“Standardized tests like the ACT and SAT are more than an admissions formality – they can also lead to scholarships.” …
Yes, we all understand that standardized tests are not necessarily fair or representative of true ability, but until colleges stop offering real money for good scores, we will want our kids to prep for them.
Um, all these reasons were technically within the scope of college, not “beyond” it.
Some have claimed that some employers ask for SAT or ACT scores from college graduate job applicants. Apparently, what you did in high school is relevant to those employers even after you have completed a bachelor’s degree.
^ and even 20 years post graduation! (I’ve been asked for both SAT scores and GPA.)
@ucbalumnus : I heard those tend to be in some high strung careers like finance and used to be some tech jobs too (as if people cannot just learn that stuff in college), but major tech companies apparently stopped that and stopped giving their own exams. And as far as I know (and from experience), most STEM jobs don’t do that, so that is interesting.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/job-hunting-dig-up-those-old-sat-scores-1393374186 has mostly management consulting companies as examples of those who want SAT scores.
Asking for SAT scores is uncommon in the computer industry, though Google reputedly used to do so (not any more), according to http://time.com/10693/your-sat-scores-will-come-back-to-haunt-you/ .
@bernie12 Government jobs in STEM and law ask for GPA. So NIST, NASA, USPTO and other agencies hiring bachelors, masters, PhD and law degreed engineers. I had to produce my GPA at age 56 to get a government job a few years ago.
In wall street for some jobs, this is a standrd question what was tour SAT score. Kids say 1600 and move on.
@Coloradomama : That just makes sense. It’s a GPA, not an SAT.
For those art school bound students; we found that some schools had a formula where strength of portfolio/gpa/test scores was used for merit scholarships. I’m mentioning this because I’ve heard time and time again that some art school bound students don’t think that the SAT matters very much. It just may help them afford their first choice college. I am certain that my daughters high SAT scores helped net her more financial aid.
I was under the impression that the more you take the ACT the better your chances are on increasing your score. I took my first ACT during my middle school years and then throughout high school. Not knowing that the more you take this test your chances of getting flagged were higher. Well my score increased 6 points and ACT threatened to cancel my scores. Most school systems are encouraging students to take this test early not knowing that it could set you up for a score review and possible score cancellation.
These tests aren’t perfect, but in the world of “holistic” (racist) admissions, they’re one of the last bastions of true equality.
Mensa will let you in with older SAT or ACT scores (from back in the day when we didn’t prep or retest). There is a date cutoff, after that they won’t take them.
SAT or ACT can have lingering effect on students’ confidence in themselves beyond college admissions, which is more concerning in my opinion.
Note that using either or both GPA and SAT scores for hiring can be disadvantageous for older job applicants, due to grade inflation and SAT recentering, as well as the increasing tendency to prep for the SAT.
I don’t necessarily think it is a bad thing for employers to ask for SAT / ACT. Job recruiting is a two-way street, with both employer and job seeker trying to find a mutually beneficial relationship. Personally, I wouldn’t want to work for someone like that, and wouldn’t even apply. They are likely high-scorers themselves, and looking for someone “equal”.
From another vantage point, I have seen college grads feature their high test scores on their resume, with nothing impressive from their college experience. Those resumes go right into the circular file.
GPA is very much school, college, teacher, course rigor, major, inflation, deflation dependent. Standardized test scores add another angle. What should be banned are all those prep centers and several attempts. All scores and number of attempts should be included in reports. A 1500 after three attempts and years of prep centers is different then one attempt with self-preparation.
Several areas in Wall St ask for them, up to 10 years after graduation. Hedge funds, private equity and asset management seem to ask most frequently, sometime IB as well.
Perhaps SAT scores may be relevant if the job is that of SAT prep instructor or tutor.