If You Struggle with Standardized Tests, Read This.
At the beginning of every academic year, high school students all over the country return to campus motivated, and eager. As the year goes on, tension begins to build. Why? Because standardized tests are slowly approaching. The two most common standardized tests that are administered to high school students are the ACT and SAT. Both exams are weighed heavily in an incoming college student’s application.
The preparation process for these exams is different for every student. Some students may run to a bookstore and pick up the latest prep book a month before their test date. For others, the study process begins years in advance. This can come from a variety of services which include tutoring, specific preparation classes, and online courses. Every student (and their families) want to achieve the highest score possible, and for good reason. From the moment a student enters high school, they are told that these standardized tests will make or break their futures. Several schools continuously send the message that “If you fail this test, you will be a failure.” Many high schools use their students’ scores on these exams as a badge of honor in the student-recruiting process as well. In 2014, a Kentucky high school was even penalized for an ACT cheating scandal. Teachers were helping students gain an unfair advantage on the exam. This should help emphasize the importance schools put on these exams. I felt this pressure in the weeks leading to my first ACT attempt.
I was a junior in high school when I took my first shot at the ACT exam. I had participated in a fair amount of studying beforehand and felt confident going in. I had a high level of test anxiety as I sat and prepared to take the biggest exam of my life (or so I thought). After 3 hours, it was over. In the weeks that followed, every one of my classmates were getting anxious. The hallways were filled with the echoes of students.
“Do you know what you scored yet?”
“When do you think I will see my score?”
“Once we get the scores, we need to celebrate!”
Eventually, the results came in and it was not looking good for me. For those who do not fully understand how the ACT is scored, I will describe it in brief. The ACT has four sections which include: Math, English, Reading, and Science. Every student receives a score ranging from 1-36 on each section. The average score of the 4 sections combined makes-up the students' composite score, which is also somewhere between 1-36. I received a composite of score of 18. This put in the 36th percentile, which is not ideal. My worst subject was math, where I scored a 16. English was my best. On that section of the exam, I scored a 21.
Sitting at the top of my college list, was the University of Louisville. The minimum composite score they would allow for incoming freshman was a 21. From my junior to senior year of high school I attempted the ACT exam two more times. Unfortunately, I kept the same composite score. I was devasted. When I told my friends and classmates about my poor attempts, I received a mix of empathy and judgment.
“You only scored an 18? Good luck….”
” What schools can you get into with that score?”
Everyone was looking at me as an incompetent failure. Including the universities that I applied to.
I thought for sure I would get into college. I may not have had the best ACT score, but I held a GPA of 3.8. I was a member of school clubs including the National Honor Society, and BETA club. Both clubs hold a very high academic standard. I was also a 4-year athlete who participated in multiple sports. Surely the universities would consider these factors too. There was no way that this one test would be the sole indicator of my true academic potential, right? I was wrong.
I applied at 3 universities, including the University of Louisville. They all told me the same thing. I could get accepted into these schools. But my first two semesters would be all remedial classes, that would not go toward my degree. To put remedial classes in perspective, every college freshman starts with “College Algebra 101.” Remedial math class would be the equivalent to “College Algebra 100.” You must pass remedial to get into the regular class. These Universities wanted me to take remedial classes for English, Math, Science, and Reading. This sent a very strong message. It was clear these schools would allow me in the door, but they did not have much faith in my ability to succeed. This is where a lot of students get stuck. When everyone is telling you what you cannot do it can become attached to your identity. It would have been so easy for me to look at this situation and feel like a victim. I could have accepted that my potential was limited. But I had seen adversity before, and I knew I was capable of so much more.
After giving it a lot of thought, I chose a different option. I opted to attend a small community college that would allow me to earn an associate degree, and then transfer to a larger university. Every day that I stepped on that community college campus I carried a large chip on my shoulder. I wasn’t just there to earn a grade. I wanted to let everyone know that you can be a successful college student without being an “all-star” on the ACT. I graduated from community college with a 3.7 GPA, and I was set to finish my last two years at the University of Louisville. I would pursue a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
At the University of Louisville, I succeeded in all my classes. I had the pleasure of graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors and finishing my journey with a cumulative GPA of 3.75. In the classes directly associated with my major, I earned a 4.0 GPA. This put me around the top 10% of my graduating class. Four years earlier, the higher-education system had told me that I wasn’t going to be able to succeed. This system told me I was only capable of completing remedial-level courses. This was the system that put too much faith in a poor ACT score, instead of looking at the student overall. I believe that this scenario plays out all around the country. I believe some students may not score the highest on standardized tests but have the work ethic and drive to succeed at any university.
Today I am a Graduate Assistant at The University of Memphis, receiving a full academic scholarship. I am pursuing a master’s degree In Sports Administration. I currently have a 3.7 GPA and I have no plans of letting my foot off the gas. I often remind myself that I am not supposed to be here. I scored so poorly on the ACT that colleges wanted nothing to do with me. High school friends and classmates treated me like I was a letdown and made me feel as if I wouldn’t amount to much. Any rejection that you encounter during this journey will sting at first. If you channel it positively, it can be a key part of your long-term success.
For high school students, there are some steps you can take to set yourself up for success on your journey to college.
First, address the academic weaknesses that may set you backward on a standardized test. You can identify these weaknesses by taking practice ACT/SAT exams. Also, reach out to your teachers. Many of them will be willing to help you prepare and provide you with feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. They see your work more than anyone else and will have a good idea of what areas you should address. Once you have your strengths and weaknesses listed, begin to research tools that will help you improve. The internet can serve as a great tool for things like this. There are hundreds of tutoring videos on the web that use modern technology to make complex concepts more digestible for all students. Once you choose which study resources you are going to use, make a schedule! Make time each day to practice exam questions, or to study concepts that confuse you. If you use these tools and practice 30 minutes-1 hour per day for a series of weeks and months, you will likely see an improvement to your test scores.
Secondly, address test anxiety. Test anxiety is a psychological condition that can negatively impact a student’s test performance due to increased levels of test-day stress. Many students with test anxiety can take themselves out of the game before it even starts. This happens because they are not used to working against a clock, or struggle dealing with the pressure that comes with standardized testing. If you can relate to this, there are some things you can do. I would recommend taking as many practice exams as you can. During these practice sessions, make sure your environment replicates the actual testing environment. Replicate as many details as you can. The type of pencil you will use, the type of desk you will be seated at, etc. If you already know what kind of environment to expect, you will not have as many details to stress about on test day. If you struggle with severe test anxiety it will be beneficial to research meditation and breathing techniques that can be used to help lower stress during your exam.
Third, make a list of your top college choices and research what standardized test scores they want you to have. This will help you with personal goal setting. If your dream school wants you to score a 27 on the ACT, write that down. Write it somewhere that you will see it every day. For some people, this is the bathroom mirror, refrigerator, or right next to their bed. Seeing your goal every day will help to keep you accountable and motivate you to study on the days that you aren’t feeling it.
Finally, give your best effort! Yes, I achieved academic success with a low-test score, but at the same time, it made my path a little less clear and doubtful at times. If you have an upcoming exam that you can prepare for and dominate, do it! It will make your journey a little bit smoother than mine. That isn’t a bad thing at all! I would have loved to achieve a successful score on my exam and have a smooth transition into college, but it didn’t work out that way. I encourage you to lay it all out on the table. Put every ounce of effort into your preparation. This might require late nights, long study sessions, and less time with friends or family. Understand that this is temporary and that you’re playing the “Long-game.” Sacrifice now for what you want later.
For those community college students who were told they weren’t good enough for the large universities, keep fighting. Carry the chip on your shoulder each day you walk in the classroom just like me. I poured every ounce of my effort into every class I took on a community college campus. This not only led to better course grades but also helped me develop the self-discipline that I carried with me when I finally got to the University of Louisville. If you truly feel as if you were overlooked by bigger schools, cruising through your classes achieving B’s and C’s will not send a statement. Fight every day to be the best student in your graduating class. You know you’re capable of so much more, so now show everyone else.
I am not a teacher, professor, or a member of an academic board. I am just a student who found my way out of a non-ideal situation. I am sharing my experiences to help a struggling student who may feel that their poor test scores ruined their future. Or a student who is contemplating applying to their dream school because they have been told they have no shot of succeeding there. No matter the situation, I want students to understand that if they do come up a bit short on the standardized exams, there are other roads to success.