SAT, ACT, AP: The Alphabet Soup of College Prep Testing

College prep testing is a topic that I cover thoroughly with all of my high school student clients and their families. Of course, my students hate this topic, and their parents are usually pretty overwhelmed by it. My job is to break down what every test accomplishes and offer guidance on the student’s best approach.

While my review with families is tailored to each student’s goals, this article will give you a high-level overview of the various tests that high school students may need to take for college applications or credit. Let’s go through the alphabet soup of exams so that you can start tackling your student’s best plan.

College Admissions: SAT and ACT

The SAT (formerly called the Scholastic Aptitude Test) and American College Test (ACT) are standardized tests used for the college admissions process. Most universities will accept either test for their admissions review and have no preference which a student submits. The popularity and accessibility of one test over the other might vary by state, county, or school.

The SAT and ACT measure a high school student’s readiness for college. Students are tested on math and English skills on both tests. The ACT also covers science and contains an optional essay. Students often do better on one test than the other. 

Decide between the SAT and ACT for your student by having them take a diagnostic of each exam during winter break of sophomore year. Many test prep centers offer diagnostic exams for free as a way to introduce you to their services. Once the student has an idea of which test they prefer, or which one garnered a better score, they can focus on that for admissions. I recommend taking the test at least twice: during fall and winter of junior year. Students who aren’t happy with either of those scores then have time for a third try in spring. While students can still take both the SAT and ACT during senior year, that adds unnecessary extra pressure close to college application deadlines.

Most colleges dropped the SAT and ACT testing requirements at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic since students no longer had access to the exams. Many schools are going test-optional as a permanent policy. I don’t think this means that all students should forget about them, though. Good SAT or ACT scores can provide a valuable boost to a student’s college application.

Curriculum-Based Exams: AP and IB

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are based on high school courses. Students who are doing exceptional work in a subject can take an AP class along with an exam that demonstrates their subject matter expertise. AP exams are scored on a scale of 5, with 3 typically being the minimum acceptable score. Depending on the student’s chosen university or major, a higher score may be required.

It’s a good idea to find out how the colleges your student is exploring will handle AP exams. Some universities give actual credit for AP exams, while others use them as placement accelerants. There are costs associated with the exams, so parents should be aware of how that test will benefit their student at the college level. Some colleges don’t make any coursework exceptions in the student’s major. In that case, the credits earned from a successful AP exam may count toward general education and elective credits only.  

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a lesser known high school curriculum program. IB is based in the UK and is a common international route to higher level coursework for high school students. IB is becoming an option at some US high schools. Similar to AP courses, IB programs focus on higher level learning. IB programs limit higher level courses to three, while other courses remain at the standard level. American universities that are familiar with IB standards typically look favorably on applicants from these programs.

Having worked with hundreds of high school students, I know all too well that tests are often not their favorite thing, but college prep exams definitely help students get accepted to their top choice schools, enhance their financial aid package, or gain early college credit. If you’re struggling to identify your student’s best test and advanced course options, contact me for a free strategy session. We can explore your teen’s strengths and interests before mapping out the best testing plan.