PLANNING THE MOST EFFECTIVE TEST PREP PATH

Figure out which how colleges in your sights factor in the SAT/ACT.

• About 10% of colleges REQUIRE you to submit an SAT or ACT score.  

• About 10% of colleges are TEST BLIND - they do not take test scores into account.

• About 80% of schools are TEST OPTIONAL - you do not have to submit a score, but it can boost your application. 

• Google any school's status in regards to test requirements.  Example: Google "SUNY Albany SAT optional"

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Figure out what constitutes an attractive score at the colleges in your sights.   

• Example: Google "SUNY Albany SAT Score" to reveal the score range of previously accepted students.

• For TEST OPTIONAL schools, submit your score it meets or exceeds their range, and withhold your scores if you fall far short.  

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​​Dig deeper into the true importance of submitting test scores at TEST OPTIONAL schools.  This issue varies.​​

• Every college must publish a "Common Data Set," which provides vast info on previously accepted students.

• A TEST OPTIONAL college's Common Data Set will state what percentage of accepted students submitted a test score.

• The higher this percentage, the more seriously you should strive to submit a test score, despite the TEST OPTIONAL status.

• Example: Google "University of Michigan Common Data Set 2022-2023" and scroll down to "SAT/ACT Policies"