CC Bootcamp: The Importance of Standardized Tests - Live Session w/ The Princeton Review on Aug 21 at 7pm ET

Resources 2024 CC Bootcamp for Incoming Seniors
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Join us for the second session of the CC Bootcamp line-up on Wed, Aug 21 at 7pm ET and learn more about the importance of standardized tests in the college admissions process. This session is hosted by our partner @Tony_PrincetonReview.

Session Outline:

  • Overview of Different Standardized Testing Policies
  • Some Case Studies on Test-Optional Admissions
  • Why Have Schools Gone Test-Optional?
  • Should I Send My Scores or Not?
  • Taking/Retaking Soon? Some Advice for Juniors & Seniors

About The Princeton Review

For more than 40 years, students and their families have trusted The Princeton Review to help them get into their dream schools. Our mission is to provide personalized, innovative, best-in-class private tutoring, test prep, and admission products and services to help millions of students knock down barriers and achieve their academic goals. We are solely on the side of the students—we are not affiliated with any of the test developers.

You can learn more about us from our website, or sign up for free SAT/ACT mock tests and events on test prep and admissions here.

About Tony Jin (a.k.a. @Tony_PrincetonReview)

Tony Jin is the Online Community Specialist at The Princeton Review. With years of experience in test prep and college admissions, he’s worked with nervous high school juniors and seniors, elementary school students in under-resourced school districts, and international/ESL students in US high schools. Now, he offers test prep and admissions advice to high school students and parents in online communities such as College Confidential, Reddit, and Facebook!

Have any general questions about standardized tests? Are you curious on how to ace the tests or up your score on retake? Make sure to ask them below.

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Thank you all for attending the second session of our CC Bootcamp for Incoming HS Seniors ! We’ll go live shortly and I’m excited to welcome @Tony_PrincetonReview from The Princeton Review who is going to talk about the importance of standardized tests in your college application.

@CCBootcamp_Aug2024, do you have any general questions about standardized tests? Are you curious on how to ace the tests or up your score on retake? Make sure to ask them below.

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Hi everyone!

My name is Tony, and I’m so excited to share with you our helpful advice and insight into SAT/ACT and, of course, answer some of your questions!

Today we’ll begin by discussing different standardized testing policies, the reasons behind these different policies, and, finally, what you should consider when deciding whether you should submit a score or not!

I’ll end with a few helpful tips on preparing for SAT/ACT as well.

At the Princeton Review, student success is at the heart of what we do. We’re dedicated to helping you get to the school of your dreams!

Please check out our website here! You can also sign up for a free SAT mock test, free ACT mock test, or free webinars where you can learn more about test prep, college admissions, and strategies!

Now let’s get to it!

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Overview of Different Standardized Testing Policies

First thing to understand is that the term “test optional” ONLY refers to admission policies. Exceptions can include admission to select schools within the university, or participation in ROTC, athletics, and merit aid.

“Test optional” means that a college or university will not require an ACT or SAT test score when considering your application to matriculate .

However, if you intend to apply to even just ONE school that requires the ACT or SAT, your entire college application process is no longer “test optional.”

There are four major types of admission policies that we’re seeing at the nearly 3,000 degree-granting four-year institutions in the United States:

  • test required (Purdue, MIT, GA and FL public schools, Dartmouth, Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Texas, etc.)

  • test free/test blind (UC, CSU, Boise State, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Reed College, Pitzer College, etc.)

  • test flexible (NYU, Yale, etc.),

  • test optional (Bowdoin, Brandeis, SUNY, UMichigan, IL/CO public schools, etc.)

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Some Examples on Test-Optional Admissions

Example 1: State University of New Jersey system – Rutgers.

Rutgers comprises three campuses: Newark, Camden, and its flagship at New Brunswick.

Admission to New Brunswick is currently test-optional through Fall of 2025. However, admission at Newark is test-free.

For the Rutgers-Newark pre-medical program, an ACT or SAT is required.

Camden, too, requires a test score if the applicant is seeking admission in the BS/DO program.

Example 2: Harvard University

In June of 2020, Harvard became temporarily test-optional. This was extended through the fall of 2026. But in April of 2024, Harvard changed its mind and reverted to test-required policies, putting the high school Class of 2025 in an odd position: at first, they didn’t need to submit scores with their applications. Now they do.

Think about that: an entire high school graduating class entered its junior year thinking that admission to Harvard was test-optional, but then found out in the spring of junior year that it suddenly was test-required.

The point is this:

There have been many, often abrupt changes, in testing policies since 2022. For all students, and especially rising juniors, I recommend that you take an SAT or ACT, or both if you like, to prepare yourself for any possible changes, maximize your application possibilities, and provide an extra edge in the application process.

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Why Have Schools Gone Test-Optional?

It may seem obvious that the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many schools to become test-optional, but it’s important to remember, too, that colleges were already choosing to go test optional prior to the pandemic.

So why are some schools test-required and some test-optional?

Harvard, when it changed its testing policy from optional to required in April 2024, said that the optional policy had prevented them from recruiting some great applicants. Standardized test scores, they found, provide “the fairest admissions policy for disadvantaged applicants.”

“The ACT and the SAT are highly coachable,” Harvard concurs. A representative found that “not everyone can hire an expensive college coach to help them craft a personal essay, but everyone has the chance to ace the SAT or the ACT.”

Does this mean it’s better for a college or university to adopt required testing policies to promote fairness and equity?

At the University of Michigan, for example, they too sought representation from across the socioeconomic spectrum. Yet, the University of Michigan announced a permanent change to test-optional admissions, citing that this policy will “demonstrate focus on providing access to high-achieving students from all backgrounds.”

The answer is that universities are unique. These institutions all have access to their own pile of admissions data over the last four years, and they are now beginning to formulate specific recommendations about how to attract and recruit talent.

Now, they have determined through their own data that these policies favorably affect their applicant pools, which allows them to be more selective. (For the University of Michigan, over the last five years, total applicants rose from 65,000 applicants for Fall 2019 to 98,000 applicants for Fall 2024 semester.)

For students, however, please note: just because the college doesn’t require a test score doesn’t mean that they don’t want to see a score.

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Should I Send My Scores or Not?

First things first, the Princeton Review has a college search tool that can help you tremendously in making score sending and college list decisions! Check it out!

When you’re researching your schools, take a look at their current stats. We’re considering numbers based on the common data set for the 2023-2024 school year. It’s also important to note that these are data from the students who were enrolled, not just admitted. If you rise above that 75th percentile score of freshmen who enrolled in the last admissions cycle– then why hesitate? Let the school know that you fit in the profile, so far as standardized tests go.

So let’s discuss the 50th percentile rule. Very generally, if you’re at or above the 50th percentile score of incoming freshmen at that particular school, you should consider submitting your test scores. The caveat is this: colleges will also evaluate your test scores against your high school’s historic performance on the exams.

If you’re applying to a very selective school and you’re just at that 50th percentile score, but your scores are a little more on the modest side when measured against your peers with the same educational background, then it might actually NOT help to submit in this circumstance. However, if you’re below the 50th percentile score, but your ACT or SAT scores far exceed the scores of those who have similar educational backgrounds, then it might HELP to submit.

That’s why you need to make these kind of decisions on a case-by-case basis, with the help of trusted, knowledgeable advisors, such as your high school counselor!

But could a “bad” test score impact your application negatively?

One instance is UChicago’s ‘No Harm’ policy for application review when considering SAT or ACT scores. Any SAT or ACT score submitted will only be used in review if it will positively affect an applicant’s chance of admission.” The University of Iowa told us the same thing. And, for another instance, The University of Southern’s admissions website indicates that “applicants will not be penalized or put at a disadvantage if they choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores.”

Again: admissions officers want reasons to accept students, not deny them.

Finally, I want to give you my vote of confidence

These tests are coachable. Duke and Harvard both say so. The College Board says so, which is why it offers practice for its own test in the Bluebook App. Ultimately, the ACT and the SAT test how well you take the ACT and SAT. These tests are standardized, coachable, and beatable.

Sometimes we think of the ACT and the SAT as obstacles to our dream colleges when we should be thinking about them as tools to get there. Particularly now, in this era of test-optional admissions, when schools are emphasizing that your test scores are only one element of a holistic process, we should think of them as an opportunity. Research each school’s individual policy – and research the college profiles on our website.

Remember that policies can change, so follow the news, follow the schools on your list, and follow us, we’re here to help!

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Tony - When are the new ACT changes going to be implemented and when will practice tests be available for the new format.

Thank you!

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Taking/Retaking Soon? Some Advices for Juniors & Seniors

  • If you’re just beginning to think about ACT/SAT, the first thing to do is to take a practice test for both. The Princeton Review offers free practice tests here. See how much you can score, but more importantly, see how you like these tests. ACT is generally faster paced and longer (remember that there are changes coming next May though
), while the new SAT is shorter and slower. Or, you might want to try taking both!
  • Register early! Seats tend to become unavailable weeks, if not months, before the test date. Once you have a general idea of when you’d want to take the test, register as soon as possible. If seats are already out for the exam date you want, check back again frequently. Seats may become available, or students may cancel their registration! You never know!
  • For best test day performance, take it easy. Relax! You got this! Don’t stay up partying the night before, and don’t stay up cramming all night either! Get a good night’s sleep, and PACK YOUR BAG THE NIGHT BEFORE! Charge your device!
  • Strategize! If you’ve taken the SAT/ACT already, you want to really strategize in preparing for your retake. Are you going to take advantage of superscore? Which section/question type should you focus on? Was timing an issue for you? You’re gonna want to strategize your approach as we all have different strengths and weaknesses!
  • Know the why! Don’t just go through questions mechanically in large quantities. Just because you guessed right or kind of understand why doesn’t mean you really understand. And guess what, you’ll second think in the actual test! Making sure you really, really understand during practice can help eliminate second-thinking your answers in the test!
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@Tony_PrincetonReview, can you also explain a bit what are the big changes to the ACT and how are those affecting test takers?

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Again, we’re here to help! Please check out our website here! You can also sign up for a free SAT mock test, free ACT mock test, or free webinars where you can learn more about test prep, college admissions, and strategies!

I see questions coming in already
 And I’m ready to start answering your questions!

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@CCBootcamp_Aug2024, we are now moving on to the Q&A part of the session, so make sure to ask your questions below!

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@momofboiler1

That’s a wonderful question!

ACT announced about a month ago that changes are coming in spring 2025.

We know that:

  1. Science has become optional, just like writing has been!
  2. The test will be about one-third shorter. The test will include shorter passages on the reading and English sections and fewer questions in each section, allowing students more time to answer each question thoughtfully.

That’s really all we know so far, and, unfortunately, we’ll have to wait to see if more information will be coming. The Princeton Review team is also working very hard on figuring out how to help students with the new ACT version.

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@CC_Sorin

It appears that making science optional and giving students more time will make the new ACT a bit more similar to the new Digital SAT!

While ACT has announced that the passages will be shorter, we don’t see hints at major changes to the questions. So for now, we could probably assume that the current ACT questions can still help us practice the new ACT.

But again, it is really too early to tell.

For most test takers, however, this should be great news! Who doesn’t like a shorter test and more time!?

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@Tony_PrincetonReview, when creating their application calendar, what’s the ideal time in your experience for HS students to take these tests?

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Thank you!

Would you recommend that juniors who may have been inclined to test in the spring, perhaps reconsider and test this Fall when there will be more materials and content available for preparation/coaching?

And also - how many times do you recommend students test?

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@Tony_PrincetonReview, which test do you recommend students take, the ACT or the SAT? Which is better? Is one viewed more favorable by the schools? Also, is there such a thing as one test being harder than the other?

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@CC_Sorin
That’s a wonderful question!

We have to acknowledge that all students are different. You’ll also want to consider any major events, AP exams, traveling plans, sports, etc. when making this decision.

The first thing to consider is that students should have taken/be taking PreCalculus at the time of taking the standardized tests. And this is generally true: usually, the later the student chooses to take the exam, the better their reading skills and math skills. That’s what more school will do!

However, we still highly encourage you to start early. For juniors, now is a great time. The more you wait, the more things you’ll realize you’d have to balance: APs, senior year, school list, essays


So it’s really up to the student, but it could be a good idea to try junior year summer and fall for the first time, and maybe take it again in the spring. You can give it one last go in senior year summer and fall!

You can start as simply as taking a practice test!
And make sure to register early!

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Tony - Do you anticipate more testing sites opening back up as more schools move back to test required?

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@momofboiler1

In terms of amount of time
 In the good ol’ days when colleges would see how many times you’ve taken the test, the answer was 2-3.

But that is no longer true! Now, it’s really how many times you feel comfortable with!

In terms of prep materials, I would assume that they would become available by the time that the first batch of new ACT takers need to start the preparation process for it! You may also want to think about timeline. Junior year fall is good timing. Junior year spring works! Senior year fall may be a bit late without a lot of backups


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