Schools across the country are gearing up for standardized test season—often a source of controversy and frustration for both students and parents. Hilary Scharton is Vice President of Canvas K-12 Product Strategy, an innovative testing software now being adopted in school districts throughout the country. She offers her insight on how standardized testing is being used in admission today, the rise of test-optional schools, and whether students and parents should be worried about their scores.
Test scores and college admission
Q: How are standardized test scores being used in college admission today?
A: They’re being used less. More often, colleges are giving students a “test-optional" admission process, where they weight transcripts and applications more heavily or allow other evidence like AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) classes in place of ACT or SAT scores.
Related: Is the SAT/ACT Worth It With New Test-Optional Policies?
Testing and college readiness
Q: Do standardized tests accurately measure a student's intelligence or college readiness?
A: Scoring well on the SAT has almost no correlation with success in college. The best predictor of college readiness and success is actually high school grades.
Standardized test worries
Q: Should students (and their parents) worry about standardized test scores?
A: Only under a very narrow set of circumstances. If your child’s achievement is typical—they’re mostly on grade level and developing as expected—don’t worry about test scores. Most of the higher-stakes tests students take at school are primarily intended to give schools data about student performance as a group.
Related: How to Conquer Your Test Anxiety
Technology and student success
Q: How is technology changing the way student success is measured?
A: The biggest changes have been in the speed and amount of assessment. Computerized delivery and automatic scoring have lowered the bar enough that testing is much more effortless to administrate. It should, however, change the ways students are able to show mastery. Instead of multiple-guess questions, students can use software to create instead of consume, which prepares them for college and a career much better than simple regurgitation of facts.
Test-optional schools
Q: How are test-optional admission policies affecting how students are preparing for college?
A: Students can’t necessarily rely on a college weighing test scores heavily, so there should be a greater focus on consistent high performance and planning in high school in several areas:
- Grades: They need to be kept up for several years.
- AP and IB classes: Take as many as possible.
- Better extracurriculars: Dedication to a few will help students stand out (it’s about quality, not quantity).
Related: What Do Admission Counselors Look for in College Applications?
Students also need to personalize their college applications more and write higher-quality essays to make their commitment to a college’s core values more transparent. And remember that a four-year college or university isn’t the right path for every student; be open to learning experiences like community college, technical or vocational programs, apprenticeships, boot camps, and other opportunities as well.
Learn more about the SAT, ACT, test-optional schools, and more in our Test Prep section.
