What do I need to know about the ACT/SAT?

The big first question is, “Do I really have to take one of these tests?”

And, unfortunately, there’s no really perfect answer. The college admissions world is highly conflicted about the ACT/SAT and their role within college admissions. Most studies reinforce that they are highly predictive of success in college. Still, others hope to wave goodbye to the whole testing process altogether. During the pandemic, pretty much every school became test-optional, and very few have gone back to fully requiring the tests. In response, the SAT is about to have a new, tech-savvy facelift. The ACT is also available as a computer-based test now. So, are standardized tests in or are they out?

Been doing this for a while, and I see standardized tests making a comeback. They’re far too important as the only truly objective “yardstick” evaluation, as opposed to the subjective nature of grades, essays, interviews, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities…you get the idea.

It goes without saying, I believe that testing is just one aspect of an application. That said, here’s our advice: Give yourself options. Take a free diagnostic test with us to determine which one might be better for you. See where you stand as a starting point. And then, most likely, prep for and take one of the tests! You can decide later whether to submit the scores. Hence, the term “optional”.

So here’s the easy part. Click here to request one of these magical mock tests. Did I already say that it’s totally free?

—Dov