The purpose of standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT is to assess students' general educational development and preparedness for college-level coursework. Because these are national tests, colleges are able to compare scores from students around the country. These comparisons give colleges a better idea of what an applicant's grade point average (GPA) means in comparison to how their peers are doing locally and nationally.
Southwest's school code number to use when registering for testing is 241680.
Most 4-year colleges and universities required students to take and submit scores from one of the standardized tests (ACT or SAT). Some 4-year colleges and universities also recommended that students take one or more of the SAT II subject tests. There are always exceptions, however, so we encourage you to research the standardized testing admission requirements for the colleges you are interested in.
For the graduating class of 2021, almost all colleges and universities adopted a test optional admissions policy due to the interruptions to testing as a result of the pandemic. Some of those colleges have announced a permanent change and will remain test optional, while others have only committed to a temporary test optional admissions process. For the graduating class of 2022, many colleges and universities are continuing with a test optional admissions practices, but we again encourage you to research the standardized testing admission requirements for the colleges you are interested in.
Fairtest.org provides a list of schools that do not require standardized test scores for admission (i.e. Test Optional or Test Flexible schools). (Hover over the College Admissions tab and click on Optional List.)
No college or university prefers one test over the other (i.e. the ACT or the SAT), as either test is equally acceptable at every college and university in the country.
Typically, 2-year community and technical colleges do not require these assessments as part of their admission criteria, but they may administer a placement test (e.g. the Accuplacer) to determine appropriate class placement.