Page 44 - Admissions Logistics 2020

TAKING THE TESTS
No college college admissions book would be complete without information on on on the the the “big” tests: the the the ACT ACT and and and and and the the the the the the SAT SAT SAT ACT ACT ACT and and and and and SAT SAT SAT scores matter to most colleges and and and and and universities There are however institutions that do not use use the the the the the the ACT ACT and and and and and and SAT SAT SAT in in in their their admissions and and and and and and de-emphasize the the the the the the use use of standardized tests when making their their decisions Visit fairtest org/university/optional for the the the the the current list These scores scores are are used as as as admissions criteria Many students use use high test scores scores to balance out other areas of their application that may be be lacking such as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a lower GPA No matter the the the the the situation a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a high score will be be in in in in in your your favor Most testing companies including the the the the the the the ACT and and and the the the the the the the College Board claim claim the the the the the tests measure your your your acquired knowledge and and and aptitude and and and therefore claim claim that test test test test preparation will not increase your your chances of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a higher score Truthfully though the the the the the ACT and and SAT are devised in in such a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a way that they test test test how well you you take the the the test test test itself which can be practiced and and nearly mastered We We advise that you you you you take take take both both the ACT and and SAT They’re devised very differently and and you you you you won’t know which which one one you’ll perform better on on on on until you you you you you take take take both both both We We suggest i if possible to to take take take practice rounds of of of both both to to start gaining a a a a a a a a a a a a a sense of of of which which one one suits your natural test-taking ability better You take these either at at the the the the end of of of of first semester semester junior junior year year or or or or the the the the beginning of of of of second semester semester junior junior junior year year year For most students this will will fall somewhere between December and and February and and and no later than March of junior junior year year Each test registration will will require identifying information and and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a fee Your scores can be be sent directly to to to to your school school school for for for for free Hold onto them them before sending them them to to to to to to any schools schools to to to to to to wait and and see how you you you perform on on on later tests tests Most schools schools now offer score score score score choice choice a a a a a a a a tool which which which allows you you you you you to to to to to to decide which which which tests tests scores scores from which which which dates you you you you you wish to to to to present present With score score score score score choice choice you you you you you can cherry-pick your best best scores scores scores to to to to present present the best best overall portrait Some schools won’t allow this and will make make you you you you you you you submit all all all all scores scores scores at at once but it’s good to to to hold onto all all all all scores scores until you’re ready to to to make make decisions so that you you you you can keep your options open The ACT has four sections: English Math Reading and Science with a a a a a a a a a a a fifth optional section section the the the Essay Essay We recommend taking the the the Essay Essay portion although it it it it will not impact your composite score score score score Students receive receive scores scores on on on on on on a a a a a a a a a a a a 1-36-point 1-36-point range on on on on on on each section with a a a a a a a a a a a a 20 being roughly the the the the 50th percentile In addition to these sub-scores sub-scores you you will receive receive a a a a a a a a a a a a composite score score score score score on on on on on a a a a a a a a a a a a 1-36-point 1-36-point range which is is is the the simple average of your sub-scores sub-scores The ACT is is is administered seven times a a a a a a a a a a a year in in February April June July September October and December The web address to to register for for for the the the ACT ACT is is is is www act org Like the the the SAT the the the ACT ACT is is is is known for for for being a a a a a a a a a a a a a a consistent test a a a a a a a a a a a a a a quality that makes it it it worthwhile to to study and and prepare for for for for for Make sure you fully understand the directions before taking it it it it The ACT is is is is used almost solely for for for admissions purposes and and and is is accepted by virtually all all US colleges and and and universities 32