STUDENT-CENTERED SOLUTIONS FOR COLLEGE PLANNING

During the Best College Fit “Web-Side Chat” earlier this week, a question was raised about the new Score Choice option being offered to SAT test takers by the College Board. Score Choice gives students the opportunity to determine which of their SAT results they would like to send to colleges and is similar to the long-standing score reporting option offered to test-takers by the ACT. Prior to Score Choice, the student’s entire record of SAT results was included in any report sent to a college.

This change in policy regarding score reporting options for the SAT will take effect with the March 2009 test for students in the high school class of 2010. For more information about the SAT Score Choice, go to http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat-reasoning/scores/policy.

On the surface, Score Choice, whether it involves the SAT or the ACT, would seem to be a good thing as you, the test taker, can exercise some control over which results are forwarded to colleges. The test makers argue that this will ease the stress you feel on the day of the test which will in turn help you relax and perform at a higher level. As logical as that assessment seems, I have not seen published research that demonstrates that higher scores will result.

While nearly 20% of the four-year colleges and universities in this country (778) offer optional test submission policies of some sort (check out http://www.FairTest.org to see the list), it is not likely that you will be able to escape having to take the SAT or ACT entirely. Somewhere along the line, you’ll need to submit test results with a college application. As a result, make sure you are aware of your testing options as well as the implications that come with them.

The following are a few observations relative to Score Choice.

1. You can’t mix and match subscores. Score Choice for both the SAT and the ACT allows you to choose from among different sets of test results those that you want to forward to colleges. It does not allow you to put a Critical Reading score from one test administration together with the Math result from a separate test and the Writing from yet another. While it is common for admission officers to combine the best subscores in their assessments of candidates, you cannot make such determinations through Score Choice.
2. If you want to take advantage of Score Choice, be careful when you register to take the SAT that you do not provide names of schools to be recipients of your results. If you do, those schools will automatically see results that, had you been able to see them in advance, you might have elected to withhold. I recommend waiting until early in your senior year when you have identified your short list of colleges to order score reports. At that point, you can determine which scores should be sent to each college.
3. Not all colleges observe the Score Choice option. In fact, a handful of institutions require their applicants to submit all of their test results. That said, they have no way of knowing how many times you have taken the tests—you’re on your honor to convey the necessary information. Check with the schools that interest you to find out what they require.
4. Resist the temptation to take the SAT over and over until you get the scores you want to submit. Not only is there a point of diminishing return with score improvement on multiple test administrations, obsessing on tests and test results will detract from your ability to do the other things you enjoy in life. You only have one shot at being a teenager. Don’t give it up to the pursuit of higher test scores! Focus on the test (SAT or ACT) with which you are most comfortable and limit yourself to three testing opportunities.
5. Finally, ownership is the essence of Score Choice. You own your test results. You control who sees them. Nobody, other than your counselor (on a need-to-know basis), should see your test results unless you give your consent. Moreover, your results should not arbitrarily appear on your high school transcript without your permission.

Regardless of your college aspirations, standardized tests are going to loom large in your life as you engage in the competition for admission. Take the time now to make sure you understand your testing/reporting options and then develop a plan that will enable you to put your best foot forward.

Correction: In the December 14, 2008 blog (Life After the PSAT), I offered a basic formula for using PSAT results to help you arrive at a short list of colleges at which your scores will be competitive. In that formula, I indicated that you could multiply your PSAT result by 10 and then add 60 to reflect typical score improvement to approximate your SAT result. However, to illustrate my point I suggested “a PSAT Critical Reading result could become an SAT score of 630 down the road.” That is incorrect. The likely 60-point improvement should be attributed to the combined Critical Reading and Math score rather than each of the subscores.

Note: The next Web-Side Chat, “Choose Courses Wisely,” will take place at 7PM ET on January 26, 2009. To register, go to: https://www.theadmissiongame.com/members/subscribe_introduction.