In theory, test-optional policies help ease the burden on students applying to college – especially as testing sites have cancelled test dates. Now that we have almost finished a cycle of admissions with these new policies, there are a few Myths we want to share. 

MYTH: Students are going to skip taking the ACT and SAT

Clearly, that is not the case, as testing sites across the country fill up on the first available day of registration. While many students are going to skip taking the ACT and SAT, many are not. Test scores can and will be a key differentiator between candidates in competitive applicant pools. Optional or not, strong test performances can and will still open the door to opportunities like scholarships and honors programs. Elite students will do what it takes to fight for their spots. 

It’s important to remember that admissions officers carefully consider each applicant. A student from New York, or California, where test sites were completely shut down for months, will have good reason to apply without a test score. Students who were given many opportunities to take the test, but chose not to submit a score, may not be given the same grace. I encourage high school students in our area to prepare early and diligently for standardized tests, given the fact that a strong test score may very well be the best way to set oneself apart from other applicants. 

MYTH: Testing companies are adding test dates, so there will be plenty of opportunities to register for tests

This is where things get tricky. As tests get cancelled last minute, many students are registering for every test date “just in case.” With capacity limits remaining an issue, and test sites being closed at the last minute, registering for a test is not going to be easy. Many students will be lucky to nab a single test day seat. Getting the chance to take a test is going to be difficult enough – let alone getting multiple chances to retake to try for score improvement.

To make the most out of your Test Day opportunities, there are several strategies to consider:

• Register for multiple dates and consider both the ACT and SAT. Each test is slightly different, and students often see a real score difference between the two. Go ahead and try both if you can, and watch for opportunities to register for later dates.
• Use real practice tests effectively – Since students may not be able to register to take multiple tests, authentic practice tests are even more important. CAP offers real practice tests under real conditions, giving students the opportunity to obtain in-depth score analysis to guide their practice and growth. This is actually more helpful than taking the test too soon – an analyzed practice test will give you valuable information and guide your preparation.
• Be sure to stay on top of test and registration dates – Landing a seat at a testing center can be a challenge. Keep up with the ACT and College Board websites so you can register as soon as dates open. And check your registration often – both companies have been known to cancel sites and move students with no notice.

MYTH: “Test-Optional” schools don’t care about test scores

Colleges are test-optional, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care about test scores (if that were true, they would be test-blind). “Test-Optional” schools still have every intention of reviewing student scores that are submitted as part of an application package. Generally speaking, students with strong test scores will have a leg up on those who do not submit any.

Apart from the extra data point a test score can provide to an admissions counselor, test scores are key markers used by colleges and universities to tout their own prestige. Look at any brochure or college ranking publication and you are almost certain to find the average test scores of the latest freshman class. Higher averages imply a more selective, and higher caliber institution. A student with a high ACT or SAT score is valuable to a college. 

Also, many colleges in our area are still granting automatic merit scholarships based on GPA and test scores. Sure, there are other ways to qualify for these scholarships, but the easiest way is definitely to have both data points. A small investment in test prep can translate to thousands of dollars in additional scholarship money.

MYTH: Test prep will become obsolete

In fact, test prep has become even more important. Unless colleges go test-blind, elite students will be focused on obtaining the highest scores possible in order to stand out. In this “Test-Optional” era, strong test scores are a key way for students to set themselves apart in a crowded field of applicants. A differentiated, student-centered test prep experience can unlock that opportunity, giving students the skills, strategies, and confidence to make the most out of their test day. 

I’ve had many parents and students contact me recently, seeking advice about standardized testing strategies in this uncertain time. My advice for upcoming juniors: prepare for the PSAT, ACT, and SAT over the summer, before the stress of a busy junior year. There is a great deal of overlap in these three tests, so preparing for one translates to all. 

One note about preparing for the PSAT: many college counselors advise students not to prepare for the PSAT. After all, it seems silly to practice for a “practice” test. But students often score poorly when they go into the PSAT cold, which can lead to a generally negative, demoralized attitude towards these exams. Also, the PSAT is the roadmap to National Merit Scholarships, so doing your best can literally result in tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships. So my advice to students is to prepare yourself for the PSAT. You will score higher, have fewer mistakes/areas of weakness to focus on, and have more confidence heading into the SAT and/or ACT. 

The PSAT can qualify you for merit scholarships, but it is also a great opportunity to practice for the SAT and ACT. My advice is to treat these exams like a game, challenge, or brain teaser. Some of the questions are trying to trick you, and you are trying not to fall for their tricks. WIth every mistake on a practice test, ask yourself “How was I tricked?” Learn from that! Keep in mind that often just one additional question answered correctly on the SAT increases a student’s score 10 points, and 1 point on the ACT! Students and parents are often surprised to hear this, and having this knowledge increases a student’s confidence that they can significantly improve their score.

Two to three hours per week is an appropriate amount of time for a student to spend over the summer preparing for these exams. Remember that we tend to learn best in smaller doses over a longer period (so don’t wait to cram during the last two weeks before the exam.) In addition to leading to higher test scores, spending two to three hours per week preparing for the ACT and SAT will limit summer learning loss and help a student have a more successful junior year. Also, two to three hours per week of test prep leaves plenty of time for students to pursue the other goals of a productive, well-balanced summer.

My advice as far as which ACT and SAT exams to take in a student’s Junior year revolves around the College Board’s Question and Answer Service (QAS) and the ACT’s Test Information Release (TIR) Service. It saddens me how few families are aware of these services. For an additional $18 on the SAT and $22 on the ACT, the College Board or ACT will send the student a full breakdown of which questions were answered incorrectly and what the correct answers were. It’s the best way to increase your score on your next attempt. Imagine taking a four hour test, getting a score you are not completely satisfied with, not being told what you did wrong and then being told to take the exam again. That’s absurd! It makes more sense to review/learn from your mistakes before you take an exam for a second time. CAP provides this service with all practice tests, and we encourage you to take advantage of it on the official tests as well. 

The College Board offers QAS on the March, May, and October SATs and the ACT offers their TIR service on the December, April, and June ACTs. Therefore, I recommend that students take the June ACT before their Junior year, as a “practice” and also to get feedback on their weaknesses with the TIR service. Then they can take the PSAT at school, and the December ACT as their first “real” attempt, also with the TIR Service. I also recommend that 11th graders take the March SAT so they can order the QAS Service. Once a student has taken each test, use the official ACT/SAT concordance tables to determine the test on which the student scored higher and focus on that test going forward. Many students score about the same on the two exams, which is not surprising since there is so much overlap in the content of the two tests. In this case, the student should retake whichever test they felt more comfortable with. While the ACT is more common here in the South, colleges will accept either score.

A logical next attempt for the ACT would be April (TIR is offered again) or May for the SAT (QAS is offered again.) The goal is for this test to be the final time they need to take these exams. These are long, grueling exams that nobody wants to take more times than they need to. Of course, a student can always take the SAT or ACT an additional time if need be.

CAP offers test analysis and test prep as part of all packages. Contact us to learn more.

I’ve been thinking about our Juniors, and how the cancellation and postponement of ACT and SAT testing dates will affect them. Obviously, fewer opportunities to test means fewer opportunities to increase their scores. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that, with motivation, this is a great opportunity for students to separate themselves from the pack. While the majority of students will rejoice and relax during this downtime, a motivated student could study, take practice tests, and make improvements during this time.

I’m encouraging my juniors to use Method Test Prep online, which Hoover provides to them for free. They should take the Evaluation Tests, which only take 15-30 minutes each, and then use their results to focus their lessons on their weaknesses. I’ve shown my students how to do that, and I’d be happy to help any of you with that process. 

Juniors also need to be taking practice tests. Method has two practice tests online, and although an online test doesn’t simulate the actual testing environment, it’s still good practice. Once a month, students should also sit down to take a full-length official practice test. I offer those in my office, and I provide feedback on scores and areas of weakness.

Bottom line, if you have your sights set on scholarships, or colleges with low acceptance rates, social distancing is a great opportunity for you. Find your motivation, take advantage of your extra time and the resources available to you, and pursue your dreams!