While college seems very far away for a good portion of students at MHS, most, if not all of them should be preparing for the next steps to their future. With college, the responsibility of building the perfect application comes into play. Each student will need to appeal to the college they want to apply to, and SAT and ACT scores are notably the most important parts that one has to offer to each college.
In Indiana, the SAT is the test that most colleges will pay attention to. Without an SAT score, almost every single college will refuse to take a college application from a student, as they require students who have taken the SAT. With this in mind, each student only has to technically take the test once, yet it doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. Taking the SAT does not count against you in any form; instead, it will benefit every student a tremendous amount. With each time that the SAT is retaken, the student’s score is shown to increase, even in the smallest degree. It is commonly assumed that if one has a high score after their first try on the SAT, that they are simply done with their duties and have no need to take the test a second time. This is not the case, as there is always room for improvement.
With that being said, many individuals are often confused on what is considered a genuinely ‘excellent’ SAT score. The lowest possible score on the SAT is a 600, and the highest score is 2400. Any score lower than 1500 isn’t very great, with 1500 being the average SAT score. A score closer to 1800 is considered to be an excellent score, and any score above 2000 and closer to 2400 is outstanding. More prestigious colleges tend to require higher SAT scores, yet if an individual’s score does not meet the range given by a college, they should not be discouraged. If a score is lower, students still have the potential to be accepted into any college, but the higher their score, the greater their chances. The score achieved on the SAT is a composite score of the reading, writing, and math sections that the SAT contains. With the details of the SAT explained, there still lies the ACT.
A majority of students choose not to take the ACT, which is similar in form to the SAT, yet it can be very beneficial. It is not required by most colleges, but it can aid in giving students a better chance. The ACT can also be used to obtain scholarships if one’s score is high enough. There are few differences between the ACT and SAT, in that the scoring and inclusion of a science section are the most monumental changes. The highest score on the ACT is a 36 and lowest score is 1. Scores less than 16 are considered less than average, with a score greater than 24 being excellent and a score of 20 being the average. In order to obtain and be eligible for scholarships via ACT scores, one must often obtain at least a score of 32.
While the ACT is not required, both it and the SAT are crucial and principal factors in the future as far as college is concerned. In both instances, the higher the score, the more equitable the chances of getting accepted. Retaking tests will almost always result in a more pleasant outcome, and it is critical for any single student to push the limits to achieve the best possible scores and place themselves on the list of accepted students.