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Independent College Admissions Consultant, Janet Rosier’s Educational Resources

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Standardized test scores are an important part of your application but they are less important than your grades. Strong grades in a rigorous curriculum are the most important factor that colleges will use to decide admissibility. In fact, how you perform in high school is a much better predictor of how you will fare in college.  High test scores and lower grades may sometimes be interpreted as “not performing to ability”. However, high test scores can be important in determining merit scholarships. And for those students who are not testers–those whose scores are not in line with their GPA– test optional colleges may be a great place to start.

Founder of Future Stars College Counseling Center

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While grades in rigorous courses are still weighed more heavily than test scores in the admissions decision, colleges realize that it is impossible to compare the difficulty in earning an A in US History at one high school versus another. The SAT and ACT are scored the same for everyone. That said, it is but one piece of the puzzle, and if you look beyond the hyper-selective colleges, it has less weight. And the good news is that more colleges are going test optional. A list of such colleges can be found at http://fairtest.org/university/optional.

College Counselor, Thomas Jefferson High School

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Though test scores are important, they are not all there is to the picture of a student and how successful they will be in college. To me most test scores show how well a student can take a test and some people just don’t test well. Equally as important is the personal statement and the description of the student’s involvements in campus life, the community and any leadership positions. Most institutions want to know about the “soul” of the students as well as the “skin and bones” of their academic achievements. After all, the old adage “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy” applies to college as well.  All “book learning” and little socialization can lead to disaster at college. All colleges are looking for the well-rounded student who can grow into their adulthood at their institution.  Recommendations can show the progress the student is making already and in the opinion of the recommenders, the potential to be successful.  Test scores aren’t everything.

Founder and Educational Consultant, Lora Lewis Consulting

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SAT. ACT. These innocent acronyms create incredible anxiety in college-bound students. If you’re applying to schools that use standardized test scores as part of their evaluation process, there’s no doubt that test scores are important. But are they ever the single factor that determines admissions? No way. Many colleges are test-optional and don’t even require test scores. Others consider them one piece of a holistic picture that includes grades (the most important factor), extracurricular activities, an essay, teacher recommendations and even an interview. Do your best on tests, but don’t stress. Great scores aren’t all you have to offer.