Does SAT for college applications reflect your real potential? In short, no. Personally, I have only taken the ACT, so my knowledge of the SAT’s tests procedures are limited at best. However, the ACT in my personal opinion, is not a good indicator of potential or future success. Due to a few key factors such as the time limits, SAT/ACT Scores are not an accurate reflection of someone’s overall intelligence.

This is due to many factors, but first and foremost is the fact that these tests are timed in such a manner that you are forced to answer questions as quickly as possible. This does not give you adequate time as the test taker to work through questions in a proper and critical manner. While it does show intelligence, it is more an exam on “How good at taking tests are you?” than anything else.

This is not a good way for future employers, and colleges to judge an applicant’s character. The real world is not a test. The real world is not always timed, and not everything has to be perfect on the first try. It is a dangerous idea to spread, where if you are not anything but perfect you will be denied the right to a future and to further your education and/or career. This is not to mention that those who struggle with taking tests, will ultimately fail in the eyes of any institution who accepts upon only their SAT/ACT score.

Many of those who take these tests feel that it is their only opportunity to further their education and career. Those who have not had a good track record in school, those who have had to divert their attention to other areas of life may feel that their only option is to get a good score on these tests.

These tests do, however, have some merits. They show a person’s understanding of basic or intermediary knowledge taught to them in school. And while standardized tests are not the best form of exam, they are still a useful tool. Some areas in life will have these timed rapid questions, and people must be prepared to deal with them efficiently otherwise they will fail.

Ultimately, these tests are a useful tool to understand a person’s character and future potential, but they should not be solely relied upon. It is dangerous and careless to do this, because there are many factors which go into a person’s future potential, and a standardized test alone cannot account for everything.