. For more information, visit satsuite.collegeboard.org.
Test optional
According to the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest), more than 2,000 U.S. colleges and universities currently have test-optional or test-free admissions policies, meaning most applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. These institutions vary widely in size, mission, selectivity, and academic focus.
The test-optional movement grew from concerns that standardized test scores may not fully reflect a student's academic potential. As a result, many colleges place greater emphasis on factors such as high school coursework, grades, essays, extracurricular involvement, and recommendations. However, testing policies vary considerably. Some colleges remain test-optional, some are test-free (do not consider scores at all), and others have recently reinstated testing requirements. Additionally, certain programs may require or recommend test scores even when the institution as a whole does not. Applicants should always review the latest admissions requirements directly with each college before applying.
How are test scores used in admission?
“We don’t think that our test should be a single source of decision,” says Steve Kappler, former Vice President of Brand Experience for the ACT. Kathleen Steinberg, former Executive Director of Communications for the College Board, agrees; she cites a recent report from the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, where respondents ranked test scores as the third-most important factor in the admission decision “behind grades in college prep courses and strength of the student’s high school curriculum, and ahead of factors such as overall GPA, application essay, class rank, and recommendations.”
At Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, standardized tests are one of six “tools” used to evaluate applicants. “We believe that, in conjunction with other items—student’s academic record, writing sample, résumé, etc.—that we can see a profile of the student and an idea of how successful they will be at our institution,” says Christine D. Bowman, Dean of Admission and Enrollment Services at Southwestern. “I think students should base their search around multiple factors, with the fit of the school being the most important.” Test scores are used for more than admission purposes too; they can determine scholarship eligibility and what classes the incoming student may be required to take or able to skip.
Students should know if and how their prospective colleges evaluate standardized tests. Look at the academic profile of the average admitted student. If you don’t meet those averages, it doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t apply to the school, but make sure you have a number of options where your academic record makes you a good fit.
So if it’s just one piece of the puzzle, what do admission counselors really think when they look at your test scores? “Who doesn’t get excited about a strong test score?” Bowman says. “But I get equally excited about someone who presents a great transcript and has great accomplishments, especially when the testing is a little off. I have found that the test scores usually parallel the academic record, but when they don’t, many times a great student is waiting to be discovered.”
