With college application deadlines on the horizon this winter, students may be debating whether or not to take the SAT. While many universities have test-optional policies, there are still compelling reasons to consider submitting a score. For Oakland Tech students looking to differentiate themselves from other public high school students, it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks before making a final decision.
The SAT consists of two sections: reading and writing, and math. Each section is scored from 200 to 800, with a total score range from 400 to 1600. Although the exam is known for its time constraints and wide range of topics, scoring in the 90th percentile or above, (around 1370+) can be highly rewarding. This gives students the freedom to apply to a wider range of schools, and strengthens their application overall. .
“Taking the SAT/ACT for a test-optional school can help your application look more competitive to schools for admission,” says Megan Wilkerson, an SAT advisor at The Princeton Review.
For those considering test-optional schools such as the UCs, submitting a strong SAT score can transform an application. Not only does it showcase a student’s test-taking skills, but it offers another perspective on their academic potential beyond just their GPA. While a solid SAT score will not secure a college admission, it can help compensate for lower grades or limited extracurricular involvement. For the universities that require SAT scores , scoring in their 75th percentile range adds security. . A few highly rated universities that require SAT scores are Stanford 75th percentile: 1540), Harvard (75th percentile: 1570) and Brown 75th percentile: 1580).
“I chose to take the SAT because I’m trying to go to the East Coast for college, and for most of them, you have a better chance of getting in if you have a better SAT score. Also, since I struggled academically last year due to personal reasons, my GPA isn’t insanely high. So, I just thought why not take the SAT to make my chances of getting into some of my dream schools better?” states Helen Huang, a senior at Oakland Tech.
It’s recommended to study a few months in advance when prepping for the SAT. There are many resources available, including Khan Academy, BlueBook, Princeton Review, Magoosh, and others.
“There are six [practice tests] available for free in the College Board BlueBook app for the SAT, and one free ACT on their website,” says Muffy Marracco, a test prep tutor and independent educational consultant with The Collegiate Edge.
While taking the SAT can be stressful, choosing to not take the test can free up more time to focus on academics and extracurricular activities alike. The SAT is only one part of the application. Because it primarily assesses test-taking skills, it doesn’t fully reflect a student’s skills. . Additionally, many colleges take a holistic approach to admissions. S students who focus on a consistent and well-rounded application could use the test-optional policies to their advantage, highlighting areas of expertise beyond standardized testing.
“I didn’t take it because my plan was to apply to UCs and CSUs and they don’t require tests. I also did really bad on my PSAT and felt discouraged by it, so I decided it was not worth the hassle,” says Macie Chao, a senior at Oakland Tech.
“However, don’t feel you’re out of options if you don’t have the opportunity or inclination to test for real. Literally thousands of colleges are test-optional, or even test-blind,” states Marracco.
Ultimately, deciding whether to take the SAT is a personal choice that depends on individual goals. Researching the admissions requirements of your target colleges is essential, as testing policies can vary.