sions committees would expect you to enroll in
several of these, preferably balanced
between the sciences and nonsciences. Admissions
personnel, based on their school site
visits and experience with prior applicants,
have a reasonably good perspective of a
school's course offerings; thus they are likely
aware of the essay and difficult courses
that appear on your transcript.
In viewing your transcript the admission
personnel's search for trends is a standard
approach. Special attention is frequently given
to your most recent level of performance,
namely your junior and lower senior year grades.
Also, the consistent direction of the
level of your work is a significant factor.
Consistent superior work over the years, or a
marked upward trend from a mediocre start, can
prove helpful in advancing your case
toward the acceptance goal.
Standardized Tests
High schools vary in size, character, and the
quality of their education. The use of stan-
dardized tests "levels the playing field,"
because it provides for uniformity in judging
performance. It therefore makes it possible for
candidates who come from different high
schools to be compared in an objective manner.
Consequently, a more reliable compara-
tive assessment can be made between candidates
for admission.
There is a consensus among admissions officers
that the combination of both tran-
script and standardized test scores is a better
predictor of performance than the use of
the transcript by itself. Because of this
enhanced predictive value, most colleges man-
date taking either the SAT or ACT as a
prerequisite for applying for admission. Some
require specific achievement
tests.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
This standardized exam measures verbal and
mathematical reasoning abilities that are
relevant to college performance. The verbal
section will emphasize critical reading,
while the math section will require students to
produce some of their own results (with
the aid of a calculator). There is also a
standard written English test that reflects your
familiarity with its usage.
A copy of your scores is sent to you and each
college specified on your application.
The scale for the verbal and math tests is
200–800 and the written component has a
20–80 scale. In addition, the College Board
provides you with several percentile rank-
ings. These will indicate how your scores
compare with: (1) all other high school stu-
dents; (2) other college-bound students; and
(3) students in your state who attend high
school.
American College Testing Program Assessment
(ACT)
This test is required for admission to many
schools in some parts of the country. It con-
sists of English, mathematics, reading, and
science reasoning components.
Scoring on this exam involves separate subtest
scores in the 1–56 range and a com-
posite score, representing the average of the
four subtests. Scores are also provided for
specific content areas within English, math,
and reading.
Achievement Tests
These are also sponsored by the College Board
and they measure knowledge in specific
subjects. They are curriculum-based and
intended to assess outcomes of courses that
you have recently completed. Therefore, if you
are aware of the achievement tests you
will need to take, it is best to do so as soon
as possible after you have completed those
subjects. By this means you can maximize your
performance, since your knowledge
base in the subject will be
optimal.
User Comments Add a comment…