Colleges look at your high school transcript when you apply for admission, but they also look at your standardized test scores. 

The most common (and the one you're more familiar with) standardized test is the ACT test. You can also take a test called the Accuplacer for placement at most community colleges. More on this later. 

Typically, there is a minimum requirement for admissions - for example, UACCM has a minimum requirement of an ACT Composite score of 15  or an ACCUPLACER Next Generation Reading score of 230. 

Check the admission requirements for any college you want to apply to. You may need to improve your score.

Test scores are also used to determine scholarship offers. While they are not the only criteria considered, they are a HUGE part of that decision, and a couple of extra points on an ACT test can mean more dollars in scholarship offers, and who wouldn't want that!  :)