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8 Things to Know About How Colleges Use Admission Tests
College admission tests, like the SAT, are standardized tests typically taken in your junior or senior year. Colleges use scores from these tests to help them make admission decisions. Each college has its own admission processes and policies, and they use scores differently. Here are the facts you need to know.
1. Most Four-Year Colleges Use Test Scores in Their Admission Decisions
SAT scores help colleges compare students from different high schools. Your scores show your strengths and readiness for college work. But remember, scores are just one part of your college application, along with grades, course rigor and recommendations.
2. Test Scores Are Not the Most Important Factor
When they use scores in admission decisions, different colleges weight the scores differently. But no matter which college you’re applying to, test scores are not the most important factor. Colleges give the most weight to your grades and the rigor of your classes.
3. Most Colleges Publish Student Test-Score Information
Some colleges publish the average scores of their students, and others show ranges. If you’re interested in a particular college, you can see how your scores compare. But keep in mind that most colleges admit students with a wide range of scores; there are always some students who score above and some below the published scores. Think of these scores as a guide, not a cutoff.
4. Admission Tests Let Colleges Find You
When you sign up for the SAT, you get the chance to hear from colleges that have an interest in you based on a combination of your test scores, grades, academic interests, and other characteristics. The PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and PSAT 10 offer opportunities for you to indicate your desire to have your name shared with interested colleges.
5. Colleges May Use Scores to Award Scholarships
Most scholarship money — money you do not have to pay back — comes from colleges. Some colleges use your test scores, alone or in combination with other characteristics and achievements, to award their funds. Some colleges may even automatically award you a scholarship if you earn a certain score.
Other organizations and private companies that award scholarships may also require your test scores as part of their scholarship applications.
6. Scores May Determine Placement in College Classes
Admission tests like the SAT evaluate the reading, writing and math skills you’ll need in college. So some colleges use scores to place students in classes that are at the right level for them. Scores can also be used to identify students who may benefit from specific advisors or academic support in college.
7. Most Four-Year Colleges Require Scores, and Some Two-Year Colleges Recommend Them
Nearly all four-year colleges require you to submit admission test scores — you can’t apply without them. The SAT is accepted by almost all U.S. colleges. Some four-year colleges and open-admission colleges, including community colleges, don’t require scores but may use them for placement or scholarships.
8. Colleges Consider Multiple Scores in Different Ways
You decide who sees your scores, because you’re in charge of sending them. If you take the SAT more than once, you can often choose to send only your best scores. But each college sets its own policy for how it uses multiple scores:
- Some colleges require all your scores.
- Some colleges look at your highest combined scores from one test date.
- Some colleges accept your highest section scores from any day you tested.
Learn more about score reporting.
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Idea Center High School
Grossmont Union High School District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on age, gender, sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or the perception of one or more of such characteristics. (GUHSD Board Policy 5145.3)
4119.26 BP Employee/Student Interaction Policy
Additional non-discrimination and related policies
4119.26 BP Employee/Student Interaction Policy
Additional non-discrimination and related policies
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