Old SAT scores compared to redesigned SAT scores.

Steglitz90
Thu, 06 Apr 2017 15:47:26 +0000

In this debate/speculation about which test the “elite” students took this past year, I can only share what the guidance counselors at my son’s elite prep school told us. (1) take the test that fits you best (based on PLAN/PSAT or taking each one once); (2) if you want to see the biggest “jump” in scores, it’s easier to do this on the ACT, due to the ability to prep for it more & also take it over & over & over again to superscore.

My son is a bit of a black sheep and/or contrarian, because he decided on the new SAT (he did better on it than ACT) & the ACT really turned him off (too rushed, too many questions, it stressed him out). He also decided to only take the NSAT 2x…once in March & then again in the fall of senior. The second time, his scores went up (60 pts) & he just decided that he was done & that he wasn’t going to waste anymore time/brainpower/stress on it. So, his submitted SAT is NOT superscored (690m/700v). Meanwhile, he had friends taking the ACT every month, strategically focusing on improving certain sections to get a Superscore that really seems contrived to me.

In the end, I do think having a “borderline good” score of 1390 did affect his outcomes in college admissions, to the good & the bad. While the NSAT did not affect his admissions into safety schools, I feel it did result in unpredictable & unexpected results in his match & reach schools. It yielded him a hefty merit scholarship at one match school (U of Miami) which was nice surprise, but also probably contributed to 5 WLs (Wake, BC, NE, Colby & Villanova). I would have thought a 1390 at BC & NE would be low & earn a rejection (but he got WL), while with 1390 he should have been a shoo-in at Nova. (I realize there are tons of other factors, including Nova’s bb success leading to an 20% increase in apps, but he has a 4.1 GPA & tons of ECs, captain of a varsity sport, student govt – just like almost everyone else out there applying). He did not get into any of his “high reach” schools – but DID get transfer options from USC & a Guaranteed Transfer Option from Cornell… In other words, the results are a bit all over the place. I would never have expected him to have the opportunity to attend Cornell (as a soph), but not Villanova…