I’ve never gotten above a 3 on any AP test… I study so hard and so in advance, do so well in class, and I even leave the testing center feeling so confident that I got a 5. It makes me so upset that I put so much hope into one test and never succeed the way I want to.
The same happened with the SAT in December. I started studying and taking practice tests in AUGUST-at least a little bit everyday, for hours on the weekend, and yet I never got even remotely close to my goal of a 2000+. I got an 1820. 620 on USH SAT II. Also, I’m still waiting on my Spanish SAT II but at this rate I wouldn’t be surprised with a low 600 as well.
I can’t afford prep classes/don’t want to waste my time with them in case I blow that up too. And I officially have no more opportunities to retake any test except in December because I have marching band every weekend.
It’s ridiculous how much I’ve been let down by testing. I’m applying through Questbridge and they’re obligating me to report every single test score, even though I’ll be taking advantage of score choice and Wesleyan’s test-optional plan. I’m worried I won’t be chosen as a finalist to even participate in the National College Match because of my scores.
I’m just kind of mad at the system right now, even though the problem is probably me because everyone else on here seems to do extremely well on everything.
just wanted to vent and also probably seek some comfort because this is really stressing me out.
AHHHHH
Have you tried the ACT? Some kids do better on one vs the other. Some people just dont test well and it completely sucks when so much can ride on a test score. I’m sorry this is stressing you out.
Also our marching band will let you out of rehearsal to take tests. Are you saying they wont let you out? Or that you are choosing not to miss?
Here’s some advice: don’t compare yourself to anyone, especially the test machines on CC.
Worry about yourself and doing the best you can.
Tests are not everything. They’re just a piece of the big puzzle. Focus on improving other aspects of your college application like GPA, ECs, essays, etc. You can get far in life without perfect scores.
@flatKansas I have taken the ACT and I got a 29, which I’m actually pretty happy with. But everything else is worrying me, especially since Questbridge wants me to submit everything.
Also, I’m going to be drum major this season and my band director is super strict about missing practice for anything like that, let alone if the drum major misses.
Don’t feel bad about yourself! That’s only a small part of your application. Even though schools do take it into account, you have other things going for you. Comparison is only a killer of joy. Keep on focusing on your passions and it’ll show.
Get over it. A lot of schools now are test-optional.
Test scores are not indicative of college success. My oldest daughter’s highest ACT score was a 25. She is thriving in her major Cellular & Molecular biology. She’s a research fellow and is now applying to PhD programs. Work hard and you’ll succeed where ever you land. Good luck to you!
Breathe in. Breathe out. The system of getting into college is horrific, but the ACT/SAT are necessary tools because of severe grade inflation at many public and private schools. That being said, most colleges are going to notice that you are the drum major, which is a leadership position that is far more indicative of hard work than being president of a school club (the best line on my long-faded college app).
What matters is that your scores will get you into a lot of different universities. In fact, once you reach the professional world, nobody gives a hoot about your ACT/SAT Scores (or even the college you attended). They want to know that you GOT the degree, and then they want to know what you have DONE since then to prove you’re a worker they want in their establishment. Also, if you go to Graduate School, that degree’s more important than your bachelor’s.
My best friend from HS is now a science professor at a state university. He did his undergrad and Master’s work at an inexpensive state school, then worked in the auto industry for a decade. After that he got his Doctorate in Engineering from a little school called Vanderbilt… and that’s the diploma on the wall in his school office!
Finally, a song recommendation for you. It has become a mantra of mine through a very stressful part of my life. It’s by Jimmy Buffett… and it’s called “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On”. He wrote it for Hurricane Katrina survivors, but its message resonates that life’s not always going to go our way… but we keep going forward because it’s the right thing to do.
Good luck with your band. I hope by now your show’s coming together well… and the percussion is behaving during rehearsals!
If you wind up in the regular decision applicant pool, your fall grades will be very important. Don’t let testing
concerns interfere with your grades. People forget that. I think you are doing well. I know a Questbridge applicant who would love your ACT score - and she’s a fabulous student who will do good work in college. It would be easier if she had a higher score to get a scholarship - that’s probably where a lot of the anxiety comes in. Someone will take a chance on her, though.