| Standardized tests are a fact of life for | | | | This test is scored on a 1-36 point scale. |
| high school students applying to college. | | | | Students can opt to take additional writing |
| Their scores on the test are heavily weighted | | | | ACTs if they deem that a necessary part of |
| in the college admissions process, and stress | | | | applying to college. |
| among high school students runs high during | | | | |
| test season. Despite stresses, and the | | | | Despite the concerns, standardized tests |
| protests of many students and teachers that | | | | scores still carry lots of weight in the |
| claim the tests are poor representations of a | | | | college admissions world. They are vitally |
| student's ability, standardized tests are | | | | important, and students should prepare |
| still a major part of college admissions. | | | | appropriately. For some students this means |
| Knowing their full affect on college | | | | investing in test prep materials, books or |
| admissions will give students peace-of-mind | | | | even private tutors. The fee for private test |
| before and after the tests. | | | | tutors is often quite high, but some give |
| | | | them credit for raising test scores. Other |
| Why are some students and administrators | | | | students take the test multiple times. They |
| opposed to standardized tests? The detractors | | | | have to pay the test fees multiple times, but |
| say that because the tests are too rigid and | | | | scores often increase on the second attempt. |
| paint all students with one brush. The tests | | | | |
| are given and scored in a uniform way, which | | | | The ACT and SAT are administered across the |
| gives an edge to students that are good test | | | | country on their own national testing days. |
| takers. Students that are presentation, | | | | Students must register beforehand, and there |
| writing or project oriented may not perform | | | | are national on-time and late registration |
| to their potential, some say. Plus, the test | | | | periods for high school students. Either test |
| only measures student achievement on one day. | | | | can be demystified and conquered through |
| | | | preparation and planning. Practice. Sleep |
| In response to complaints about the SAT's | | | | well the night before. Arrive early. These |
| shortcomings some changes were made in | | | | simple tactics reduce stress and allow |
| attempts to make it a better, more accurate | | | | students to focus on the task at hand. |
| tool. The 1600 point grade scale has been | | | | |
| scraped in favor of a 2400 point scale. A new | | | | It is an unavoidable fact that students |
| writing section was added to the | | | | wanting to gain access to public and private |
| multiple-choice English and math sections. | | | | four year colleges will need to take |
| The changes were recently implemented and | | | | standardized test as a show of their academic |
| test observers cannot yet tell if these | | | | status. It's important for students to |
| changes are indeed improvements. | | | | remember that while important, these tests |
| | | | aren't the only way colleges judge college |
| The ACT is also a common college admissions | | | | worthiness. Colleges realize that achievement |
| test, yet many students opt out of taking it. | | | | and success over time is more likely an |
| Not all schools require this test be | | | | indication of future success than one day of |
| taken-which measure proficiency in science, | | | | tests. |
| social studies and other specific subjects. | | | | |