The Stone Cold Truth re: Test Optional
Tutoring | Financial Aid Apps Prep
I want to tell you about our guaranteed SAT and ACT prep courses, but first, I'd like to address a commonly asked question:
Should My Kid Bother to Take the SAT or ACT?
Let me lay it out for you, because I seriously doubt you'll get this information from your guidance counselor or any other "expert."
60% of a college application is based on academic credentials:
*GPA
*Rigor of course load
*Standardized testing
(I'll cover the 40% some other time.)
If you take away one of the Big Three academic components, then the other two take on more weight. Simple logic.
So my first point is that there's a difference between applying test-optional and GETTING ACCEPTED test-optional. If your scores are too low to submit, AND your GPA and rigor is also lacking, you're not competitive and merely wasting your application fee.
What about the "High GPA, Bad Test Taker Phenomenon?"
Not that unusual, thanks in large part to rampant grade inflation.
Last week, I spoke to a dad whose kid had a solid C average.
What's so noteworthy about that, you ask?
That was literally the first time in at least 10 years that I encountered anyone with a C. Practically everyone has a 93 or better GPA.
Today's 84 average is yesterday's 75. But here's the thing...
College admissions officers realize this. That's why the SAT and ACT are "back." They're more reliable indicators of how well a student will fare in college, academically speaking, than your typical run-of-the-mill 93 GPA.
They'd rather see a standardized test score than not.
A child with a strong SAT or ACT has an edge over one with similar grades and extracurricular activities, but who keeps their scores to themselves.
So yes, your kid should bother to take the SAT or ACT. Do a diagnostic exam first, to determine Which Test Is Best.
Then start prepping early, even if your child is "busy."
Our SAT prep class starts this Thursday. It's small, and it's guaranteed. The guarantee is unusual, you can read about it and the rest of the course, here:
- Andy Lockwood
P.S. Here are other ways we can help: