SAT...More than Just a Test?

The fall season offers so many activities to which we all look forward.  Football games, pumpkin spice lattes, homecoming, SATs.  Wait…..SATs?  So maybe we aren’t exactly looking forward to that particular element of the fall, but it is important to be prepared for it and to understand what it does and does not mean.

For many, many years, students have dreaded the SAT and at some point it came to be viewed as the end all and be all of acceptance into college.  While the SAT is an important element to your college process, it is just that, ONE element.  At Notre Dame of Maryland University, your SAT scores are not the embodiment of you.  We use it as just one tool that allows us to get to know you.  You will read about and hear us discuss “minimum” and “average” scores, but please know that we look at more than just the score that is sent to us.

In the months and weeks ahead of the test (maybe even during your junior year!), be sure to take some time to prepare yourself.  Purchase an SAT prep book, use the practice tests to determine your strengths and weaknesses.  If your school offers an SAT prep class, use that as an opportunity to prepare yourself.  Learning about the kinds of questions to expect and the timing of the test will provide you with a sense of comfort and preparedness that will undoubtedly calm your nerves. 

At Notre Dame of Maryland, we suggest students take the SATs two to three times, and possibly even the ACT. In taking the test multiple times, your scores are likely to increase thus providing the best possible scores for your application.  Once we receive your scores from each test session you completed, we will work with your “super score,” which means that we will take your best math score (maybe from your second round of testing) and your best verbal score (maybe from your first round of testing) and combine those two to create your “super score” and work from there. 

During your school research, it is important to be aware of the minimum scores each institution requires for acceptance and what they indicate is the average score for their accepted students.  This information will help you to figure out your testing goals and practice needs.  It is also important for you to work closely with your admissions counselor as you go through the testing sessions.  Be sure to let her, or him, know about your current scores, your plans for future testing sessions and any issues you are encountering.

What matters the most with the SAT is that you are prepared and focused.  These qualities, along with a great night of sleep and a breakfast of champions, will help you find the success you have been working toward. 

Upcoming SAT test sessions: December 1, 2012; and January 26, 2013.