As May 3rd approaches, another grade of students are preparing for the most important test of their lives: the SATs. They have studied as much as they can; memorizing tricks, working on mathmatic skills, and improving their writing for their future. No amount of studying can prepare them for being tired and being in agony during a three and half hour long test. After a few weeks, these same students will receive their scores and realize one of two things: 1. Wow. I didn't think I was as smart as this! or 2. I usually get good grades...Why am I so stupid?
After I took the SATs last year, I was a little depressed. I had done a small course offered at my school, but that didn't help much. In fact, it didn't help at all. Now, I have been a straight A student for the past two years, how could I receive such a low score? I had no idea. I took it a second time, along with my other classmates. I didn't prepare at all for it. I kept saying I would, but I never did. My second score was higher than my first by 100 points. Some of my classmates who had taken big courses and studied definition after definition received scores that were significantly lower. There must be a scam here.
The first time I took the SATs, I skipped about 20-30 questions in math. (That's a whole section.) The second time I took it, I tried answering every question, maybe skipping 3 that I didn't know at all. I received a lower score the second time than the first. For the writing section, I received the same score both times. Reading, I reall read the sections and understood what I was reading the second time, unlike the first. I received 70 points higher. Even with this improvement, my SAT scores are pathetic.
Now, there has to be something wrong. I'm an A student and do terrible on this test, while some students who don't do their homework or pay attention in class get scores 200 points or mor higher than me. This is not right.
For those of us who have worked hard in high school and have earned our grades, but did poorly on the SATs, we aren't going to get into some colleges because of our SAT scores. Others might have a little advantage over us. Although schools can see your tanscripts and see how hard you worked, they still might accept you because of your low score.
I believe that schools should not consider the SATs; these scores don't define us.
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you are sooo right i am just like you; i am a 3.7 gpa student but on my ACT i maid a 21 the first time i took it . im taking it again tomorrow and i have not studied soo i hope that i do good and get at least a 24 i would love that. schools should focus on the actual grades that one can make on aday to day basis not on a 3 hour timed test.
Just keep in mind that actual grades are not always comparable between schools. I sympathize with you on the SAT matter, but the SAT and other standardized tests aren't that great. Have you ever listened to a grader rant about what is wrong with the SAT writing portion? I think that the admissions process should focus more on interviews or things that demonstrate knowledge and other attractive qualities.
Grades show commitment, and some comprehension, but they don't give the whole picture. That is why many colleges are trying to lessen grades, and make the essays and interview more important.
I agree. But in reality it does matter a lot.
Most schools don't even bother with the SAT anymore.
Even the ACT is becoming a thing of the past.
Schools like to see that you've taken it, but they usually aren't judging you on whether or not you got a high standardized test score. At least all the schools I applied for, anyway.
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The SAT is hardly the most important test of your life. I think the USMLE is far, far more important for my career, and the bar is more important for those going into law, entrance exams into specific schools (such as nursing, medical, dental, law, etc) have far more weight. You have to do well on those to be considered... if you don't do so well on the SAT, you can make up for it somewhere, even if it means going to a 'lesser' school for a couple years.
I went from a 1210, I think, to a 1330 when I took it my junior and senior years. I also took it in October, which was the most common date for my school. I never worried about anything except IB and AP tests in May...
~C
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Have you taken the ACT? I had similar luck on the SAT and I graduated with a 4.2 GPA. Some people do a lot better on the ACT...this was the case for me. I wish I wouldn't have even bothered with the SAT, as every college I applied to would take either.
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