From the article: Low SAT or ACT Scores? These Colleges Don't Require the Tests.
AGREE
- I got a really low ACT score today. It's my first time taking it so I'm not too stressed about it. I personally do think this is a good way to measure a student's intelligence but I also believe students really should get more time. I know this girl in my school. She's extremely smart and when time is enough, she always gets an A on the test. It's really not fair to those student who are slow thinkers.
- —Guest ME
It's not that bad!
- For one thing, I personally don't see how the SAT is all that bad; I took it in 7th grade and got a 2040. That's not my point, though. Standardized testing is useful, even necessary, in ranking students' abilities. I'm not one to say *all* colleges should have to do anything, but seriously, grades and tests should both be relevant. Yes, test anxiety is a really problem, but it all too often translates to an inability to work well under pressure. I started preparing for the SAT about three months in advance, and now I already know exactly what it's like. Just taking a test once at an earlier age can help reduce stress taking it in sophomore or junior year. I have awhile until I'll take my SAT again, but it'll be so much easier the second time. And if you can't afford to take it twice, which I really can't either, it's not that hard to simulate a real test at home. Most high schools offer ten-dollar practice tests, too.
- —Guest HS Student
So our hard work for four years doesn't
- Matter? I had a 3.8 gpa through four years of high school, tutored my peers, was an assistant, helped with the drama department, was on the honor roll and received many awards for writing, but I barely passed the ACT. I guess that doesn't matter?
- —Guest Brandi
yes to ACT/SAT
- These tests are designed to test real world, fast paced logic and reasoning. they aren't supposed test your ability to study for a test, like school.
- —Guest taylor
Better than gpa
- Their needs to be some uniformity in testing or it will be impossible to understand where one student stands among a million others. Yes, some intelligent people are not great test takers, but studying for the test really helps, especially on the SAT. America's way of testing students is also a lot more lenient than other countries, where students only get 1 or 2 chances. GPAs vary drastically from school to school and would fail horribly as the only factor for admissions. This is why most prestigious schools require test scores.
- —Guest Julia Aydin
SAT/ACT shouldn't matter
- I think that the SAT/ACT shouldn't determine wheter a person is intelligent enough to attend a college. There are some people who have masters & bachelors degrees who can't find a job! Some people just aren't good test- takers, but they are qualified to do jobs that pay well, and they can make positive contributions to society. If you have a high GPA, make good grades, and are a diligent student who cares about your future, you should be eligible to attend a college/university.
- —Guest p.y.t
What about balance?
- For me personally, the ACT and SAT does not show the over all abilities of students. The ACT or SAT only shows how well students can think under time requirements and a heck of a lot of pressure. Sure in the real world we will need to be able to handle pressure but high school and college are tools that help build up the feeling of pressure and how to deal with it. I know this sounds totally weird but dealing with pressure is a learned trait, it’s not something that comes over night and TA-DA, BAM, you're pressure free. I have a 4.00, been in my school's Academic Honors Program for two years, taken all the AP classes and I am even in NHS but I still get a low ACT (23 the first time and 25 the second time). Sure the ACT and SAT are necessary for some things but it should be balanced out with GPA and other activities. These tests should be a base line, not the final decision. There does not have to be a black and white decision; the gray area works for me.
- —Guest Emily
What do you think about me?
- I accomplished 30 college credits in my junior year. I almost got a B.S. in math. I scored a 40 on putnam exam as a high school student. Should I be going to great schools? But I only got a 23 on the ACT. The ACT is all about practice -- it isnt fair! Because in real life, you cannot practice doing a job until you are good enough to.
- —Guest Guest
yes
- The SAT and ACT are very effective ways to easily identify the intelligence of a student. Grades are not standardized and can easily vary from school to school with a student of the same intelligence who puts in the same amount of work. The SAT and ACT put all college applicants on a level playing field and is the fairest way to differentiate between students.
- —Guest dave
no to SAT scores
- In my opinion the SAT test doesn't determine who you are as a student. I for one am an AP/honor student in highschool and test horribly on standardize tests, such as the SAT. I have been studying since the end of my freshman year and still can't get a grade for my level of intelligence, according to my classes in school. The SAT is timed, putting students under immense pressure and stress, disabling them from doing their absolute best. There are other things school should look at, such as GPA, volunteer work, extra school activities, etc., when determining whether a student is acceptable for their school. In the end though, if you are a hard working student you will make it in life and in your future. Whatever you want to pursue in your life, just keep your head high and your mind focused on the prize. Good luck to all taking the SAT, hopefully schools will take a second to realize who you are as an individual and not just a test score.
- —Guest no to SAT scores
seriously??
- You guys really think that all GPA's are aptly deserved? Kids can cheat their way to good grades, but they can't do anything to cheat on these tests.Nowadays, grades have nothing to do with a person's intelligence. If you are a bad test taker, work on it and practice. These tests are designed to test your head and your wits. If you can't handle the pressure of finishing the SAT or the ACT, then you'll never be able to handle the pressures in college. That's what it is designed for. GPA's are no longer indicative of what students can do. I know mine aren't. All you people who say they aren't stupid, I believe you. Just don't complain about tests that are supposed to help colleges find the best candidates for their college.
- —Guest Stunned
Wow....
- The funny thing is that most people who are complaining about these tests have some grammar issues scattered throughout their one paragraph response. Wow. No wonder you got a low SAT/ACT score. From my experience these tests do a darn good job of measuring knowledge and ability to flourish under pressure, two things that are key in succeeding at college.
- —Guest HS Student
NO SAT FOR CANADIANS
- Im Canadian, 97% average in grade 10, and suck at reading and writing components of SAT because our English curriculum doesn't do the kind of stuff the SAT looks for. We have no prep classes in Canada, and the only reason I got info. on the SAT is b/c I live near the border, so we get other students who want to go to the US too. So, I can't get better really at the reading and writing. We are Canadian; we can speak english. Why should we have to write the SAT when we can't get prep classes and you states kids can??? dumb
- —Guest Canadian Student
Well..
- I for one have never enjoyed tests (not many of us have). But I do believe the SAT to be a necessary requirement. It is there to help the college assess what type of student you will be. For instance my brother did not do well on his math studies because he did not apply himself, but is exceptional at reasoning. I believe this will come to his aid when he takes the SAT. On the other hand I did quite a bit better in all of my courses. Though I am not a very good "test taker", especially when there is a timer. And therefore I might struggle. But If I master the art of timed tests I will improve my ability to take the SAT. People who think these types of tests are useless and unnecessary are to say the least misinformed.
- —Guest High School student
ACT should not count
- I am a freshman in college and furious! My financial aid finally came through and the only thing I recieved is my KHEES money. I had a 3.5 overall GPA in high school but only a 20 on my ACT. My GPA is well over all the requirements for scholarships, but it's my ACT score holding me back! I already had to change my choice of school because I didn't have the money to pay for my first choice. I don't understand why the ACT is such a big deal. The first time I took my ACT I got a 19, then I took it a 2nd time and raised my subscores 6 points. I thought my composite score would be a lot better,but no,it was only a 20, 1 whole point! Because my ACT score isn't high I don't get money for college even though I had a 3.5 GPA. I am a good student but missing out on money because of my ACT score. Just because I have a 20 on my ACT doesn't make me dumb, and just because someone gets a high ACT score doesn't make them a good student. ACT should not count; what does it even measure?
- —Guest Mad College Freshman
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