SAT Test Prep Courses Can Be Costly But Valuable

By Rebecca Green


The prospect of sitting for college admission tests dominates the lives of many ambitious high school students. They know from an early age that they will need to get really good scores if they have ambitions to gain admission to a top college or university. Unfortunately, many students feel as if they cannot handle the pressure their parents and teachers exert in this respect. Perhaps that is why so many students spend money on SAT test prep courses.

Many students that have no ambition to go to college do not realize that they do not have to sit for the tests. In fact, many colleges and universities do not require their applicant to submit their results. Ivy league universities, however, and many top employers, insist on excellent results and will not consider applications from students that have not sat for the tests or that performed poorly.

Good scores in these tests have always been seen as a sign of an excellent future awaiting just off stage. However, students need to keep in mind that even the most prestigious universities use the scores as only one factor taken into consideration when evaluating applicants. Other factors, such as community involvement, a record of participating in school activities, leadership roles and many others are also considered seriously before an admission decision is made.

Many students make the mistake of assuming that only super bright students can attain excellent scores. This is not the case. The purpose of these tests is not to test intelligence or aptitude. It does not test general knowledge either. It tests those main areas of competency that is deemed vital for a successful college career. These areas are critical reading, mathematics and writing skills.

Another common mistake is to think that these tests are designed and administered by the government or educational authorities. This is not the case. It is wholly owned by the College Board, a not for profit organization that involves itself in various educational matters. In fact, the College Board offer numerous other tests and many students sit for them too because they do test the knowledge level of a student in a very specific field.

Students still sit for the tests during their senior year at school, but not exclusively so. There is no rule prohibiting someone in his junior year from enrolling. Many students do so because there is not a limit on the number of times one may sit for them. Juniors therefore often see their first try as a test run. If the results are not as expected, the tests can always be repeated during the next year.

The College Board view their own guidelines as sufficient for preparation purposes. Nevertheless, numerous students enrol for a special course, or purchase additional tutoring materials. This can be a costly affair. When enrolling for a course, it is vital to make sure it is properly accredited and presented by a reputable educational expert.

College admission tests are still deemed as very important. However, they should not be deemed as the alpha and omega of a successful college career. They are, in fact, just one of many other factors that can play an important role in lifelong success.




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