The college admissions scene is changing. For such a long stretch, SAT scores were a part of the college admissions process for students. However, increasingly colleges and universities have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies, so SATs (and ACTs) are increasingly not required for admission. While for many students this is a welcome development, it does raise an important question: If you are not required to take the SAT, do you take the SAT?
In this blog, we will explore the pros and cons of taking the SAT in an environment in which more and more institutions are distancing themselves from it. We will also help you with the decision to take the test based on likes, areas of academic strength, and the colleges you are interested in.
What Are Test-Optional and Test-Blind Schools?
Before we discuss whether you should take the SAT, it’s important to understand what test-optional and test-blind policies mean.
Test Optional: A college could be test-optional for whatever reason, but a test-optional college means you have the option to submit your SAT or ACT scores. If you think test scores will benefit your application, you can choose that option. If you think your test scores do not indicate your skill set, you can choose not to submit.
Test-Blind: A test-blind college takes this a step further, and will not consider your SAT or ACT scores if you even choose to submit test scores, there is in these cases no reason to take a standardized test.
Several institutions have recently made the decision to go with these policies, including several prestigious universities in the University of California system, especially after COVID-19. Currently, more than 1,000 colleges are test-optional, and some have even decided to permanently be test-blind.
Should You Still Take the SAT?
Even though more and more colleges are granting students the option of choosing whether they want to submit SAT scores or not, there are still many good reasons to take the SAT. Let’s look at some reasons you would choose to take the SAT and how that choice could improve your application.
1. You’re Applying for Scholarships
Even though many colleges no longer require the SAT, many merit-based scholarships still require you to take either the SAT or ACT. These scholarships can represent a substantial amount of money,$ and most are awarded based on SAT or ACT scores. If you plan to apply for competitive scholarships or grants, taking the SAT may help you gain eligibility for those opportunities.
2. You Want to Supplement Your Application
If you are applying to a competitive or selective school, showing a strong SAT score can enhance your application. A school may have a test-optional admissions policy but still could be interested in a student who submits good scores. A high SAT score can show that you took a rigorous curriculum and that you are prepared for college-level work.
3. Your GPA is Uncertain
For some people, their GPA doesn’t accurately depict their academic performance because of grade inflation or even personal obstacles. In such cases, submitting your SAT score can be a more standardized depiction of your academic performance and give you a chance to show what you are capable of doing in an academic setting.
4. You Like a Challenge
If standardized tests play to your strengths, you can use the SAT as an opportunity to see how well you can perform under the pressures of the test and time constraints. Additionally, it could help you develop your testing skills and prepare you for future educational testing or outreach.
5. You Want More Data Points with your Application
Some people are applying to many universities in highly competitive admissions cycles. By leveraging every aspect of your application, you can use the SAT as an additional rubric to differentiate yourself. Showing a strong SAT performance can show that you are aware of your grades and also have an interest in performing well in standardized tests.
Reasons to Consider Skipping the SAT
Now that we have examined reasons to consider taking the SAT, let’s examine reasons you may want to skip it altogether:
1. Test-Optional Schools Don’t Require It
If you’re applying to test-optional schools, in the most straightforward terms, you don’t need to submit SAT scores, and there is no harm in not submitting them. Many schools take a more holistic approach to admitting student applicants beyond SAT scores; GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters are often prioritized, and your SAT performance may simply not help your visibility as a candidate of that institution or may not represent your ability. You can focus on other parts of your application and avoid having your SAT come into play at all.
2. Test Anxiety or Stress
For some students, taking tests in general and standardized tests like the SAT specifically creates an undue amount of anxiety or stress. For these students, going through the SAT may impact their mental health at the time, the performance aspect at that moment, or if they do not think that the SAT would represent their capability as evidenced in the rest of the application, you have the option to feel good about foregoing test participation. If the perception is that colleges are expecting candidates to be very whole people, then SAT scores are just a piece of a much larger pie.
3. Focusing on Other Strengths of your Whole Application
As the SAT is not a determining factor for many schools, you could then put your efforts into enhancing other parts of your application, offering up your personal statement, extracurricular involvement, leadership experiences, and educational experience will often paint a nice picture about you as a person. Rather than pursuing the SAT prep, you can focus instead on building those pieces of your application.
4. Test-Blind Colleges Do Not Even Consider It
If you are going to a test-blind college, you don’t need to take the SAT because it won’t be considered when the school is considering your application. Many highly regarded colleges – especially those in the University of California system – are fully test-blind in that your SAT score is not important for gaining acceptance, regardless of how well you do.
5. A Great GPA and Extracurricular Activities May Be Enough
If you have a great GPA and have demonstrated a commitment to and leadership in your extracurricular activities, you may find that your application doesn’t need SAT scores to be strong. A lot of scholars who do well in these areas make a strong case for their application without standardized test scores.
Conclusion: Should You Opt to Take the SAT?
Deciding to take the SAT is a personal decision that will vary from school to school based on who you will be applying to and your academic plans or goals. If you are considering test-optional and/or test-blind schools, you may find that the SAT is less of a priority if you do not have to take it, giving you more scope to focus on other parts of your application. If you are also looking for merit-based scholarships, or applying to more selective schools, or you want to demonstrate your academic capacity, then the SAT may be worth it.
At the end of the day, remember that college applications are more than just test scores. Focus on submitting a complete and balanced application, and try not to stress too much about the choice of whether or not to take the SAT – your own strengths and achievements will be identifiable in the various parts of your application.
The bottom line is to choose whatever works best for you and your pathway to college goals.
How The Princeton Review Can Assist You In Understanding Whether You Should Take SAT Or Not.
One of the real decisions students must make when getting prepared for college admissions is the SAT. With the increasing number of test-optional and test-blind schools, it can feel like a lot to consider. Luckily, The Princeton Review (one of the most trustworthy companies in educational services) has useful perspectives and resources to recognize if taking the SAT is for you!
Here’s how The Princeton Review will be an asset to you in the decision-making process:
1. Personalized Guidance:
Their tutoring and coaching services will pair with an expert who will help assess your strengths and areas for growth. They can help suggest what test may suit you best! If you are unsure whether the SAT is the best test for you, you could talk through your college goals with a Princeton Review tutor and see if the SAT aligns with your college goals. The experts can also help you gain insights on alternative assessments, such as the ACT, SAT Subject Tests, and other schools’ specific entrance exams.
2. College Admission Trends and Insights:
The company can provide you with detailed insights into the college admission process. They can provide you with detailed information and trends on how some schools moved towards test-optimal policies. Knowing these trends can help make enlightened decisions as to whether investing time to prepare for the SAT will be necessary for your desired college or not.
3. Test-Optional Information:
With multiple colleges and universities changing to test-optional or test-flexible, Princeton Review can give you the most current information as to which schools are changing and how it will affect your application strategy. They will also guide you through assessing your situation and recommend the best option based on your researched schools.
4. Customizable Study Plans:
Whatever your goals are, and wherever you are academically, Princeton Review offers custom study plans for SAT prep. So if you decide to go ahead with the SAT, they can create a plan to meet your needs regardless of where you want to test on the timetable in months or a year!
5. Free Resources and Consultations:
The Princeton Review typically provides free resources, such as SAT test-taking strategies, webinars, and consultations, which you can use to learn more about the SAT, ask questions, and get advice from professionals before you make your decision.
So, to wrap it all up,
The Princeton Review helps you to gain a full picture of what the SAT is all about, while also providing personalized advice, catering to your individual goals, and showing you other options if you decide that the SAT is not the path for you.