How important is the SAT?
It would not be an understatement to say that the SAT is the most important test you will ever take in your life. The SAT counts as much as all your grades from high school COMBINED! Imagine how much you studied for tests, finals, did homework, and combine all those hours. I hope you are beginning to see how important the SAT truly is. The SAT can also determine where you go to college. While you can’t change your 9th grade history grade, the SAT is truly is the one thing in your application that is not static, and you have the power to change.
The SAT is an integral part of the admissions criteria. US colleges utilize the SAT score in combination with the student’s GPA and school rank to determine the student’s “academic index,” an indicator of the student’s academic success and potential. In assessing students from less prominent high schools, admissions officers give the SAT extra weight. Students who are concerned that their school average and rank might fail to accurately depict their academic potential should viwe the SAT as an opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
Different schools have somewhat different priorities in making admissions decisions. But nearly all agree that grades, difficulty of course schedule, SAT scores, extracurricular activities, and the way in which your package yourself are extremely important. The SAT score is critical because it is the best standardized measure colleges have of comparing students from different schools, different states, and even different countries. Although this score is not the single most important determinant to admission, it is one of the principal 3 or 4 criteria that colleges have. That’s why SAT preparation is a valuable investment in your future.
