Do the SAT and ACT Actually Matter?
This past week my stepson, Kieren, took the PSAT. It was a reality check for me that he is nearing the midpoint of his high school days. It seems like he was just in third grade! Even though he is still only a sophomore, teens are encouraged to start thinking about post-high school future plans, whether it be college, trade school, or something else during their first years in upper school. I think this is a great idea, but I have mixed feelings about standardized testing.
The PSAT is a practice test for the better-known SAT exam. Teens take the PSAT 10 during their sophomore year. A different version called the PSAT/NMSQT, which stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, can be taken sophomore or junior year. The highest scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT exam can earn major college scholarships. This is a wonderful opportunity for smart kids that are also skilled at taking standardized tests. The problem is that not all smart kids are good at taking standardized tests. Moreover – “smart” or “college ready” can mean many different things, and high school standardized tests don’t assess areas such as artistic ability.
I’ve met people that are strongly in favor of the ACT and SAT being a component of college applications and others that believe both tests are outdated and irrelevant. The argument in favor of these tests is the creation of a standard by which to compare all students regardless of what school they come from. Some schools might have different grading criteria than other schools, so admissions committees shouldn’t judge applicants on their grade point average (GPA) alone, the argument goes. I understand the reason the tests were created, but disagree with how much importance is placed on them.
Last week Kieren got the same talk I remember having at his age by high school administrators. The talk is about how important the test is to a person’s future if that person wants to go to college and how there is a test beyond the PSAT that is even more critical to college admissions. I’m not saying educators are wrong to note the importance of standardized testing as a piece of a college application. They have a duty to make sure students take the exams seriously.
What I question is the time students invest into getting standardized test scores up once they become aware of the weight these tests may have on their future. Do teens really need one more thing with already busy schedules? In the midst of striving for good grades during the day, homework, engaging in sports or other activities, and perhaps juggling a job, what time is left to invest in SAT and ACT prep courses? There are some great prep courses out there, but it still takes time away from something else, such as focusing on actual coursework.
Do the SAT and ACT actually matter? I think the answer is – it depends. Elite colleges might consider these test scores more important, and a high score on this test is likely to open scholarship opportunities at a wide variety of colleges. That being said, writing samples, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, community service, and any awards can distinguish one applicant from another in a way that test scores cannot.
If you have a child in middle school or an early high schooler that is not yet involved in extracurricular activities or community service, it is a great time to help them find their niche. If they are interested in a sport, it isn’t too late to get started, and there are plenty of intramural and non-competitive leagues in the Tulsa area. It is also easy for kids to write about something they love so finding something they connect with before it is time for college application time rolls around is key.
