SAT/ACT Testing: When and Why?
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Aidan Wilmott
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MARCH 19, 2022
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The Scholastic Aptitude Test and the American College Testing, also known as the SAT and ACT are standardized tests offered in every high school in the nation that measure a student’s current knowledge. Most colleges/universities require a score from at least one of these tests on their transcript. The scores for the SAT range from 0-1600 with 0 being a low score and 1600 being a high score.The scores for the ACT range from 0-36 with 0 being a low score and 36 being a high score. These tests are built to give a student and a college or university an idea of the level of current knowledge the student attains. In the past couple years the level of requirement for these tests has dropped. More and more students and people in power are leaning toward the removal of standardized testing from high schools. This debate is currently ongoing and changes are already being put into place. The tests usually occur during the start of the school year then return at the end of the school year. This allows students to possibly take the Test right before summer to see what they get then study over summer. Then they have the choice to take it again at the beginning of the next school year if needed and still input their scores onto their transcripts before college application deadlines.
Here are all the upcoming SAT test dates/deadlines
*The dates for the SAT only occur in August, October, November, December, March, April, May, and June.*
»Date- March 12 Deadline- February 11
Date- May 7 Deadline- April 8
Date- June 4 Deadline- May 5
Here are all the upcoming SAT test dates/deadlines
*The dates for the ACT only occur in February, April, June, July, September, October, and December.*
Date- April 2 Deadline- February 25
Date- June 11 Deadline- May 6
Date- July 16 Deadline- June 17
The idea of not requiring the SAT/ACT has grown and increased in popularity in the past year. Students are keen on the idea because it means less stress and work for them in their search for their future collegiate career. Colleges and Universities are starting to realize that some students do not strive in the environment these tests provide and that they aren’t a reliable way to measure a students current knowledge. The deciding factor of a student getting into a school or not shouldn’t be up to a test score. There are many other factors that contradict the reliability of the tests, these include; the major they plan on pursuing in college or the student’s test taking ability. Universities of California a.k.a. UCs have completely removed the requirement of SAT/ACT scores for class of 2022 and beyond, this is known as being test-blind. It is likely that more schools will follow this pattern in the coming years. There may also be modifications to the test in the future to make it less stressful and more feasible.
As time has gone on the accuracy in measuring one’s knowledge through a test has been studied and proven to be not as effective as they are made out to be. However, as of now the SAT/ACT are still required for many and I recommend you consider taking one or both of them. They still have several benefits and can still help you in your search for your future collegiate career. Evaluate and ask yourself if you feel you should take one of the tests and what they will offer you if you take them. Your answer to this question will determine when and why you should take the SAT/ACT.
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