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Emily Curry

Professor Hughes

English 1201-517

26 April 2020

The College Admissions Process and the Necessity of ACT and SAT Scores

The ACT, something I dreaded, but had to take while in high school. The big test that

determined if I got into my dream college. Everyone goes into high school just wanting to have

the best four years of their lives, I know I did. But teachers and administrators just talk about the

importance of the ACT and SAT and preparing for what’s to come after high school. The ACT

and SAT are so important and talked about by teachers and administrators that high schools and

test companies offer tutoring and test prep courses. Everyone takes the ACT or the SAT, if not

both, with the hope of getting a score that is good enough for their dream college. Scores come

out months later, some are happy, and some are not. Lots of people will take these tests twice,

sometimes three times, or until they are satisfied with their scores. When I took the ACT, I knew

how important it was because most colleges require ACT and/or SAT scores. Senior year rolls

around and everyone is filling out college applications. Every senior is sending in ACT and SAT

scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation hoping they are all good enough to get in. In

the applications, it doesn’t explain why they use ACT and SAT scores or how they are used.

When students find out if they got into their dream college or not, some are frustrated. Frustrated

with the fact that they didn’t get in. Worried if it was their test scores or their grades. Lots of

people with great grades blame their mediocre test scores. These students start wondering why

these scores are even necessary and why they are used. ACT and SAT scores indicate success,
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potential, and decide who’s awarded scholarships, which makes them necessary in the college

admissions process.

Before the ACT and SAT, each college that required an entrance exam used their own.

These entrance exams consisted of questions related to the institution that assessed student's

college readiness. In the 1900s, the ACT and SAT were developed with the purpose of giving

everyone an opportunity of taking a standardized test that could be used for multiple institution

applications. The SAT was developed first, then the ACT was developed about 30 years later

(Syverson 56). The tests were originally very different. Steven Syverson, former admissions and

financial aid dean at Lawrence University, explained the SAT assessed critical thinking and

problem-solving skills needed for college success; not related to high school curriculum.

Whereas, the ACT tested students on their proficiency of the high school curriculum (57). Even

though they were different, colleges used them both as useful information in their admission

process. Over the years, the ACT and SAT have been altered to meet school curriculums and

colleges’ needs. Originally not everyone took these tests because not everyone had the

opportunity to, but now everyone in the nation takes at least the ACT or the SAT. These tests can

be taken as many times as a student desires. In Ohio, along with many other states, every junior

in high school must take the ACT one time for free. This gives everyone the opportunity to take

the ACT at least once. Since these tests can be taken multiple times, students can send their

results however many times they want to colleges. They can send all of their test scores to

colleges or they can send some of their scores; for instance, students can send their scores from

the first time taking the test and they can send their scores from the third time taking the test, but

they don’t have to send their scores from the second time taking the test. Also, depending on the

college, some colleges will look at students’ ACT/SAT super score. Which are the best scores of
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each test section combined. Today, colleges use these tests interchangeably and will require

either both or either the ACT or SAT.

Colleges find using ACT and SAT scores necessary because they indicate success in

college. Student’s scores on these tests help colleges get a picture of how students will do during

their first four years at college. These tests are “designed to measure cognitive abilities needed to

succeed in college” (qtd. in Penn), stated Wayne Camara, vice president for development and

research at the College Board. Since these tests have the purpose of testing certain abilities

needed for success in college, colleges assume that students with good scores will succeed. This

makes the test important for colleges to look at because it is a test that measures certain abilities

needed to succeed. Camara also explains that there have been studies done to prove that these

tests indicate success by comparing them to college freshman grades. He explains, “thousands of

validity studies and intense analysis of the SAT reveals that it has helped to reliably predict

college success when SAT scores are compared with college freshman grade point averages”

(qtd. in Penn). Since there continues to be evidence that the ACT and SAT are dependable when

predicting college success, they are necessary to the admissions process (Penn).

Colleges have discovered that these test scores, combined with grades are the greatest

predictor of success. Jack Buckley, from the American Institutes for Research states,

“Standardized test scores-especially when combined with grades- have significant predictive

validity for college performance and completion across racial groups, genders, and

socioeconomic statuses” (Buckley). A writer for the Los Angeles Times did similar research and

found that the ACT and College Board would argue the same thing; the greatest guide to follow

when choosing students who are most likely to have college success is looking at a combination

of grades and ACT and SAT scores. Unfairness could become worse if grades are used without
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these scores (Watanabe). Since the ACT and SAT are standardized tests and evaluate everyone

the same, the scores are reliable because students are assessed on the same criteria in the same

testing environment; whereas, the “variability among high schools in both grading standards and

academic rigor limits the value of high school transcripts in assessing preparation for college and

in predicting likelihood of success in college” (qtd. in Syverson 59), states researcher in

educational assessment and psychometrics, Rebecca Zwick. Most colleges will use test scores

and grades together to decide if the student will succeed. Without ACT and SAT scores, colleges

would only have grades as factual evidence to predict success. This makes ACT and SAT scores

necessary to help indicate college success.

College success is not the only thing indicated by ACT and SAT scores; they also

indicate potential in college. These scores help colleges decide who has potential of doing good

in school. For instance, “for many college admissions officers, standardized tests provide a

neutral yardstick for measuring student potential and performance” (Buckley). About 4 million

applications are submitted each year, and depending on the college and their requirements, ACT

and SAT scores show a student’s potential based on how well they scored and if their score

improved the more times they took it. The ACT and SAT are good at predicting success and

readiness because they are tests that assess students on all they have learned. With so many

applications, it is impossible to read every student’s application in detail, so they use these scores

to decide who has a better potential at succeeding. The College Board points out that student’s

strengths and preparedness for college are revealed through test scores (“8 Things to Know”).

Colleges will take this information and assume that students with higher ACT and SAT scores

have greater potential at succeeding and doing well at their college. Wayne Camara also

confirms that the SAT is good at predicting science, math, and social science grades of college
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freshmen (Penn). The ACT is composed of 4 parts: English, math, reading, and science. The

SAT is composed of 3 parts: reading, writing, and math. There is also an optional essay for both

tests. Since you are tested on these certain subjects, the scores students receive do a good job at

indicating a student’s potential in those certain classes. ACT and SAT scores are necessary to

colleges since they are the most helpful tool in deciding if a student has potential because the

scores show strengths, readiness, and understanding in subjects.

These tests are an easy and fast way for colleges to compare students, making them

necessary. In an article written by the College Board, they inform people that most colleges use

ACT and SAT scores because they are a helpful tool when comparing incoming freshmen from

varying schools (“8 Things to Know”). When colleges are between people with similar grades,

who go to different high schools, that have a similar curriculum, they will look at ACT and SAT

scores. Students who score higher than other students with similar grades, are more likely to get

accepted. It is an easy and fast way to compare students. So many applications are submitted to

colleges each year, so some colleges will compare students’ scores based on if their scores are

high enough for the college. If high enough, colleges will give those applications a further look.

Randall Deike, Cleveland State Universities enrollment senior vice president, agrees that test

results are a fast way to compare students especially at large universities. He explains that at

large universities with lots of applicants, the ACT and SAT make admissions officer’s job easier

(Hoover). The college admissions process is very competitive, and if there are two students with

similar grades, test scores are needed to make a final decision.

Student’s ACT and SAT scores help correct grade inflation. This is where students

receive higher grades than they should, to keep their high GPA (Grade Point Average) or

reputation. In other words, it’s grading leniency. Research has shown that over the last 20 years,
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grades have been rising (Buckley). This means that grades can be unreliable on their own. This

has caused an increase on the necessity of ACT and SAT scores because they are utilized to

correct grade inflation by admission directors (Penn). The Harvard dean explains that ACT and

SAT scores are also used by colleges to relieve worries about grade inflation (Hoover). Colleges

don’t know everything about every high school. They don’t know what each teacher is like and

what their teaching and grading style is like. Colleges only know what is on the student's

application. The dean at Harvard confirms, “we want to give people as many opportunities as

possible to show what they can do, particularly when we don’t know everything about their high

schools” (qtd. in Hoover). ACT and SAT scores are necessary to prove student’s grades make

sense with their test score.

These scores are also necessary to colleges because they decide who’s awarded

scholarships. Most colleges have incoming freshmen scholarships that require a certain ACT

and/or SAT score to decide who will receive money. For example, on a college’s website under

scholarship information, there will be a list of certain scholarships available for incoming

freshmen. Each scholarship will have requirements listed, saying how high of an ACT and/or

SAT score is needed for that scholarship. When applications are sent in, colleges will look at

ACT and SAT scores to see if people meet certain scholarship requirements. Every college is

different when deciding what ACT and/or SAT score is needed. It depends how prestigious the

college is. There could also be different levels of scholarships awarded based on ACT and/or

SAT scores. For instance, at the University of South Florida there are different levels of

freshmen admissions scholarships that can be awarded with different ACT and SAT

requirements (“Freshmen Admissions Scholarships”), as shown in fig. 1 at the end of the

paragraph. ACT and SAT scores can be used alone or with grades to decide who receives
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scholarship money (“8 Things to Know”). Colleges will require and make ACT and/or SAT

scores necessary from students who apply for scholarships.

Fig. 1. The University of South Florida’s incoming out-of-state freshmen scholarship levels

and requirements (“Freshmen Admissions Scholarships”).

Along with being necessary for scholarships, ACT and SAT scores are also necessary to

decide what class level students should be in, for example, higher level classes or standard

classes. The University of Washington finds these scores important as they use ACT and SAT

scores to put students in courses they will succeed in and to get students into tutoring if needed

(Hoover). They explain that if a student has great grades, A’s and B’s, but doesn’t do great on a

section of the ACT or SAT, they might need extra help in that certain subject (Hoover). They

will be used to decide what route a student should take academically. ACT and SAT scores also
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decide if students are ready for college level classes, or if they need to start with easier, general

classes. A student’s test scores will help academic advisors understand how much help a student

will need to succeed in college (Velasco).

Some will argue that ACT/SAT scores should be optional in the admissions process

because they are not necessary. These people and colleges believe that a student’s admission

decision can be made solely on grades and achievements. Some colleges have made these tests

optional in the admissions process. These colleges have found positive diversity outcomes from

this decision (Buckley). Even though these colleges have gone test optional, they allow students

to send ACT and SAT scores if they want to. Colleges that are test optional find that more people

apply because there isn’t a test average of who gets in listed when they search the college; for

instance, there isn’t information stated that people with ACT scores between 24-30 are the main

people accepted. The colleges that have become test optional have seen mostly positive

outcomes; however, they find that more of the people taken at these colleges are less qualified

and bring the college’s statistics down due to accepting low ACT and SAT scores. Also, the

schools that have gone the test optional route, because they believe the tests aren’t necessary, are

colleges that don’t need these tests; for example, performing arts schools and art institutes

(Syverson 62).

People that believe the ACT and SAT aren’t necessary argue that success isn’t

necessarily a grade. People can get great grades, but not necessarily be successful. These people

agree that ACT and SAT scores predict freshman year grades, but that doesn’t mean they should

be required. A vice president at a college that has gone test optional states, “success isn’t a

grade-point average. I’ve got lots of students who get C’s but who have a fabulous college

experience. They develop social skills and leadership skills. Being a good citizen is a successful
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outcome” (qtd. in Hoover). They believe that being successful is getting through college,

learning, and growing as a person, and that ACT and SAT scores cannot prove any of that.

Through all the anxiety and stress the ACT and SAT caused me, I knew how important

and necessary it was for me to take them if I wanted to get into my dream school. I didn’t take

the ACT seriously the first time I took it because I had great grades and didn’t think my scores

would matter that much. However, I’m glad I took the second time taking it more seriously

because every college I applied to required the scores and I realized they would be used with my

grades as a main factor if I got in or not. Listen to teachers when they say these tests are

important because most colleges require ACT and/or SAT scores, and they are necessary in the

admissions process. When taking these tests, acknowledge the fact that they are important and

will be looked at by colleges. Each college uses these scores differently. Some focus on them in

depth and others just glance over them. They will use them to compare students and decide who

will succeed at their university. Colleges will use them along with grades to make decisions.

They will be looked at when deciding how much scholarship money a certain person will

receive. Admissions offices will also be looking at them to decide what class level someone

belongs in. The ACT and SAT are necessary in the college admissions process because they

indicate success, potential, and decide who’s awarded scholarships.

Works Cited

Buckley, Jack. "Standardized Tests Provide Valuable Indicators of Student Potential." Gale

Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2020. Gale In Context: Opposing

Viewpoints, https://link-gale-

com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/AKBCDO039718475/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC

&xid=506c0f26. Accessed 29 Feb. 2020.

“Freshmen Admissions Scholarships.” Freshman Scholarships for Non-FL Residents | USF

Office of Admissions, www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admissions-

scholarships/nonflorida.aspx. Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

Hoover, Eric. “Take Tests Down a Notch, Report Says. (Cover Story).” Chronicle of Higher

Education, vol. 55, no. 5, 26 Sept. 2008, pp. A1–A22. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=34713528&site=ehost-live.

Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

Penn, Jeffrey. "Standardized Testing Measures College Success." Standardized Testing, edited

by Diane Andrews Henningfeld, Greenhaven Press, 2008. At Issue. Gale In Context:

Opposing Viewpoints, https://link-gale-

com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/EJ3010478210/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=

d3a5830a. Accessed 29 Feb. 2020.

Syverson, Steven. “The Role of Standardized Tests in College Admissions: Test-Optional

Admissions.” New Directions for Student Services, vol. 2007, no. 118, Summer 2007, pp.

55–70. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1002/ss.241. Accessed 29 Feb. 2020.

Velasco, Jessica. “Why Your Test Scores Matter in College Admissions.” College Raptor Blog,

27 Nov. 2019, www.collegeraptor.com/getting-in/articles/college-admissions/why-test-

scores-matter-in-college-admissions/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2020.

Watanabe, Teresa. “Grades vs. SAT Scores: Which Is a Better Predictor of College Success?”

Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2019,

www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-12-22/grades-vs-sat-scores-which-is-a-better-

predictor-of-college-success. Accessed 27 Mar. 2020.

“8 Things to Know About How Colleges Use Admission Tests.” College

Board,bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/testing/8-things-to-know-about-how-colleges-

use-admission-tests. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.