The Great Debate: How much do standardized test scores really matter?

Applying to College
1

I’ve always gotten the impression that standardized test scores are pretty important. However, I’ve also read very reputable sources that say that scores just have to exceed a threshold, and don’t matter very much for the close calls.

The attitude on the CollegeConfidential.com message boards seems to be that they matter a lot (to the people that didn’t do well on them) or barely all (to those who did).

This is coming from a guy with a 1570 (780 m, 790 v) and 800’s on the Math IIC, Physics, and Writing SAT II’s. I’m ranked 20/497 in my high school class, and have decent EC’s, but nothing I’m particularly devoted to or anything outstanding. I tend to be paranoid and am afraid that the best schools will reject me as simply a good test taker.

So, what do you think? How important are standardized test scores?

2

<p>When i visited Carnegie Mellon, the speaker at the information session said something like...
"We get tons of very qualified applicants for CMU, probably about 75% of those that apply would be able to handle and do well in CMU, but what separates that 75% into the % that we accept is the EC's and work outside the test scores."
...it was pretty close to something like that, so i would say for some schools they are probably nothing more than a cut-off point, even though schools say there are no cut-off points</p>

3

<p>Yeah, I have heard pretty much the same thing. They are looking for people that can handle a lot of commitments at once (classes and ECs) not someone who can write a couple tests well over their entire high school career.</p>

4

<p>It really depends on the school. Most mid-level public schools would weigh standardized tests and GPA much more heavily than, say, an Ivy.</p>

5

<p>They are imp for scholarships however as most schools have set cut offs.</p>

6

<p>Essentially, large state schools are more numbers driven than smaller privates.</p>

7

<p>Not neccesarily, this year my D got free tuition plus 1,500 towards room and board at ASU our state school and at Trinity University she only recieved 6,000 out of a possible 12,000. In this case the larger university looked more at her great resume then strictly numbers</p>

8

<p>I would say that once you're over the 1400 mark it is pretty much all the same. However, I think it could hurt you to be below this mark. However, it will only hurt you, not kill you; you can still definitely get in anywhere as long as your EC's, etc. are really good.</p>

9

<p>Reasonable test scores and GPA are requisite if you want the college to even consider your ECs, essays, recs, etc. Unless you're a football star, presidential scholar, or the Dean's nephew, test scores matter a LOT (especially SAT IIs). SAT I, maybe not so much--there's a lot of debate as to whether or not that measurement is an accurate forecaster of your college performance. But APs and SAT IIs are definitely very important, no matter where you apply.</p>

10

<p>I would think that test scores aren't that important, but it may be the first thing the Adcom sees. They say scores are not supposed to carry as much weight as total grades, etc., but when a person glances at a single number verses a whole bunch of numbers on a transcript, the single test score is going to stand out. Okay, let's just say high test scores definitely won't hurt you. </p>

<p>Also, I think with more and more schools getting rid of rank, it becomes more pressing for colleges to find some kind of standarized way to compare its applicants, and thus, they would probably turn to the SAT I more. </p>

<p>But then again, that's just my opinion.</p>

11

<p>We will never know</p>

12

<p>If you read "A is for Admissions" the SAT I/IIs are worth twice as much as your GPA (at least for schools that use the academic index).</p>

13

<p>You got a 1570 and only rank 20 out of 497 ! What high school is this? Are you in Andover/Exceter ?</p>