Admissions Village

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Test scores and test-optional admissions, which have been in the spotlight for several years now, are getting renewed attention as of late. Many colleges have still not decided if they will become permanently test-optional for admissions. I want to thank my colleague Meg Joyce for co-writing this blog post with me.

Testing 180

Testing SAT Standardized Testing ACT 180

Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

The landscape of college admissions continues to shift as universities re-evaluate the role of standardized testing in the application process. In a major policy change, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has announced that it will reinstate its standardized testing requirement for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.

Testing 59

Testing Standardized Testing Admissions Policies 59

Solomon Admissions

DECEMBER 27, 2024

The College Board transitioned to the fully digital SAT format in 2024, making it the standard for students worldwide. Youll find that the structure and content of the new test is different than the paper-based version that most people are familiar with.

SAT 96

SAT Transition Testing Admissions 96

Spark Admissions

JUNE 22, 2023

Debates around standardized testing have been around for as long as standardized test scores have been part of education in the United States. Some argue that students undergo too much testing: by their high schools, by the state, for college admissions, etc. Yet, these tests have changed.

Standardized Testing 130

Standardized Testing ACT SAT Testing 130

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 20, 2025

With its reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Stanfords admissions process is notoriously competitive. Stanford is renowned not just for its academic excellence but for its highly selective admissions process, making it a dream school for many and a reality for only a lucky few. 2026 56,378 3.7%

Admissions 98

Admissions Transfer Letters of Recommendation SAT 98

AdmissionSight

MARCH 4, 2025

If you’re prepping for the SAT, you might wonder what the highest score you can get is. But getting there takes strategy, preparation, and understanding how the SAT scoring system works. The test is designed to challenge you, but reaching a top score is possible with the right approach. How is the SAT score calculated?

SAT 52

SAT Ivy League Testing GPA 52

Great College Advice

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Grades and Course Rigor Matter the Most in College Admissions The most recent National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) State of College Admission Report updated its four-year college members’ survey of the Factors in the Admission Decision. College admissions officers read and re-read your transcript.

Admissions 87

Admissions Standardized Testing Letters of Recommendation Transcripts 87

Ivy Central

APRIL 6, 2023

The future of standardised tests. Now, three years later, we see that the vast majority of colleges have not returned to the point of requiring applicants to include a SAT or ACT score as a part of their application. However, over the last year, a few colleges have started to require standardised test scores once again.

Applications 242

Applications Admissions Early Decision SAT 242

Discovery College Consulting

MARCH 4, 2025

Test-optional policies took off during the Covid 19 pandemic, though some institutions, mostly small liberal arts colleges, had adopted these policies in the early 2000s. Recently, some of the most selective colleges in the nation have been reverting to test-required policies. It would not be surprising if others follow suit.

Policies 52

Policies Testing SAT Standardized Testing 52

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 1, 2025

Below is the admissions data over the past decade: UChicago Class Total Applications Overall Acceptance Rate 2028 43,612 4.5% This widening gap makes UChicagos admissions process fiercely competitive. At the same time, the admissions office has worked hard to keep standards sky-high. Its getting tougher to get in every year.

Acceptance 75

Acceptance Ivy League Admissions Waitlist 75

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

A 1300 SAT score opens many doors, though its impact varies based on your college goals. This guide will explore how your 1300 SAT score fits into the college admissions process and what steps you can take to make the most of it. How Good Is a 1300 SAT Score? 1300 SAT to ACT Conversion Should You Retake the SAT?

SAT 52

SAT Testing Scholarships Extracurricular 52

AHM Advising

DECEMBER 3, 2024

The holiday season has arrived, midterms are around the corner, and admissions decisions for ED I will soon be released. If you applied Early Decision and are deferred, you are a competitive candidate for admission or you would have been denied. Some students choose an ED I plan as a strategy to increase their chances of admission.

Early Admission 89

Early Admission Admissions Early Decision Semester 89

Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 7, 2025

Standardized test scores, like the SAT and ACT, determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. While it may be beneficial to take both tests, this blog will answer the question, “Do you need both ACT and SAT for college? What Are the ACT and SAT? Do You Need Both ACT and SAT for College?

ACT 59

ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 59

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Cornell University is test-optional, but not for long. For Fall 2025 applicants, Cornell remains test-optional, giving students the choice to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, this policy will change for Fall 2026 admissions, when standardized test scores will once again be required.

Testing 52

Testing Standardized Testing SAT GPA 52

UGA Undergraduate Admissions Q & A

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Offers of Admission: 5,350+ In-State offers -This is somewhat more than last year’s admitted numbers, as our In-State EA applicant pool has grown and was very strong. I have a previous blog post on how admissions calculates the UGA GPA for your reference. EA application numbers are 14.6% Mid 50% Admitted Average GPA: 4.18-4.43

In-State 127

In-State GPA Out-of-State Transcripts 127

Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. For decades, standardized tests have been central to the college admissions process. Columbia, however, is the first Ivy League school to drop the SAT/ACT requirement permanently.

ACT 130

ACT SAT Testing Standardized Testing 130

Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. For decades, standardized tests have been central to the college admissions process. Columbia, however, is the first Ivy League school to drop the SAT/ACT requirement permanently.

ACT 130

ACT SAT Testing Standardized Testing 130

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

Not everyone feels confident when it comes to taking tests. You’re not alone— around 40 to 60% of high school students experience test anxiety, a type of stress that makes it tough to focus and perform well during exams. As a high school student, you’re probably no stranger to big tests like AP exams, the PSAT, or the SAT and ACT.

Testing 52

Testing Standardized Testing SAT Policies 52

Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Taking the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a great way to familiarize yourself with standardized testing, determine your strengths and weaknesses, and qualify for scholarships. The PSAT is also considered a predictive test in that it can inform how well you’ll perform on the SAT without any additional prep. WHAT IS THE PSAT?

PSAT 101

PSAT Standardized Testing SAT Academic Tutors 101

HelloCollege

MARCH 13, 2025

Navigating the world of college admissions tests can feel like deciphering an enigmatic code, especially when trying to decide between the SAT and the ACT. Both tests play a pivotal role in college admissions, serving as a benchmark for assessing a student’s readiness for college-level work.

ACT 52

ACT SAT Standardized Testing Test Prep 52

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

If you’re preparing for college admissions, you’ve probably wondered how your ACT or SAT score stacks up. million students in the class of 2023 took the SAT at least once, up from 1.7 million test-takers for the same cohort (ACT). Why Does ACT vs. SAT Score Conversion Matter? What Is the SAT Conversion Table?

ACT 52

ACT SAT Ivy League Extracurricular 52

HelloCollege

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Learning how to score higher on the SAT and ACT isnt just about studying harderits about studying smarter. And part of that is knowing how each test is scored. The way each test is structured means that strategy plays a big role in your final results, especially given the shift towards the digital SAT and the new changes to the ACT.

ACT 70

ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 70

Berkeley² Academy

MARCH 8, 2025

The 2024-2025 college admissions season is coming to a close. UT Austin continues to smash admissions records It was a huge year for UT Austin and other Texas schools. Over 90,000 students applied for Fall 2025 admission, compared to 72,885 students the previous year.

Admissions 52

Admissions Standardized Testing Policies SAT 52

Top Tier Admissions

JUNE 4, 2024

In this ever-changing college admissions landscape, the role of standardized testing remains a hot topic (and source of confusion). Understanding how these tests fit into the broader admissions process can help demystify their purpose and highlight strategies you can use to enhance your applications.

Standardized Testing 97

Standardized Testing PSAT Testing Test Prep 97

Top Tier Admissions

JUNE 7, 2024

Stanford will reintroduce standardized testing requirements for undergraduate admissions starting in fall 2025 for admission to the Class of 2030. For rising seniors (students applying in fall 2024), Stanford will remain test-optional.

Standardized Testing 126

Standardized Testing Testing Ivy League Financial Aid 126

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 11, 2025

That shows the admissions team that you’re ready for college-level work. The personal insight questions are a big part of your application, and this is your chance to show UC Davis who you are beyond just your GPA and test scores. No need to worry about test scores and recommendation letters! Nail the essays.

Acceptance 98

Acceptance Waitlist Admissions Transfer 98

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 23, 2025

One of the big questions that might be swirling around in your head is: Is Duke test-optional? Well, lucky for you, this blog is here to break it down in a way thats easy to understand and helpful as you navigate the admissions process. And if youve taken both the SAT and ACT, they will consider your best score from either exam.

Testing 52

Testing Early Decision SAT Letters of Recommendation 52

Admissions Village

DECEMBER 1, 2022

Earlier this month, when we were at the IECA National Fall Conference, many admissions directors confirmed that grade inflation is real. The director of admissions at Cal Tech mentioned that today’s 4.0 The admissions directors also mentioned that students have some fundamental gaps in their learning. Try to listen if you can.

Testing 169

Testing SAT Letters of Recommendation ACT 169

Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 23, 2024

Applications for freshman admission increased 24.3% SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score. ENROLL NOW UT AUSTIN SHAKE-UP Despite the return of a standardized testing requirement for applicants that began this cycle, UT Austin saw a third consecutive year of record-breaking application numbers.

Waitlist 97

Waitlist Standardized Testing Out-of-State Higher Education 97

HelloCollege

JANUARY 21, 2025

When planning for college , standardized test scores still stand out as one of the most important factors in applying to college. But one of the most common questions is, “How much does ACT/SAT tutoring cost?” How Much Does ACT/SAT Tutoring Cost?

ACT 52

ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 52

Great College Advice

JANUARY 7, 2025

As we laid out back in August , your junior year is the most important year in preparing for college admissions from an academic standpoint as it is the last full year of grades that colleges will see as they review your college application and it will likely be your most rigorous year of classes with AP, Honors and/or IB courses.

Semester 61

Semester High School Admissions Letters of Recommendation 61

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

With such a competitive admissions process, only the most exceptional applicants secure a spot. In this blog, well break down what Carnegie Mellons acceptance rate really means, how it has evolved over time, and what you can do to boost your chances of admission. But dont worry! Getting into Carnegie Mellon is tougher than ever.

Acceptance 63

Acceptance Waitlist Admissions Ivy League 63

AdmissionSight

MARCH 3, 2025

Its not part of the Ivy League, but its admissions process is just as intense. For the Class of 2028 , NYU set a record-low acceptance rate of just 8%, out of a massive pool of over 118,000 applicants in a single admission round. With thousands dreaming of becoming a Violet, the admissions process is bound to be intense.

Acceptance 59

Acceptance Ivy League Waitlist Admissions 59

Excelsior Admissions Consulting

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Breaking Down the Score Report Like the SAT, the PSAT has two sections: Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math. The PSAT is scored out of 1520 (while a perfect score on the SAT is 1600). If the student hasn’t chosen between the ACT and SAT, the PSAT score can be useful in determining which test the student should prepare for and take.

PSAT 85

PSAT SAT Scholarships Standardized Testing 85

CTK College Coach

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Where are CTK Class of 2025 students gaining admission in the early rounds this year? Regular Decision, Early Action, Rolling Admissions, Early Decision. Send any updated SAT or ACT test scores, if applicable. Which colleges are requiring test scores again? We are celebrating these early wins with our students!

Early Decision 81

Early Decision Admissions Letters of Recommendation Ivy League 81

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 14, 2025

In this article, well unpack why MIT doesnt consider legacy admissions, explore some stats (like the MIT Common Data Set and MIT deferral rates), and share tips on how to crush your MIT application. MIT is one of the few elite institutions that doesnt have legacy admissions because it holds steadfast to a meritocratic admissions process.

Admissions 52

Admissions Ivy League Waitlist GPA 52

Spark Admissions

JUNE 9, 2023

Is the new digital SAT good? Is the new digital SAT bad? As you may know, the SAT is in the process of transitioning to a new version of the test. The process has already begun internationally, and in Spring 2024, high school students in the United States will only have the option to take the new digital SAT.

SAT 130

SAT Standardized Testing Accommodations ACT 130