Unveiling Standardized Tests: A Guide for High School Students and Families

As high school students begin to explore their post-secondary options, standardized tests play a crucial role in the college admissions process. These tests provide institutions with a standardized measure of a student's academic abilities and potential. In this blog post, we'll dive into the three most common standardized tests – ASVAB, SAT, and ACT – and explore their significance, who should take them, and their acceptance by institutions and scholarship programs. Additionally, we'll discuss test-optional schools and the benefits of submitting test scores.

1. ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery):

• What is it? The ASVAB is a test used by the United States military to assess individuals' aptitudes for various military career paths.

• Who should take it? High school students considering a career in the military or exploring military service as an option after graduation.

• Acceptance: The ASVAB is primarily used for military enlistment purposes, but some technical and vocational institutions may also consider ASVAB scores for admissions.

2. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test):

• What is it? The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States.

• Who should take it? High school students planning to apply to colleges or universities that require SAT scores as part of their admissions process.

• Acceptance: The SAT is accepted by thousands of colleges and universities across the United States and some international institutions. Many scholarship programs also consider SAT scores for awarding scholarships.

3. ACT (American College Testing):

• What is it? The ACT is another standardized test commonly used for college admissions.

• Who should take it? High school students seeking to apply to colleges or universities that accept, prefer or require ACT scores.

• Acceptance: The ACT is accepted by a wide range of colleges and universities, including many Ivy League institutions. Similar to the SAT, numerous scholarship programs also consider ACT scores for awarding scholarships.

Read our post on the differences between the ACT and SAT here.

Test-Optional Schools: An increasing number of colleges and universities are adopting a test-optional policy. This means that applicants have the choice to submit standardized test scores as part of their application. Test-optional schools prioritize other aspects of a student's application, such as GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters. This approach acknowledges that not all students perform their best on standardized tests and aims to create a more inclusive and equitable admissions process.

Benefits of Submitting Test Scores Anyway: While some students may feel relieved by the test-optional policy, submitting test scores can still be advantageous for several reasons:

1. Demonstrating Academic Strength: Strong test scores can bolster an applicant's academic profile and demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework.

2. Scholarship Opportunities: Many scholarships rely on standardized test scores as a factor in the selection process. Submitting scores could enhance your chances of receiving scholarships.

3. Comparing Applicants: In a competitive applicant pool, test scores can provide a standardized measure for colleges to evaluate applicants from different educational backgrounds.

4. Program Admission Requirements: Some academic programs within colleges may still require or prefer test scores, even if the institution itself is test-optional.

In conclusion, standardized tests can open doors to higher education and various career paths. Each test serves a unique purpose, catering to specific academic and professional aspirations. Whether you decide to submit test scores or apply to test-optional schools, remember that these tests are just one part of the holistic admissions process. Focus on showcasing your strengths, passions, and achievements to present a well-rounded application that truly represents you.