Is there even a point in taking the SAT or ACT anymore? In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities made test scores optional for applicants. This policy is still in place for many schools, including top universities which begs the question: what is the point of actually putting the time into these tests?

Colleges claim that the lack of a test score will not reduce an applicant’s admission chance. Since not submitting a score means essentially nothing, there is no reason for a student with a high GPA to submit a test score unless it is exceptional. Perry offers free ACT testing to juniors so students might as well try and just exclude their score if they feel it will negatively impact their chances of getting admitted. 

That said, the SAT is not offered free to students and therefore is a much more difficult choice. Both the SAT and ACT are used by colleges to decide who to admit and what scholarships they should receive, however, they differ in quality and some students will do much better on the SAT than they would on the ACT and vice versa. It is generally held that the ACT is a bit faster-paced with more straightforward questions but less time to answer them but the SAT has more advanced questions with more time to work them out. If a student is going to take a standardized test they should play to their strengths or take both.

Whether or not the test matters depends on what specific college a student is applying to. Some schools ask for a specific test but most schools these days will take either or are test-optional because of COVID-19. Both ASU and U of A for instance currently do not require test scores but will take them into consideration if submitted with the application. Test flexible schools have shifted to focusing more on what makes a given applicant unique rather than numbers like GPA and test scores.

While it may matter less for admissions, many scholarships are still merit-based and it can help to have high test scores. These scholarships can be worth thousands of dollars and are worth considering for students considering going to college. For students going to trade schools the ACT and SAT become a bit less valuable as trade schools either do not worry about scores or have their own placement exams students would need to take.

Students should definitely take the free ACT the school gives to juniors because there is really no reason not to. The SAT is also worth it for many students because it offers a different kind of test that might result in better scores. For those going to trade schools or not going to college, the tests are not quite as valuable. Having test scores, even if applying to test-optional schools can not hurt students because they could always simply not submit them to their chosen colleges.