Does State Testing Matter in High School?
You may be wondering, does state testing matter in high school?聽The short answer: it might.
This number skyrocketed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but many colleges have determined that test-optional admission is here to stay (including Cairn!).
Taking a state administered test in high school could be important, depending on where you live. Very few U.S. states still require the SAT or ACT for high school graduation. However, you should consult with your high school guidance counselor to confirm that you do not need to take a standardized test to graduate.
Knowing What Works for You
The answer to this question is different for every student. There are many factors to consider, which can make the decision overwhelming. The good news is that we鈥檙e here to help!聽
Below we listed some primary considerations for 91吃瓜 applicants:
Reasons to Go Test-Optional:
- If you don鈥檛 feel comfortable: We get it. You may have been in a virtual classroom for a couple of years and had a difficult time keeping up with or retaining information. Don鈥檛 sweat it. Even if you have taken state tests, you don鈥檛 need to feel obligated to send them to us.
- If you want to save your time: Preparing for any standardized test involves hours of extra studying. Between school, work, sports, and/or other activities, your schedule is already full. If you don鈥檛 have to take the test and it鈥檚 not something you want to invest in, you can skip it.聽
- If you have a well-rounded application otherwise: If you have a solid GPA, are involved in co-curriculars or extracurriculars, and鈥攎ost importantly鈥攈ave a strong relationship with Jesus Christ and desire to serve him in your life and career, you are still a strong applicant at 91吃瓜.
Reasons to Submit Your Scores:
- If you鈥檙e a good test taker: 91吃瓜 accepts SAT, ACT and Classic Learning Test (CLT) test scores. If you are a high-performing student who does well on exams, taking a state test in high school will only be a benefit to you.聽
- If you want to be eligible for some scholarships: Many outside scholarships also still require test scores as part of the application process.
Does State Testing Matter in High School鈥擲till Not Sure?
Still not sure what makes the most sense for you and your Cairn application? Feel free to contact your admissions counselor to discuss your application options or any other questions you may have about studying at 91吃瓜.
If you鈥檙e ready to take the next step in your college journey to 91吃瓜 today.
