What Do Changes in Standardized Testing Mean for College Applicants?
college application process recently, but even more so in the past year due to the impact of the
pandemic on SAT/ACT testing opportunities. A “test optional” college/university does not require
SAT or ACT scores but will accept them as part of an application. “Test blind” schools will no
longer consider SAT/ACT scores at all when reviewing applications for admissions. Due to the
pandemic, many colleges were either test optional or test blind this past year because of the
inability of many students to even find a test center with available seating. As for the 2021-22
applications, many schools will continue with last year’s policy while others are still undecided.
Some schools, such as the University of California, have announced that they intend to phase
out SAT/ACT test requirements altogether. The College Board recently announced several
significant changes to the SAT, including eliminating the optional essay portion as well as
individual Subject Tests. They also are planning to streamline the exam and possibly allow
students to take the exam digitally.
Since SAT/ACT scores, which have always been a critical component of college applications,
are now either optional or not considered at all for many schools, it is important to examine
which other aspects of the college application process students can focus on to make sure they
are submitting the strongest application possible.
Grades: Now more than ever, students’ GPAs are a critically important component of college
applications. Grades and standardized test scores have always been very important factors
considered by colleges when reviewing applications. Students with lower GPAs could increase
their chances for admission to some schools with a stellar score on the SAT or ACT. Now that
component (in many cases) is no longer part of the admissions equation. Therefore, it is
important for students to make sure their grades are as impressive as possible. One way
students excel in class is to stay on top of the work from day one. Working one-on-one with a
tutor who has expertise in the academic subject is a great way to accomplish this. Many people
don’t think of hiring a private tutor until their student is struggling in class, but starting early can
be fundamental in their success! Regardless of whether your student is just starting a class or is
weeks into it and is struggling, bringing a tutor on board to help them understand the material,
prepare for exams and complete homework or class projects can make all the difference.
Class Rigor/AP Courses: With schools no longer requiring (or in some cases no longer even
considering) standardized test scores, having a transcript that shows the student has taken
challenging classes will strengthen his or her application. This includes taking Advanced
Placement courses when possible. One of the changes announced by the SAT is the
elimination of individual Subject Tests. According to the Washington Post, “[Subject] tests have
seemed in some ways to overlap with the College Board’s Advanced Placement testing
program. AP tests, which are longer and include free-response questions, have proliferated in
recent years.” AP courses are college-level, challenging classes. Doing well in an AP course
and scoring high on the AP exam at the end of the school year not only provides students with a
bump in GPA and college credit but also strengthens a student’s application, particularly with
highly sought after competitive schools. AP courses move quickly through ambitious curricula.
Hiring a tutor to help your student keep up with the course can be very helpful and ensure they
don’t get overwhelmed. In addition, working with an experienced tutor to prepare for the AP
exam is a critical component in giving students an excellent chance of performing well and
earning an optimal score.
Private College Counselor: As applying to college has become more complicated and
competitive, with less direct help (particularly during the pandemic with schools closed), many
families have turned to private independent counselors to help them navigate the process.
While high schools generally have counselors on staff who will help students with some of the
basics of applying to college, they are generally working with hundreds of students and
therefore cannot give students much one-on-one guidance. Private college counselors work
with far fewer students and will be able to give your student personalized and dedicated
attention that helps to ensure success. An independent counselor will help students develop a
list of schools to apply to that reflect their wishes, while also giving them a sense of which
schools are realistic for them based on their grades and experiences. With SAT/ACT scores no
longer part of the college application for many colleges/universities, an independent counselor
can identify other aspects of the application packet that can boost their chances of admission.
These include participating in community service and extracurricular activities, developing a
resume, highlighting awards and honors, and most importantly (with guidance from the
counselor) writing strong, impactful and memorable application essays. Counselors can also
provide information on financial aid and help families accurately fill out the required forms such
as the FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid Profile. Finally, an independent counselor will work
directly with your students to make sure they stay on track in order to meet all important
deadlines and ensure that they accurately and completely fill out all of their applications.
Synergy Academics is a comprehensive academic tutoring center with a wide variety of
programs that can help students who are aspiring toward a college education, whether they’re
at the beginning of the process or already deeply in it. We provide subject tutoring in dozens of
different subjects including AP courses, SAT and ACT test prep for students still taking these
exams, and college counseling and financial aid services. We look forward to being an
important part of your student’s college application journey!
