<p>Why do some people say that SAT and ACT are becoming scams and why don't some colleges accept those scores? </p>
<p>But the debate is that since more SAT and ACT prep books are offered, the score no longer determine how much you’ve learned in high school but really how good of a test taker you are. However, since most colleges accepts them, I suppose they do have it’s benevolence. </p>
<p>ACT and SAT can be helped by a prep book but so can any class you take in school. It’s not how good of a test taker you are it’s how much you have learned and retained. Gpa is useless. Very few quality schools are test optional for a reason. </p>
<p>SAT scores are incredibly important to advance into your collegiate dreams. They can make or break you. Granted, I personally do not agree with the amount of value we place on these scores, but at the given moment, the universities highly regard them. </p>
<p>Ohh. But don’t many colleges seek out GPAs as well? </p>
<p>What’s the difference between the ACT and SAT? </p>
<p>pandalove123, colleges do look at GPAs but there are many instances where they look more into SAT scores. A friend of mine got into Harvard but his GPA was merely average, his ECs where far and few, but what got him the spot was his high SAT scores. </p>
<p>Concerning the difference between ACT and SAT, ACT is more about what you have learned throughout your education, whereas SAT is based more on your aptitude (i.e. Reasoning and etc). </p>
<p>Does the SAT rank how intelligent you are though? </p>
<p>GPA and the rigor of courses are scrutinized heavily at many schools. </p>
<p>Standardized testing is important, for sure. </p>
<p>But it’s a measure of one day’s testing. GPA combined with course rigor is very strong indication of a student’s work ethic and ability to do well.</p>
<p>I believe there was a study published that showed that GPA was showing to be a better indicator of college performance than testing scores. </p>
<p>Of course, in a perfect world, both parts are very strong.</p>
<p>But as holistic admissions becomes stronger, and the evidence shows which is a better benchmark, I think some of the stress on testing is abating.</p>
<p>On CC, in my opinion, the importance of testing is vastly overrated. My child tests very well, so it’s not coming from an “I wish” standpoint. The reality is there is a reason for backlash about testing. </p>
<p>This is a very brief summary of a study based on 80,000 students: </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.morethanatestscore.com/2007/06/20/college-success-much-more-than-a-test-score/”>http://www.morethanatestscore.com/2007/06/20/college-success-much-more-than-a-test-score/</a></p>
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<p>Every top 200-ish college I am aware of accepts SAT and ACT. And almost every other college. At some colleges they are OPTIONAL. So you don’t have to provide them at those schools, they are willing to take all of your other qualifications into account and not have that information. But most schools do require one or the other.</p>
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<p>I think every college wants a transcript and GPA. Colleges are trying to look at the full picture, as much info as they can on you to figure out whether you would fit in and succeed there.</p>
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<p>I wouldn’t discount it. If your GPA is over about 3.7 unweighted, most top schools will keep considering you IF your test scores are strong. My kid had a 3.7 (not terrific by CC standards), no hook, and a 2380 SAT (and subject tests 800 Math II and 800 Lit). She got into some top colleges (eg, U of Chicago and Swarthmore). Without the test scores, I doubt she would have been accepted.</p>
<p>So I don’t think “scam” is the proper word. IMHO, the College Board (who runs the SAT) has too much power in college admissions and takes too much of our money (SAT I, Subject Tests, score choice, AP tests, and CSS Profile – I figure we paid them about $500 during D2’s junior/senior years). So that part is frustrating. But the tests themselves are not a “scam”. They are pretty important in the college admissions process, so take them seriously, study, and do your best.</p>
<p>I never said to discount test scores, only that on CC, they are overrated. </p>
<p>For clarity’s sake. </p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Either way, GPA, ACT, SAT, and extracurricular activities are the main categories that colleges focus on? </p>
<p>If it’s a scam it’s a pretty damn successful one. Maybe certain prep companies are, but the test itself? Nah, that’s silly.</p>
<p>Prep companies?</p>
<p>Test prep companies.</p>
<p>They are helpful though haha.</p>
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I absolutely don’t believe this sentence. Anyone who has read in depth on this site knows that this is not a true statement. To get into Harvard (as a non Athlete, for which they make any kind of exception within bare reason), you need the GPA, the ECs AND the high SAT. One out of three only? Reject pile. Doubt that they even read the essay.</p>
<p>They are a scam. The tests are run by private companies which managed to secure what only recently even became an oligopoly on a standard for admissions to college. While they claim to be a public service, they are still companies which make profit and therefore will work to maximize profit. The tests are diliberately designed in such a way as to encourage behaviors in students which generates revenue for the companies. The questions aren’t directly applicable to knowledge and skills acquired in school both because of the way that they are structured and the time limit imposed on answering them. The only way you can be prepared for the SAT/ACT is if you take classes or buy study books from the college board (or a separate company that most likely pays the college board in some way for access to materials) or if you took the test before. (which, hint hint: costs money!) The actual conditions of the test are overly (and possibly diliberately) stressful. You sign up for a day months in advance and hope that sickness, weather, etc won’t happen to get in the way. The test is early in the morning and often at an unfamiliar location. The test is 4 hours long and provides only a few short breaks which are inadequate to make use of fully. The sections are tightly timed so that any lapses for any reason has the risk to make you not finish a section. Because the sections are so tightly timed, you do not actually answer questions based on any kind of logical reasoning, instead, you simply pick the answer that your tutor or the test prep book told you would always be the right answer. From start to finish you are treated like an inmate in a prison rather than a high school student. The list goes on. </p>
<p>And after you pay them and the test prep industry that feeds off of them, if you don’t like your scores you are free to pay them to do it all again. This system is beyond corrupt. This is far from anecdotal evidence. There have been studies done which have found a rather direct correlation between household income and SAT scores. Somehow I doubt that rich babies are born smarter than poor ones. </p>
<p>Why do colleges use SAT/ACT test scores then?</p>
<p>@Darthelmet how bad was your SAT score? Also, the correlation between SAT scores and income is very easily explained. Smart people make lots of money and smart people have smart kids. Certainly being born rich doesn’t <em>cause</em> someone to be smart, but being smart can make someone rich. </p>