News
ACT Test Scores at a 30-Year Low
The ACT college admissions test scores for high school students in the United States have declined to their lowest levels in over thirty years, indicating a concerning lack of preparedness for college-level coursework. This decline has been ongoing for six consecutive years, with the trend intensifying during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit organization responsible for administering the test, ACT, highlights the urgent need to better equip graduates for postsecondary success in both college and career paths.
The average composite score for U.S. students on the ACT in 2023 dropped to 19.5 out of 36, down from 19.8 the previous year. Scores in reading, science, and math all fell below the benchmarks deemed necessary for success in first-year college courses, emphasizing the concerning trend in student preparedness. Despite criticism of standardized testing for favoring wealthier students and disadvantaging low-income ones, ACT CEO Janet Godwin argues that these scores remain crucial for placing students in appropriate college courses and aiding academic advisors in providing adequate support.
While many universities have made standardized testing optional for admissions, with some, like the University of California system, not considering ACT or SAT scores even if submitted, the debate over the relevance and usefulness of such tests continues. Student perspectives vary; however, the decline in ACT participation suggests a significant shift in the landscape of college admissions, with potential long-term implications for assessing student readiness and academic success.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
312-848-1266
Illinois Potentially Switching from SAT to ACT
Within the next year, Illinois may be switching from the SAT to ACT as it’s mandated state test. In the state of Illinois, all public high school students are required to pass a standardized college entrance exam to graduate. The Board of Education’s current contract with College Board requires 11th grade students to take the SAT and 9th and 10th grade students to take the PSAT. As this contract expires in June, it is likely the Board of Education will make the switch to the ACT for the 2024-2025 school year.
The state has begun negotiating a deal with ACT Inc. that will award the company a $53 million contract over the course of three years. If this deal is successful, it will be the first time the ACT is mandated for Illinois public school students since 2016. While the state is developing these contracts, the Chicago Board of Education recently renewed its contract with College Board for another two years. Therefore, Chicago public school students can expect to continue taking the SAT until 2026.
Some are dismayed by these potential changes, claiming the ACT does not align with current Illinois educational standards. Matthew Raimondi, a district employee, stated “that high school assessment is ultimately going to guide how teachers teach. Teachers are going to teach to the test you select. I urge you as board members to make sure you make the best decision to move to Illinois forward and not back to a test from the last century.” The state superintendent responded to this by assuring educators that whatever test is selected will align with the requisite learning standards.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
312-848-1266
Standardized Testing Requirements at Yale
Following Dartmouth’s lead, Yale is the most recent Ivy League school to reinstate standardized test scores as a requirement for new students. This means that Yale applicants will need to submit either SAT, ACT, or advanced placement scores in order to be considered for admission. This adjustment will go into effect for students applying for the fall class of 2025.
Yale claims their previous choice to forego standardized test scores became a hindrance to applicants from low socioeconomic backgrounds. According to the Ivy League, admissions committees had less student information to work with therefore putting more emphasis on GPAs and extracurricular activities when assessing applications. Thus, students who suffered in these areas were not given an opportunity to reinforce their scholastic strengths via test scores.
Administrators at Yale assert that requiring standardized testing scores helps them get a fully rounded view of each individual as a student. They claim having access to these scores will “highlight an applicant’s areas of academic strength.” However, they wish to emphasize that test scores alone can not predict student achievement and will only be used as a piece of a larger puzzle when reviewing student qualifications.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
607-848-1266
Test Score Requirements at Dartmouth
Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, most universities including Ivy League schools opted to make SAT and ACT scores optional rather than required upon application. This measure was taken to ensure a more equitable application process for students. However, in 2024, Dartmouth will be the first Ivy League school to reverse this decision by once again requiring students to submit either their SAT or ACT scores for its newest class of students. While many are outraged by this decision, Dartmouth claims its ultimate goal is to increase diversity.
A study conducted by Dartmouth suggests that making test scores optional has actually harmed their goal of inclusion. Students from disadvantaged families and low socioeconomic backgrounds submitted test scores less frequently than advantaged students. However, disadvantaged and/or marginalized students who did submit their test scores frequently achieved higher scores than students without these disadvantages. Thus, if SAT or ACT scores had been required, it is believed that more diverse students would have been admitted.
In addition, Dartmouth administrators believe that reinstating their test score requirement is necessary to predict student performance. Test scores considered in conjunction with high school grades are the best indicator of a student’s success according to research conducted at the college. This study also claims that test score requirements tend to attract students from schools that do not frequently send students to Dartmouth. Thus, if proven correct, the mandate would lead to a more inclusive student body. Still, it remains to be seen if other colleges and universities will follow in Dartmouth’s wake and once again require SAT and ACT scores.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
312-848-1266
Overview of the Digital SAT
In the near future, students will only be able to take the SAT via a digital format. Last November, a select portion of SAT students were offered the chance to test out this format by taking the digital SAT. Among this group, 80% of students found the new test taking process to be less stressful than the paper version which was previously the standard. The College Board began offering the digital SAT to international students in March of 2023 and plans to fully implement it in March of 2024 for class of 2025 juniors (current sophomores).
The digital SAT boasts a number of benefits. Among these, the digital interface allows the test to adapt to each student. With an adaptive test model, each section independently adapts to the student’s level of ability, making the resulting score more reliable. Additional benefits include shortening the test-taking time period from 3 hours to 2 hours and making scores available to students just days after they take the exam. The digital SAT will also offer a range of online tools students may use at their disposal. These tools include an on-screen timer, elimination tools which allow students to cross out incorrect answers, and the ability to flag questions for review so that students can go back to check them.
The content of the test will remain essentially the same with minor format changes. For the math section, students will have 44 questions to complete in 70 minutes. Students will have access to a graphic calculator on the screen during this portion of the test. During the reading and writing section, students will have 64 minutes to answer 54 questions regarding reading comprehension and grammar. The digital SAT will make reading questions shorter and reinstitute sentence completion questions. Each section of the test will still be worth 800 points and students will continue to have access to a reference sheet for formulas. Altogether, the digital SAT looks to streamline the test taking process while adapting to the changing landscape of technology based assessments.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
College Enrollment Still Down from Pre-Pandemic Levels
Rates of college enrollment, which decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Across the country, the rate of undergraduate enrollment dropped 8 percent between 2019 and 2022, marking the steepest decline on record, and while admissions rates are increasing slightly, they have yet to return to 2018 levels.
Despite predictions that the decline was only temporary, it appears that many of those who opted out of college at the beginning of the pandemic have decided not to return to school. While those who don’t attend college typically have a lower average earning potential, many are questioning the benefits of attending colleges and universities when tuition prices continue to rise and rates of student debt are at an all-time high.
Fewer graduates from college could lead to shortages in certain fields, such as healthcare and engineering, while the market for computer science skills has steadily increased. Additionally, many young people are pursuing education outside of the traditional four-year degree; trade schools and apprenticeship programs, for example, are on the rise. The pandemic, which threw a wrench in the plans of many, may have caused a lasting shift in the way young people consider their future.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
The Classical Learning Test Replacing SAT/ACT in Florida?
The SAT and ACT may soon be replaced by the Classical Learning Test in the state of Florida. Primarily used by home-school and private-school students, the CLT is a standardized test steeped in “traditional” education values. School board officials from the state claim the new test contains more challenging material than the SAT and is fitter to uphold the democratic principles of America. As Governor Ron DeSantis searches for alternatives to the College Board’s standardized tests, individuals from the Department of Education are pushing for the implementation of the CLT.
Created in 2015 as a way to disengage from modern education standards, the CLT diverges from the SAT and ACT in ideology. While the College Board recognizes critical race theory as a foundational tenet of education, the CLT takes a conservative approach to this topic with regard to religious values. Chad Pecknold, a member of the CLT’s establishing board stated that it is “an alternative to the College Board that orients people to the perennial truths of the great classical and Christian tradition.” Other Florida Education officials claim that the SAT has “censored” ideals of the Christian faith and thus claim that an alternative test must be implemented.
Currently, the SAT and ACT are the only standardized tests recognized by collegiate institutions in Florida. However, if new legislation is passed the CLT will be available to all eleventh and twelfth-grade students who wish to forgo taking a College Board exam. As of now, Governor DeSantis has not confirmed the state’s switch. Still, Florida education officials are pushing for the addition of the new test, making it likely that the CLT will be recognized as a legal college entrance exam alternative in the coming years.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
Sources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-sat-college-board-alternative-classical-christian-desantis-western-thought-2023-2
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/02/19/florida-weighs-classical-and-christian-alternative-to-sat-college-entrance-exam/
https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/02/17/desantis-classical-learning-test-college-board-ap-sat/
ACT vs. SAT : Do Colleges Prefer One Over the Other?
The short answer to the question above is no. As of 2023, all colleges that consider standardized test scores as part of their admissions processes will take SAT or ACT scores at an equal value.
This myth has persisted primarily because of the fact that a lot of states mandate that their high schoolers take either the SAT or ACT during the school day. CPS students take the SAT at their schools in April. Just north in Wisconsin, the ACT is mandated, so it varies state to state. Additionally, about half of incoming college freshmen attend colleges that are within 100 miles of their hometowns. As a result, colleges tend to receive a majority of test scores from the test that their state mandates that students take in high school (i.e. the SAT for Illinois students). Not all states mandate the SAT or ACT, but each state often leans one way or the other.
All of that being said, these state mandates and local tendencies do not affect how colleges consider either test, and students should just take whichever test they feel most confident. Students may also take both tests, but should consider the extra preparation time, stress, and testing fees that would be involved.
Check out our article ‘What's the Difference Between the SAT and the ACT?’ from November, 2022 to see which test is right for you!
Nate Hall, Director of Technology & Tutoring Coordinator
nate@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
What to Bring to the SAT
When you take the SAT, there are a few things you'll need to bring with you. See below for a list of what not to forget on your test day!
Printed Admissions Ticket
When you register to take the SAT, you will receive an admissions ticket for your specific testing location. You’ll need to bring a printed copy of this ticket with you to the testing center - before printing, double check to make sure the location hasn’t changed!
Photo ID
Accepted photo identification must be the original version of an ID issued by the government or by the school which you currently attend. The name on the ID must match the name on your registration.
Two No. 2 Pencils
It can’t hurt to have a spare - and make sure they have working erasers!
An Approved Calculator
You can use a calculator on the Math Test - Calculator section! Accepted calculators include all scientific calculators, most graphing calculators, and four-function calculators (although these are not recommended due to their simplicity). Note that you may not share calculators with others.
Face Covering
Make sure you check the masking requirements for your specific testing location, and bring along a face covering just in case.
A Watch
While not required, it can be helpful to bring a watch with you to the test, so that you can more effectively pace yourself. Smart watches will not be allowed - the simpler the better! Also, be sure to make sure your watch doesn’t have an alarm set.
Water Bottle and Snacks
For most students, there will be one 10-minute break and one 5-minute break during the test. You won’t be able to use your phones, but you will be able to take a drink and have a quick snack!
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
The SAT Changing to a Digital Format in 2024
To adjust to the changing landscape of standardized testing, in 2024 the College Board will be offering the SAT digitally to students in the United States. Covid-19 and other factors caused a decreased demand for SAT scores by colleges causing many high schools to forego in-school SAT testing. Because of this, students have less access to and incentive to take the SAT than ever before. To support students’ changing needs, College Board has adapted the SAT to an improved digital format. They believe this change will increase student interest and make the test more relevant to student needs.
According to Priscilla Rodriguez of College Board, “the digital SAT will be much easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant.” Rodriguez claims this testing format will benefit students as it is similar to the online tests they’ve seen in school. The digital SAT will be adaptive, meaning questions will vary based on student answers. The efficiency of adaptive testing means that students will spend around two hours taking the test digitally as opposed to three hours with the previous manual version. Other changes include shorter reading passages and access to calculators for the entirety of the math section.
To take the SAT digitally, students will meet at a testing location where the test can be monitored. Students may use their own computers. However, if a student does not have access to a computer, one will be provided to them for the duration of the test. Students will no longer need extraneous materials such as writing utensils and calculators. Therefore, lack of access to these materials will no longer be an issue. In addition, digital SAT scores will now be available just days after testing as opposed to several weeks with the hand-written version. The College Board believes these adjustments will benefit students by modernizing the standard SAT format.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266