How to Choose Your ACT & SAT Goal
Choosing your ACT or SAT goal score can be a daunting task. The test itself is already intimidating. It seems to have so many consequences for a student’s education and future. It can affect your college admissions and scholarship opportunities. It's essential to set a realistic and achievable goal score that aligns with your target schools and individual needs. Here are a few tips to help you navigate this process:
Consider Your Target Schools
The first and most important factor in choosing your ACT/SAT goal score is your target schools. Honestly, it’s one of the most important things. This is the first thing I tell families. The best plan of attack is to research the schools you are interested in attending and find out their ACT/SAT score range. You can actually Google this information for most schools. Most schools give this information in what is called an interquartile range (IQR), which represents the middle 50% of accepted students' scores. It’s a best practice to aim for the top of the IQR to increase your chances of admission.
Lastly, consider this information with a student’s GPA and their extracurriculars you’ll have a much clearer picture about what your student needs to be at their most competitive.
Use the SCOIR College Network
Another great resource to consider when determining a student’s likelihood for admission into a school is the SCOIR College Network. This platform, which can be used by students, parents, and counselors, allows you to see where you stand compared to recent applicants. You can view the average ACT/SAT scores of students who were accepted, waitlisted, or denied admission to your target schools. Use this information to set a realistic goal score that aligns with your individual needs and target schools.
For more information about SCOIR, here is a Vimeo video of the set-up process. Note: This video was no prepared by Ellyn The Tutor, but an outside service.
Avoid Setting Unrealistic Goals
It's important to remember that you should not set a goal that you don't actually need. Sometimes students get an idea in their head about a certain score—”I want a perfect score!”. Then, there entire test preparation process consists of them beating themselves up for not achieving a score they didn’t even need in the first place.
Remember that your goal score should be based on your individual needs and target schools. Avoid setting goals that are too high or too low. Setting a goal that is too low may limit your admissions and scholarship opportunities, while setting a goal that is too high may cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Be Prepared to Adjust Your Goals
It's essential to be prepared to adjust your goals if necessary. If your practice test scores are not improving as expected, consider adjusting your goal score. I’m personally a believer that any student can receive any score on the SAT or the ACT. It’s all about how long they’re willing to prepare. So, make sure you give yourself an adequate time timeline, especially if you’re planning on making an improvement that’s substantial (200+ points on the SAT, 10+ on the ACT).
Be realistic and don't be too hard on yourself. Remember that your ACT/SAT score is just one of many factors that colleges consider when making admissions decisions.
By following these tips, you can set a realistic and achievable ACT or SAT goal score that will help you on your path to college success. Remember to stay focused, work hard, and stay positive.
