Take the SAT / ACT or not?

Question

Although I have alot of college credits built up (including getting my associates degree), I haven't taken either test. This is because because the schools I have been to so far (a technical trade school, a 2-year private college, & some classes at a community college) were either open enrollment types, or the minimum requirement was a high school degree & a B average.

I've been told by some university admissions that based on my age & number of college credits built up, the SAT / ACT score requirement would be waived. But for some universities, I feel like I should take the SAT / ACT anyway.

I emailed one university for info on a particular program. They were quick to respond, & asked for my transcripts & SAT / ACT scores. I replied back & said that I would send my transcripts with previous college work, but also told them about my SAT / ACT issue. After that, I didn't hear from them. It sort of felt like a brush-off for not having the scores.

Thanks for all your advice, everyone. I have decided that I will take at least one of the tests. And I plan to get them done by Fall of next year. I have to get more calculus in first, so that's the earliest it will be. Anyway, I'll be glad to finally have them on my record! :-)

Answer 1

From my experience, if you have an associate's, an ACT/SAT would not be necessary for admittance if the GPA was high enough and you had a large number of transferable credits. If you're going into another college/university as a junior, the test scores shouldn't be necessary. Maybe the college you wrote to was planning to evaluate your work before deciding if they need additional scores.

Still, it sounds like you're interested in taking the tests, though, and if that's the case, it probably won't hurt.

Saying all that, of course a university may have different requirements. E-mail again. And it could be they are just catching their breath if it's a big school - they probably had a lot of new freshmen and transfer students to get situated. Keep at it! The "system", even when you're part of it, can be difficult to navigate. Once you find someone, stick to them. Best to you!

Answer 2

Call them back and find out their policy on non-traditional students. Most colleges and universities should have a policy and be able to tell you what it is. They are very bureaucratic and if they never called you back it is probably due to some accidental oversight intead of a willful dismissal of your question and status. Check their website for procedures as well.

I never took the SAT but I took the ACT. If you have been out of school for a while, you may have forgotten how to to trig and quadratics and other math that, if not high level, is complex. You should definately study up if you decide to take it. I didn't study up on it (I thought I'd go military instead, and blew it off), then I woke up late, unfed, running a fever and arrived just before they locked the doors, and stayed agitated for a long time. Because of all that, I only got a 27 (on a 36 point scale). I was kinda bummed because I wanted at least a 28 for a special scholarship I had been thinking about... and one of my friends beat me with a 31 or 32. Of course, everyone else thought I did great, since the average score (in 1991) was a 17, but I felt like a failure.

I have not checked, but maybe the ACT would be weighted do to your age and level of education. It is generally calibrated to 17 year old high school juniors. Or maybe the score would be weighted differently by the school themselves. The school may even have their own general, as well as specific, placement examinations. However, if you have an AA, it should already show that you can manage college level courses. In IL, I think that gets you into state schools fairly easily. Private schools are all different. Good luck with those.

Answer 3

You can take either or both of the tests if you want to.

One thing I would do if possible though, instead of e-mailing a university for information, see if you could call them and actually talk to someone in registration about what they would require. If you've already been to college they may not need an ACT SAT score, or they may tell you that you have to have the test scores. This way you can find out if you are getting the brush off. But either way your best bet would be to try talking with someone in the registrar's office.

Answer 4

I honestly think taking the SAT or the ACT can only help you. It's just like if you look at a resume and they don't list their GPA, you automatically assume it's a bad GPA. If you don't show SAT or ACT scores, they are going to assume:

a) You are too afraid to take it
b) You have a really poor score

I think you should take it anyway. If you get a poor score, don't list it and you're in the same place as before. However, a good showing will HELP you. This is a situation where taking it can only help.

That being said, all the research points (I'm sorry I can't find the article) to the fact that study guides don't help. Most study guides (books) are poorly written or designed to scare students. I would focus on either getting a private tutor if you can afford one or using a private service like PrepMe (http://www.prepme.com) or Sandweiss Test Prep here in Seattle (http://sandweisstestprep.com/?gclid=CIC-6sHdq4cCFQK3PgodtWcY6g).

Good luck!

Answer 5

Take the test. It really simplifies matters, especially if you want a traditional liberal arts education. If you intend to stay in trade schools, etc., then there is no point, but if you are looking outside of that, take the test.

Similar to the high school diploma vs. GED question, the traditional route will save a lot of questions and you will be less self-conscious about it. They look at the test, not when you took it.

Answer 6

I say go for it. What could it hurt? If you don't get an acceptable score, you can always retake it.

As for the university that didn't write you back, send them another email asking if they received your last email. If they still don't reply, give them a call. It's harder to brush someone off on the phone than it is by email. Good luck :)

Answer 7

I got 2 perfect scores in math and reading, but my writing score was only 720, for a total of 2320. I only read this SAT guide, and that is how I got such high scores:
http://www.guideparadise.com/index.php?option=com_guides&task=buy&id=6
I recommend this guide to anyone seeking to get a higher score to get into a first choice college.

Answer 8

TAke one or both. You'll want to have this information in the future, and taking it now is easier.

Answer 9

You should probably take one, but not both. Most collages take either one.

Answer 10

take both