An expert from the Common App talked with Action News about taking the SAT and ACT.
"So I think the wisest attitude and plan to have when it comes to testing is, first and foremost, know if you need to test," says Tricia Renner, Vice President of Member and Learner Services at the Common App. "Many institutions continue to be test optional, so it's really important that students understand what are the requirements of the institutions that they're planning to attend. some may require test scores, some may not."
Renner recommends calling the admissions office and clarifying if test scores are required, optional or not needed -- and what is the optimal range your child should be in.
If they take tests, check SAT or ACT. The SAT can no longer be assumed to be dominant.
When it cmes to getting ready, the test is stressful because it's new territory. Help your kid get past that by finding all the free material, including free full practice tests online.
"The first thing they should be doing is taking advantage of all the free resources," says Renner. "There are free resources available to help students become familiar with the content and format of the exam."
Now you have a benchmark. You should plan to be ready to take the test for real in the spring of junior year because that is when students have been exposed to a lot of the content in the exams.
If your student is unhappy with their score, you still have time to retest in the fall.
But the most important thing you can do now and in the application process in general is adjust your attitude and lower the stress for your kid
"A single exam is not going to make or break a student's opportunities to attend a college that is going to be a great fit for them," says Renner. "There are multiple factors that go into the admissions process."
There is no one way to college. Listen to your child and let this be about the joy of finding the right choice, not the fear that there is a scarcity of choices.
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