To both IB and non-IB students, it is about that time of the year when standardized testing has reached it’s peak. At this point, the majority of seniors have finished their college applications and juniors are starting to get the hang of the entire needing to complete standardized testing dilemma. This gives rise to the questions: What is standardized testing? Why do we have to do them? And how do we do them? In this blog, I will be speaking on the SAT and ACT, as these are the most well recognized forms of standardized testing.
First off, what is standardized testing? A standardized test is a test that is given to students in order to determine their level of knowledge. The difference between a normal test and a standardized test is that a standardized test has the same types of questions and answers in each round of testing. This is to make sure that students that tested in one round of testing do not have an advantage over students that tested in another round. In the case of the ACT and the SAT, one test is not better than the other, one test does not carry more credibility than the other. Both carry equal weight in the eyes of higher education institutions.
In the case of the SAT and the ACT, these two standardized tests contribute to the college application process. In order for students to be fairly admitted into a higher institution, these students must all be given an equal chance when it comes to testing, hence these tests being standardized. In the cases of the SAT and the ACT, in order to be admitted into a college or university you must pass a threshold, after your scores pass this threshold other aspects of our application will be taken into account, such as your activity section and your personal essays. For example, if one student received a 1320 on the SAT and another received a 1340, but the student who received the 1320 seems more dedicated to their activities, they will receive priority when it comes to admissions. The same goes for the ACT.
In order to complete the SAT and the ACT, students need to sign up for them. In some cases, schools may have programs that allow students to test. Otherwise, student may have to register for the test by themselves. To register for the SAT student must go to the College Board website. After logging into their account, students must click on the “My SAT” selection on the blue section of the cover page. After doing so, you will be redirected to a page stating, “SAT Registration”. From here, go ahead and fill out the registration form. For the ACT a student must go to the ACT website and click “Register for the ACT” on the cover page. After doing so you must make an account with the ACT organization. After which you will be redirected to a page that states, “Register for the ACT”. Below I will attach links for SAT and ACT testing dates. To register for the SAT and the ACT you must pay a fee of $55 for the ACT without the writing section and $70 with the writing section. You must pay $52 for the SAT without the writing section and $68 for the version with the writing section. If you cannot afford taking the SAT or the ACT, each exam offers fee waivers that exempt student in low-income backgrounds from paying the fee.
In the end, it's always important to remember that your test score does not define you as a student. Other aspects of your application can have much more worth than your standardized test scores, such as your essays. All that matters is that you are happy with your score.
Links To Test Dates:
ACT - http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
SAT - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines