Are the SAT and ACT effective?

Taking the SAT/ACT can be scary knowing that it might help you or stop you from getting into your dream college. Personally, taking a test will give me anxiety knowing that I may not get into my dream school. Many think taking a test like the ACT or SAT is detrimental because it doesn’t show colleges your full potential.

Studies show there is very little difference between two groups: Students who submitted their test results and to those who didn’t. There was a graduation rate difference of less than 1%. The SAT and ACT are both high stake, stressful barriers to any student hoping to continue their education. The SAT and ACT are timed which also adds more stress. Not only do students have to worry about getting a good grade to get into their dream college, now they got to worry about having time to finish the test.

However, there are also positives to taking the SAT and ACT. If you score a high grade on either test, that’s more doors opening for college. Taking the SAT also provides consistent feedback across assessments to help students stay on course and teachers as they adjust their instruction for students who are either ahead or behind.

I interviewed Hailey Wren and asked her how she feels about taking the SAT and ACT:

“I really don’t get why we have to take the ACT or SAT because if you fail them you’re still going to have to pay for the tests, so I really don’t think they are effective.”

I also interview Alma Moreno who said, “I do not know what the purpose of this is if it wont really change anything and we still got to take this test even if we are not going to college.”

How do you feel about taking the SAT and/or the ACT?