Standardized tests -- whether you love them because you score high or you hate them because you don't, they are a part of the college application process, so you have to deal with them.  This week is all about that -- dealing with them in a step-by-step process and then moving on.

Note:  Many, if not most of you, have already taken some of the required tests or have a schedule for when you are planning to take the required tests.  If you have your schedule, skip to Step 3.  If you don't have a schedule, start with Step 1. 

Step 1:  Decide which tests you are going to take.

Which Tests Are Required by the Colleges You Want to Attend? 

Generally speaking, colleges require either the ACT (including the writing portion) or the SAT.  In addition, most selective colleges require a certain number of SAT Subject Tests.  There are some colleges for whom tests are optional, but it is unlikely that the entire group of colleges to which you are applying will be testing optional, so there is REALLY no way to escape the tests.  To determine which tests you need to take and when, you need to review the requirements for the particular colleges that interest you.  You'll have to schedule with the most demanding set of requirements in mind.  If you aren't completely sure of your college list (we'll be working on that next week), then take the SAT and 3 SAT Subject Tests and you'll be prepared to apply anywhere.

Should I Take the ACT or the SAT?  There is a huge amount of literature that gives advice about whether to take the ACT or the SAT. See, for example, this posting by Charles on the Ivey Files. Although it might seem that you should take the test on which you expect to score best, I remind applicants that a higher score is meaningful only if it is statistically significant -- meaning that it changes your percentile standing with regard to other test takers, for example if it moves you from the top 25% to the top 20%.  But most times, it won't.  If the higher score isn't meaningful, then you really are better off with the SAT because: 

• The SAT is the norm; the ACT is the exception for all selective schools and most other schools except those in the Midwest and certain parts of the South.  Although the admissions officers and process can handle the exception, it is better to be part of the norm.  First, because the admissions officers know the norm better than the exception, they can make more nuanced interpretations of your score.  That is important for everyone but the "off the charts high" test takers -- in other words, 99% of applicants.  Second, because the formulas that some colleges use to calculate an "indexed academic rating" that combines your scores and grades are normed to the SAT, you don't lose from the conversion.  If you have an ACT, then the score is converted and usually that is to the detriment of the applicant, e.g. the high scorer on the ACT will be at the bottom of the high scorer tier as a result of the conversion.
• At some schools, you can "mix and match" your best scores from different SAT tests, but that opportunity is not extended to those who take the ACT.  If you take your best score on each subsection, you may end up with a much higher overall score.  Note that the new ScoreChoice policy for the SAT does not allow you to mix and match; you still have to release all scores for any particular test.

Which SAT Subject Tests Should You Take? 

Your choices will in part be dictated by which courses you have had in high school and which tests you are prepared to take.  If you can choose amongst several, here are a couple of guidelines for you:

• Choose those tests that showcase your particular interests.  If you write your essay about how you are a born "scientist," it is nice to back it up with a high score on a science test. 
• Choose the tests that showcase either depth or breadth.  If depth, choose tests aligned within one area of talent, like humanities (one English, one History, one Language).  If breadth, choose from at least one from humanities (English/History/Language) and one from Math/Science.  Your third is up to you.

Step 2:  Schedule your tests and get registered. 

Now that you know which tests you are going to take, you can make your testing schedule.  Basically, you have between now and the December test dates to get all your tests taken.  If you are an early decision applicant, you have a shorter time line -- you have to get all the tests done by the October testing dates.  If you are a regular decision applicant, you may find some of your chosen schools will accept scores from the February tests, but that will mean you are in the last round of admissions.  You don't want to be in the last round -- there will be fewer slots to go around -- unless circumstances mean you will be a much stronger overall applicant in the last round than you would have been in the earlier rounds.  It is preferable that you take your subject tests as close to the time when you finish the related course work, so it may be that the December dates are your best time for these tests because you are studying the subject in the first term of your senior year.

Put your testing dates on your master calendar (from Week 1) and look up the registration deadlines and put those on your master calendar too.

• SAT Registration:  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html
  
  
• ACT Registration:  http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html
  
  
• SAT Subject Tests Registration:  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII.html

By the way, the time to register is NOW.  Regular registration is already over for the October SAT and SAT Subject Tests; late registration closes on September 23, 2009.  Regular registration closes for the October ACT on September 18, 2009; late registration closes on October 2, 2009.

Step 3:  Commit to a preparation method that matches your best studying style. 

Preparation makes a difference -- even for the natural test takers and best students.  What's interesting is that the research indicates that the method of preparation is less important than the fact of it.  So choose a method that works for you and then in the immortal words of Nike -- Just Do It! 

• If you are a SELF-DIRECTED type, then you'll do fine with self-directed preparation, working with the materials available online, workbooks from the testing services and other materials from commercial outlets, like flashcards.  (Need it free or at a low cost? Online is your best bet.  Start with the testing companies and www.Numbers2.com. Then explore others on your own.)
• If you are a SOCIAL type, then you'll do well working in a group either at your school or through a test prep course.  (Need it free or at a low cost?  Check out non-profit organizations that support getting under-resourced students into college -- they often provide scholarships and/or free courses.)
• If you need INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION, then a one-on-one tutor is probably best.  (Need it free or at a low cost? Check out tutoring services offered by local colleges or universities -- often there is someone who has worked for one of the test prep companies and is willing to do it free for the right student.)

Schedule yourself for prep sessions and mark them on your calendar (from Week 1).

Step 4:  Show up at the test ready to perform at your best. 

You need to be in top form on the day of the test.  That means observing the basics of good self-care.  Some "Mom-like" tips that will stand you in good stead:

• Eat a healthy breakfast.  (Fiery Hot Cheetos and Soda aren't in this category.)
• Take a healthy snack to eat during the breaks.
• Use exercise to burn off anxiety and get good sleep the week before the test.
• Go to sleep at a reasonable time the night before the test (and don't engage in "party" behavior in the early evening).
• Make sure you know where the test is going to be and give yourself plenty of time to get there.
• Assemble everything you need to take to the test the night before -- ID, admission ticket, pencils, snack, etc.
• Wear layers of clothing so you won't be hot or cold.

Step 5:  Cancel your score promptly if you know you did poorly AND you have another opportunity to take the test. 

If you know you did poorly because you took the test while ill or froze during the test or some other calamity befell you, cancel the score if you have another opportunity to take the test.  Otherwise, you'll have to explain away a low score.  The fewer things to explain the better.  You may elect to cancel your score on the SAT and SAT Subject Tests until the Wednesday following the test.  You may elect to cancel your score on the ACT until noon on the Thursday following the test.

Step 6:  Implement a strategic response to your scores. 

Done right, the college application process is strategic, and your response to all developments is determined by some thoughtful reflection and then intentional action.  Here are some suggestions about strategic responses once you get your scores.

What do your scores tell you about you? 

Hopefully, you scored basically as you expected.  If not, can you figure out why?  Possible answers may be poor preparation, unrealistic expectations, or undiagnosed learning disabilities.  Your strategic response is to take this learning about yourself and apply it the next time you test.

What do your scores tell you about your options for college? 

Hopefully, you scored high enough to be in the running at all of your chosen colleges, even the reach schools.  But you should be realistic now that you have the numbers.  Your strategic response is to align your list of colleges to your scores.  (More about this next week.)

What do your scores tell admissions officers about you? 

Admissions officers have lots of experience interpreting test scores, and the scores are signficant in their assessment of your academic abilities.  Want an inside take on what an admssions officer is thinking?

• If you have high scores and high grades, the officer thinks you are a classic academic achiever and strong candidate.  The officer hopes the rest of the application bears that out.
• If you have high scores, but mid-range/low grades, the officer thinks you might be an underachiever.  The officer is going to look closely at your grade trends, your teacher recommendations, and anything else that gives the officer information about whether the scores or the grades are more predictive of your performance at college.
• If you have mid-range/low scores and high grades, the officer thinks that you might be a good student but a bad test taker,  or you might be at school that inflates grades, or you might be taking a load that is not particularly challenging.  The officer is going to consider information about your school, your course load, your teacher recommendations, and anything else that gives the officer information about whether the scores or the grades are more predictive of your performance at college.
• If you have mid-range/low scores and mid-range/low grades, the officer at selective colleges thinks that your academic performance at college is likely to be the same, so admission is likely only if your other attributes -- sports recruit, alumni connection, or under-represented minority -- overcome the lower academic rating.  Officers at less selective colleges may think the academics aren't stellar, but are sufficient for admission.

Informed by this insight into what an admission officer thinks about your scores, your strategic response is to make sure the other components of your application either support the positive interpretation the officer will make, or give the officer reason to believe that the best possible interpretation is the right interpretation. 

Step 7:  Move On. 

Testing is just one aspect of the process.  If you've scheduled, prepared, and are ready to make a strategic response once you get your scores, that's it for testing.  Time to move on to the next critical step in the process -- making your final list of colleges where you will be applying.  We'll take it up together next week.

Comments or Questions? 

I really want to hear from you about how things are going.  Anything you don't understand? Do you have a specific situation that needs some personalized attention?  Please post a comment below!

Alison Cooper Chisolm has worked in admissions at Southern Methodist University, the University of Chicago, and most recently Dartmouth College. She is a graduate of Yale College and the University of Virginia Law School. As part of the Ivey Consulting team, Alison works with college applicants and their families as they navigate the college admissions process. Read more about Alison here.