Standardized Testing

Whether you’re applying to college, law school, or any other graduate program, you will likely need to participate in standardized testing. To reduce test anxiety, familiarize yourself with the type of standardized test you will be taking. This will boost your confidence and result in a higher score. Take a look at these brief descriptions of the types of standardized tests required for different levels of post-secondary education.

Undergraduate Admission

The 2 tests that high school juniors and seniors often loathe are the SAT and the ACT. Test scores from one of these two standardized tests are required for college applications.

Both tests claim to gauge a student’s preparedness for college and likelihood to succeed in higher education, but they are designed and scored differently. The SAT is split into three sections: reading, writing, and math. The reading and writing sections are scored together, while math is scored individually. Both sections are worth 800 points, totaling to a perfect score of 1600.

Meanwhile, the ACT is split into reading, math, English, and science; each section is scored separately out of 36. There is also an option to take the ACT with Writing, a version of the ACT with an additional writing section that is scored out of 12.

The test you will need to take depends on the region in which you reside and the region of the colleges to which you will be applying. The Northeast and Western regions of the U.S. prefer the SAT while the Midwest and Southern region prefer the ACT. However, most colleges accept scores from both tests if necessary, and score conversion calculations are available.

Some colleges and universities are “test-optional,” meaning students do not have to submit test scores to apply for admission. However, many of these schools still require SAT or ACT scores for students to qualify for institutional scholarships, and many outside scholarship providers require standardized test scores. Therefore, it is wise to take the SAT or ACT-- and take it seriously-- if you want to get into your dream school and win scholarships.

Graduate Admission

There are more standardized tests required for admission into graduate programs. The common test for professional studies is the Graduate Records Examination, or GRE. Other tests are career-specific, such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is needed for admission into a law program.

The GRE is the general test required for admission to most graduate programs. It is scored similarly to the undergraduate tests. Some programs rely on the GRE more than others; there are a few programs that do not require the GRE. Programs that do not require GRE scores will rely on transcripts, portfolios, professional statements, and letters of recommendation.

Your area of study will also dictate which portion of the GRE is most important. For example, English programs will focus on verbal proficiency while Engineering programs will focus heavily on mathematical proficiency. LSAT scores are much more standardized than the GRE, though. Graduate law programs weight heavily on LSAT scores and GPA rather than portfolios and reference letters. LSAT is the most important portion of law school applications. That score will directly affect a students’ ability to pursue a career in law.

Preparation Pays

Regardless of the test you are taking, preparation pays. Each test has a unique format; understanding those formats is the key to achieving high score. Familiarizing yourself with the nature of the test, your testing environment, and scoring procedures will increase your chance of success.