TEST PREP – Ivy College Consulting

TEST PREP

At Ivy College Consulting, we encourage undergraduate applicants to begin preparing for standardized tests well in advance. Understanding which test they are better suited for is important, so we offer an initial assessment exam (SAT and ACT) that allows us to recommend a Test Prep Strategy (TPS) and a testing timeline. Graduate applicants must also plan to prepare thoroughly for standardized tests such as the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. This can be a challenge when the applicant is working full time, but it is especially important if considering highly selective schools. We are prepared to discuss available options and suggest a personalized testing strategy.

STANDARIZED TEST SCORES

WHAT SCORE DOES AN APPLICANT NEED TO GET INTO A TOP US COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY?

When considering a student’s probability of being accepted at a specific college or university, it is important to analyze the student’s standardized test score relative to the school’s average scores.*

If a student’s test score is within the middle range or above, the student is in a relatively favorable position from an admissions standpoint. How much an acceptable score will help, will depend on several factors: the weight the college places on standardized test scores, the student’s actual score, how selective the college is and the application itself (GPA, course rigor, activities list, essays, recommendations, demonstrated interest, etc.)

College admissions officers state that top SAT scores do not guarantee admission, for they look at the “whole person”, not just the scores.

A score below the mid range, on the other hand, will reduce the chances of admission. Accepted students with scores in the lower quartile range tend to have an admissions hook such as: legacy status, a first-generation background, a recruited athlete, ethnic diversity, geography, gender or a special talent.

* That information is easily accessible on the individual school websites and the College Board website.
Note: If interested in the statistical definitions of the data, please refer to www.collegeboard.org.

SCHOOL WITH A MIDDLE RANGE SAT SCORE > 1450 (2016)

The maximum scores a student can obtain are 1600 on the SAT and 36 on the ACT. Less than 1/10th of 1% of students achieve perfect scores!

When a student has very strong reading/writing skills and solid math/problem solving abilities, the most important part of test prep may be boosting his or her standardized test taking abilities. Practicing tests under timed conditions helps develop stamina and reviewing mistakes helps a student distinguish the correct answers from the so-called “distractors” (answer options that are intentionally confusing!)

SCHOOL WITH A MIDDLE RANGE SAT SCORE > 1350 (2016)

There are several ways to prepare for standardized tests. A student may choose to prepare independently or with a one-on-one expert tutor. The choice will depend on the student’s learning style and PSAT and SAT/ACT scores (real or self-assessed).

Khan Academy offers Official SAT Practice online for free. Their methodology reads a students test results and uses an algorithm to generate personalized and targeted practice problems. Experts suggest that is THE key to improve test scores. Another key, in our opinion, is parent involvement. Inspiring a child to prepare for standardized tests and showing empathy when they are not motivated, can go a long way.

SCHOOL WITH A MIDDLE RANGE SAT SCORE > 1250 (2016)

At present, more than 950 colleges and universities in the US are either SAT Optional or SAT Flexible. Some SAT Optional schools are Wake Forest, Wesleyan, Brandeis, George Washington University, Bryant, American University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Several “test flexible” schools are New York University, Middlebury, Colby and University of Rochester.

International students are sometimes exempt from standardized test requirements. Examples of schools that have that policy are University of Miami, Northeastern, American University and Loyola University Chicago.

SCHOOL WITH A MIDDLE RANGE SAT SCORE > 1150 (2016)

Flexible standardized testing policies can be beneficial for students whose test scores are not comparable to their high school GPA. Those students can leverage the opportunity by creating a balanced school list that includes SAT optional schools that fit their academic, social and financial needs.

However, students rarely have a school list that is exclusively SAT Optional and will have to prepare to take standardized tests anyway. So it is always best to start early and choose the Test Prep Strategy (TPS) that will be most effective.

AVERAGE SAT AND ACT SCORES IN THE US

In 2015, the average SAT score was 1084 and the average ACT score was 21. According to standardized test concordance tables, those average scores are comparable. Currently, 27% more students take the ACT than the SAT.

It is interesting to highlight that the ethnic group with the highest average scores in the US are the Asians. In 2015, their average SAT score was 105 points higher than the national average and their average ACT was almost 3 points higher. Asian family culture places particularly high value on education, and the results of their efforts speak for themselves. At Ivy College Consulting, we believe that all students can achieve the same results if they commit themselves to the task!