Underclassmen have started to consider standardized tests as the college application process is close ahead of them.
With seniors beginning the college application process and guidance counselors having meetings, underclassmen are beginning to learn about the idea of standardized testing and the importance it has to the future. The idea of standardized tests can be confusing as it isn’t something that is taught in the normal curriculum.
“[Standardized testing] levels the playing field for students here in Commack as compared to anywhere else in the state or in the country. Every curriculum might be a little different [making] your GPAs and transcripts have different grades, but standardized testing would allow…schools to compare you to students in other parts of the country,” said Bart Ayres, SAT coordinator.
Standardized tests can help with comparing students not, only based on their grades, but also how you are as a student. Colleges want to accept students that they know will succeed and put in their best effort.
“If you get a good score, it could show the admission officers [that] you are willing to put in the work and effort to get that score. It can show not only that you’re smart, but also your determination and work ethic,” said senior Sara.
The two main standardized tests used by colleges and universities for admission purposes are the SAT and the ACT. The SAT tests reading, grammar, and math skills while the ACT tests english, reading, math, and science reasoning skills.
“They are both basically the same… they are both standardized tests, so [colleges] look at [them] the same,” said Sara T.
Many students find it difficult to figure out which test to take. Since they are both looked at the same way, then there is a struggle for students to pick one over the other.
“You should take the [Practice SAT] and [Practice ACT]…the school offers it for free so take advantage of that to sort of see which one you like better,” said Sara T.
When students take tests at school, they study and prepare beforehand. In the same way, preparing for standardized tests is possible. Usually students are able to take the Practice SAT and ACT during the fall of their sophomore year.
“I took a course and that boosted my score a lot, but if you don’t want to take a course…you can download a textbook online, buy a textbook, or borrow one from the library and you can answer the questions through those and read [the] tips and tricks,” said senior Chelsea L.
One thing that underclassmen should keep in mind is that if they would want to take the SAT, preparation would need to be made differently as it will be digital starting in the spring of 2024.
“The SAT will be starting this spring digitally…it will be a shorter test [and] if it is anything like the [digital] PSAT…[students] felt that it was easier than practice tests done on paper,” said Ayres.
With the digital SAT might come fear of the unknown, but students have to remember that these changes are done for their own benefit. There are some benefits with the test being digital.
“Everything is individualized [on the Chromebooks]. If you’re testing you might be 10 seconds off from the person sitting next to you, depending on when you actually hit go. Everything is preset into the software,” said Ayres.
Students also find it difficult to figure out the right amount of times to take these standardized tests. To most, it really depends on how content one is with a score and the extra work a student wants to put into it.
“Try not to have it take up all [of] your time. It is not the end of the world. You can take it as many times as you want,” said Chelsea L.
As an underclassmen, time is on your side. Don’t worry if a score is low the first try, practice so that you know what to expect for next time.
“Prepare early, don’t wait until your junior year…there is no reason why you shouldn’t be preparing as early as possible,” said Ayres.
As this time of preparation for college applications approaches, relax and take everything step by step.
“Don’t stress out… you don’t really need an amazing SAT or ACT score to get you into the college you want to go to,” said Sara T.🔳
