The SAT is a standardized test commonly used for college admissions in the United States. It is designed to assess a student’s readiness for college and is intended to provide colleges with a standardized measure of a student’s academic abilities. However, whether the SAT reveals a student’s “true” performance is a complex and debated question.

As a poor test taker, I have learned a few things. The first is that being self-aware becomes essential in life as you progress, whether it’s in age or a career and even sports. In my experience it is the only way to grow, because if there is no awareness whatever needs to be changed will go unnoticed. Therefore, once I noticed that tests were not a consistent strong suit of mine, I was frustrated. Not only because colleges look at them in applications, but because I have always been an honor roll student and a leader who always does what is expected of me. There was this overwhelming feeling that came over me because I thought none of this would matter if my SAT or ACT scores were not high enough. Though this was eased by learning about test optional schools, there were a few of my peers who shared similar feelings to mine.

The SAT happens to be one of many factors that colleges consider during the admissions process. It assesses skills in mathematics, evidence-based reading, and writing, but it may not capture the full range of a student’s abilities, creativity, work ethic, or other qualities that can contribute to success in college. As a student athlete, I have skills that would lead to success in life, such as a good work ethic or time management. In addition to this I am an AP kid who has had very few complaints or concerns from teachers about my academic abilities. Critics argue that standardized tests like the SAT may fail to accurately measure a student’s potential. Some also argue that a single test score should not be the sole determinant of a student’s academic abilities or future success. Any successful business or company is not only composed of a single individual who is great at everything, but rather a team of employees who each contribute something of their own. There is a place in the world for everyone, because no one is a master of everything and tests like SATs push a false narrative that it is necessary.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement toward test-optional or test-flexible admissions policies, where some colleges and universities do not require SAT scores for admissions or provide applicants with the option to submit them. This shift reflects a recognition that a student’s abilities and potential can be multifaceted and not fully captured by a standardized test. For a student like me who is a varsity team captain, has earned above a 4.0 on her latest report cards and is an active NHS/SGA member.

In essence, the SAT can provide useful information about a student’s academic skills, it should be considered alongside other factors such as high school GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews to get a more comprehensive understanding of a student’s capabilities and potential.