Do colleges care about ACT anymore?

Asked by: Kole Murazik  |  Last update: July 25, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (45 votes)

An overwhelming majority of undergraduate admissions offices now make selection decisions without relying on ACT/SAT results,” said FairTest Executive Director Harry Feder in the organization's news release. “These schools recognize that standardized test scores do not measure academic 'merit.

Do colleges really care about ACT scores?

College admission tests like the SAT and ACT are standardized tests typically taken in your junior or senior year. Colleges use scores from these tests to help them make admission decisions. Each college has its own admission processes and policies, and they use scores differently.

Why do colleges no longer require ACT?

Why did colleges go test-optional during COVID? Many colleges were shifting away from requiring ACT or SAT scores long before COVID, arguing in part that exam scores can contribute to inequities in admissions. Given obstacles to taking the tests as the virus spread, the trend accelerated over the last few years.

Do ACT scores matter anymore?

Even as many colleges temporarily extend their test-optional admissions policies another year, the ACT and SAT still can greatly affect merit-based scholarships and college admissions. Test optional really is only for those excited to pay full price.

Are colleges waiving ACT scores for 2023?

But for now, the short answer is that most colleges are not requiring SAT or ACT test scores for the class of 2023.

Do colleges really not care if you take the SAT or ACT?

43 related questions found

Should I submit my ACT score 2023?

The shorter answer is: yes.

Students should know the difference between these two policies: Test-Optional: You are not required to submit test scores, but they can still help your chances of admission. Test-Blind: Your test scores make no difference, and submitting them has zero effect on your application.

What colleges don t require SAT or ACT for 2023?

Top 100 Colleges That Don't Require The SAT/ACT
  • Brown University.
  • Columbia University.
  • Cornell University.
  • Dartmouth College.
  • Harvard University.
  • University of Pennsylvania.
  • Princeton University.
  • Yale University.

Are ACT scores declining?

Average scores on the ACT from the high school graduating class of 2022 dropped to their lowest point in 30 years. Approximately 1.3 million students in this year's graduating class took the ACT, a test comparable to the SATs that some students use in their college applications.

Has the ACT gotten harder?

Relatively speaking, the ACT has gotten “harder” over the years. As students start to do better on ACT, the test-makers gradually adjust the difficulty level of the test. And students have gotten better. In 1970, the average composite score nationwide was 18.6.

Does GPA or ACT matter more?

When it comes to the GPA and the ACT, students often wonder which one is more important. Although college admissions officers often say that they give much more weight to a student's GPA, even they will admit that your ACT score is of considerable importance.

Why ACT scores should not be used?

The Case Against Standardized Test Requirements

At the national level, researchers have found evidence that standardized test scores such as the SAT and ACT are worse predictors of a student's success in college than other measures, such as high school GPA.

Why have ACT scores dropped?

Lack of Data Literacy – A Big Reason for the ACT Test Scores Drop. median account for 40-43%. School faculty need to recognize the importance of data literacy and incorporate it into their curriculum as early as possible.

Can you go to college if you never took the ACT?

Test-Optional College

Applicants at test-optional schools do not need to take the SAT or ACT. However, these schools may offer academic scholarships based on test scores. Learners may benefit from taking these exams. Competitive schools may offer priority admission to applicants with high scores.

Do universities prefer SAT or ACT?

Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.

What ACT score do most colleges want?

Less selective institutions tend to accept scores closer to the national average (21), whereas more competitive universities often prefer scores in the 32-36 range.

Do Ivy Leagues care about ACT scores?

Generally speaking, you need a minimum ACT score of 31 to get into an Ivy League School. The minimum score is 32 at a few of these schools, including Harvard and Yale. The minimum SAT score to get into an Ivy League school ranges from 690 to 730 for the reading section and from 700 to 730 for the math section.

What percent of people fail the ACT?

In 2021, 38 percent of ACT test takers failed to meet any of the benchmarks.

Is it OK to fail the ACT?

Just Before You Worry About a Failing ACT Score

There is no such thing as a failing ACT score. The lowest score you can get on the standardized test is 1, while the highest score you can get on it is 36.

How hard is a 27 on the ACT?

Considering those things, it's easy to say that a 27 ACT score is good. Looking at this from another angle, earning a score of 27 lands you in the 85th percentile, meaning that you've scored higher than 85% of all test takers. Give yourself a round of applause!

Are colleges getting rid of ACT and SAT?

Moving away from standardized tests is in-step with other major university institutions. The University of California Regents, for example, voted in May 2020 to suspend SAT and ACT testing requirements through 2024 and eliminate them altogether for California students in 2025.

What kind of students do better on the ACT?

Generally, the ACT tends to be the better fit for students who struggle with word problems or algebra in general, although many of my stronger math students prefer the ACT's straightforward wording to SAT's complex tone.

What is the average ACT score in America?

The average ACT score is 19.

If you've scored 20, then you've scored higher than 50% of test-takers. That's pretty good, depending on your frame of reference. A score of 24 places you at the 76th percentile—better than ¾ of test-takers!

What elite colleges are SAT optional?

Schools continue to temporarily waive test requirements due to COVID-19. Some test-optional policies have limitations for international and homeschooled students. Top test-optional colleges for 2021-22 include Harvard, Stanford, Rice, and Tufts.

Will 2023 SAT be easier?

Many of the changes to the SAT's format and content are designed to make the exam more accessible for students. The digital SAT will be shorter, reading passages will be more concise, questions will be more direct, and students will have access to a wider range of digital tools.

Can I get into Harvard without SAT 2023?

Is Harvard test optional for 2023? Harvard University has recently announced that it will be test-optional for the 2023 admission cycle. This means that students applying to Harvard for the 2023 academic year will have the option to submit SAT or ACT scores, but they are not required to do so.