ACT® and SAT® Scores: What Do High Schools and Colleges Gain From Them?

Standardized tests - like the ACT® and SAT® - mean more to high schools and colleges than just the obvious (i.e., a graduation requirement, an admission testing policy, or part of a student’s college profile); high schools and colleges utilize students’ standardized test scores in a variety of ways. In some cases, scores are used to help students with course and level placement. In other cases, scores are used to help schools and staff improve upon curricula and provide better academic advising. Let’s take a look at how both high schools and colleges use ACT® and SAT® scores and what they gain from them.

High Schools

High schools primarily use standardized test scores as a means of evaluating instruction, evaluating instructors, assessing students’ academic skills (both weaknesses and strengths), and determining the need for curricular changes to ensure that students are getting the most out of their high school education in preparation for college. 

Evaluations - The ACT®, like many similar competing standardized tests, allows high schools to examine the efficacy of instruction in their school. They use these scores as a yardstick to measure how students are performing and identifying areas of need for improving upon staff performance. Maybe some of the teaching methods are ineffective (Popcorn Reading, anyone?). Maybe certain practices and/or materials are no longer serving students well (ahem, giving students prepared notes). Test scores help schools identify the pedagogical shortcomings most ripe for improvement so that they can be addressed with data-driven remedies.

Academic Skills - High schools, much like test-prep professionals, use test scores as a way of determining which students need help and in which subject areas. Test scores display students’ academic strengths and weaknesses, allowing high schools to capitalize on that vital information to better serve both their struggling and high-achieving students.

Curricular Improvements - Just as test scores are used to evaluate instruction, they are also utilized to assess the curriculum being taught. Test scores help schools identify key issues and trends and also find gaps in specific subject areas. Does the curriculum meet the needs of all students? Is the curriculum producing developmental and academic readiness? Test scores help schools determine the success of the program in order for schools to make necessary adjustments and modifications needed to improve upon the curriculum.

Colleges

Whether their admissions policy is test optional, test flexible, or test blind, colleges are looking to admit students who will uphold their school’s academic standards. Standardized test scores are used as quick metrics for admissions and a reliable means of comparing and contrasting applicants. Colleges see a solid test score as proof that not only is that applicant academically fit for their school, but is likely to succeed in their programs of study.

In addition to admissions, colleges are able to use standardized test scores to provide admitted students with the most accurate course placement and academic advising to provide the best academic support for success. 

Admissions- Test scores can tell a college a lot about a prospective student’s college readiness and even predict their future academic success. These results help admissions efficiently and effectively compare and contrast applicants to determine which students would be the best academic fit for their school. 

Interested Colleges- Not all students realize that by taking the ACT® or SAT®, they can choose to have their scores shared with interested colleges. This means that students may get the chance to be sought out by colleges that would not ordinarily have been on their radar - colleges that have found that student to be a great candidate for their school.  Course Placement- First-year course placement matters. Colleges generally offer three course levels (developmental, regular, and advanced) of the same course. Students are fitted into an appropriate course level based on their academic performance. Test scores help colleges categorize students into accurate course levels that best suit the student’s needs and give them the best opportunity for academic success.

Academic Advising- Advisors have their students’ short- and long-term goals in mind when helping them to plan and navigate their collegiate path. Advisors use submitted test scores to help identify students’ academic strengths and weaknesses in order to choose the courses that best fit their students’ needs to help ensure success in their chosen program(s).

Scholarships and Loans- Test scores can open a lot of unexpected doors for students such as academic scholarships, loans, and financial aid. Test scores help colleges better evaluate which students qualify for these types of assistance. In some cases, a high test score combined with characteristics of other forms of academic achievement will make a student qualify for awarded funds. In other cases, a solid score alone is enough for a scholarship. Scholarships most often come from colleges, but also from organizations and even private companies. In any way, these financial advantages can make a huge difference for a student’s goals and aspirations.

Data Reports- ACT® and SAT® scores are also used by colleges for data reports as a means of providing testing information for future students. Records of test scores are often published as average scores or a range of scores for upcoming applicants to compare their scores to.

We’ve talked about what high schools and colleges both have to gain from students’ test scores - and there’s a lot. But, we’d be remiss to point out that, more importantly, students have the most to gain from their test scores. Achieving a high test score in high school and submitting that solid score to colleges can offer students a huge boost for their personal and academic futures.

As always, we here at CCP want to help you and your tutoring business support you students and their test-prep needs. For more information on our 100% white label test-prep toolset - complete with digital and physical resources - contact us for a free demo.