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Why College Entrance Exams Still Matter
Why College Entrance Exams Still Matter
Students and parents should not underestimate the value of college entrance exams. Tests such as the SAT, ACT, and CLT continue to play a significant role in college admissions and, more importantly, in the awarding of merit-based scholarships. While many colleges now offer test-optional admissions policies, strong test scores can still make a substantial difference when it comes to institutional aid, competitive scholarships, and national recognition programs.
Additionally, the ASVAB, offered annually to students in grades 10 - 12, is a powerful career aptitude tool. Far from just a military entrance exam, it helps identify natural strengths, highlights areas for academic improvement, and unlocks civilian career pathways that best fit a student's unique skills.
March2Success: Free SAT, ACT, & ASVAB Test Prep
March2Success is a completely free online resource provided by the U.S. Army. It is a self-paced academic readiness program designed to help students improve their performance on standardized tests with no obligation to join the military.
Key Features
Standardized Test Prep: Practice materials for the SAT, ACT, and ASVAB (military entrance exam).
Customized Learning: Includes initial diagnostic pre-assessments to create personalized study paths based on individual strengths and weaknesses.
Academic Support: Offers content in core subjects including Math, English, and Science for grades 8–12, as well as specialized prep for healthcare exams like the MCAT and DAT.
Accessibility: The platform is available 24/7 online and via mobile apps for students, parents, and educators.
How do I use March2Success to prepare for the ASVAB?
We recommend using the High School Math and Verbal Skills course to prepare for the ASVAB. The course includes customized lessons in Math and Verbal concepts like what is tested on the ASVAB. Each unit starts with a pre-assessment test and develops a customized learning path. The program includes interactive lessons and quizzes. There are also additional practice tests and a post-assessment in each subject.
Visit March2Success to learn more.
SAT Information and Test Prep Resources
SAT Information and Test Prep Resources
College Entrance Exam Prep
College Entrance Exam Prep
There are many good prep options, from free resources to paid courses. College Rover and Test Prep Insight offer helpful comparisons. My recommendation: Start with the free resources—especially Bluebook and Khan Academy—before investing in paid test prep. Consistent practice can make a big difference.
Free Resources — a great place to start:
Bluebook: Official SAT app with full-length, adaptive practice tests. College Board Bluebook
Khan Academy: Free, personalized SAT practice. Khan Academy
SAT Question Bank: Thousands of official SAT questions. SAT Suite Question Bank
Paid Options:
Kaplan and The Princeton Review: Comprehensive live and on-demand courses. Kaplan | The Princeton Review
Magoosh: Budget-friendly online prep. Magoosh
PrepScholar: Personalized, adaptive online prep. PrepScholar
Class 101 Windsor: A local option, run by an Ascent family, offering a comprehensive program for approximately $850. Class 101 Windsor
HOW TO ACCESS SAT SCORES:
Testing resources and test scores can be access through student individual College Board accounts. Please follow this link for more information.
Student must create an individual account using a personal email address. College board will automatically link student scores to the student account.
Test scores are released to students 2-4 weeks after the test date. Ascent will have access to scores and reports a week after scores are realsed to students.
CLT Information
CLT Information
CLT Exam
In the spring, we also administer the CLT, an online college entrance exam for 11th and 12th graders. The CLT is accepted at hundreds of colleges across the US, and over $100 million in scholarships are tied to CLT scores annually.
From the CLT website: The SAT and ACT are designed to reflect public school curricula, specifically the Common Core State Standards framework. The CLT is different.
Instead of evaluating how much students have crammed for the test, CLT considers students’ intellectual capacity and aptitude, making it a better fit for students from a variety of educational backgrounds. CLT also uses meaningful pieces of literature for its reading passages to offer a more enjoyable and enriching testing experience.
The CLT Exam also offers their own free test preparation, HERE.
ASVAB Information
ASVAB Information
Ascent hosts the ASVAB CEP test every spring. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) is a free, voluntary, multiple-aptitude test for 10th–12th graders and post-secondary students, designed to help identify strengths and explore career paths, including military and civilian options. It includes aptitude testing, interest assessments, and career planning tools, with no commitment to military service. Learn more HERE.
CLEP or AP exams
CLEP or AP exams
Register to take a CLEP exam and receive college credit at 2,900 colleges.
AP Exams: Your first step is to search the AP Course Ledger. The AP Course Ledger is the official, up-to-date, comprehensive list of schools that have passed the AP Course Audit.
SAT Preparation and Classical Education
SAT Preparation and Classical Education
Students from classical schools should be especially intentional about preparing for the SAT and ACT through practice exams and targeted test preparation.
Differences in Curriculum Alignment
Modern standardized exams increasingly emphasize analytical reading, data interpretation, and applied problem-solving. Classical education often focuses more heavily on logic, rhetoric, great books, and deep conceptual understanding. While this foundation is incredibly valuable, students may benefit from additional familiarity with the style and pacing of standardized tests.Testing Experience
Classical schools often prioritize discussion-based learning, mastery, and written expression over frequent multiple-choice testing. As a result, students may need extra practice developing test-taking strategies, time management skills, and familiarity with standardized exam formats.
With thoughtful preparation, classical school students are often exceptionally well-equipped to excel on entrance exams while also standing out for the depth and rigor of their education.
Why Entrance Exams Matter for Financial Aid
Why Entrance Exams Matter for Financial Aid
Students from classical schools should be especially intentional about preparing for the SAT and ACT through practice exams and targeted test preparation.
Automatic Merit Scholarships
Many colleges use scholarship grids that combine GPA and test scores to determine automatic merit awards. Even a small increase in a test score can translate into thousands of additional dollars in annual scholarship funding.National Merit Scholarship Program
The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which offers college-sponsored, corporate, and national scholarships to high-achieving students.Standardized Benchmarking
Because grading standards vary between schools, admissions offices often use test scores as a consistent academic benchmark when evaluating applicants.Competitive Scholarship Tiers
Higher scores frequently unlock higher levels of institutional aid. For example, improving an ACT score from a 28 to a 32 may significantly increase scholarship eligibility at many universities.
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