Get Ready for a Retake
If your student wasn’t satisfied with initial ACT or SAT test results, now is the time to discuss retaking one or both tests. A higher score can make a difference in college admission and scholarship opportunities.
Why It Matters
- Higher scores result in academic scholarships.
An increase of only one or two points could be all that’s needed to receive acceptance into a favorite college or earn an academic or other merit-based scholarship. - Plan future coursework.
With both the ACT and SAT testing on high-level material in science and math, and only two semesters of high school remaining, it’s time to do some course-planning before future test dates. Your student might also consider enrolling in a college-level course during the summer to earn the college credit and experience college-level material. - Test-day anxiety may be relieved.
Your student’s anxiety might be somewhat alleviated now that a couple of tests are out of the way. Knowing what to expect helps reduce stress levels.
What Your Student Can Do Now
- Sign up for alerts and tips.
ACT offers an alert system that includes registration reminders, national test dates and tips. Your student should use the shorter — perhaps final — list of colleges to double-check how each school uses the scores from the test sections. The ACT Superscore is an average of the four best subject scores from each ACT test attempt. - Analyze test scores.
Both ACT and SAT offer the ability for students to dig deeper into their scores. For a fee, ACT’s Test Information Release provides a copy of the test questions, the student’s answers and the answer key. Their reference guide, Using Your ACT Results, is a helpful resource when reviewing scores. With SAT, your student can get free practice recommendations by linking their College Board and Khan Academy accounts. Khan Academy is a nonprofit online learning environment that partners with College Board.
What Your Student Can Do Later
- Consult with the school counselor.
Your student should check with the school counselor about local testing sites or if the school participates in district testing where the test is administered during regular school hours. - Assess skill levels.
College Board offers ACCUPLACER, which tests skill levels in reading, writing and math to determine readiness in a college-level course. Eligible scores can eliminate the need to take developmental courses in college. This ensures proper placement in certain courses while also saving your student tuition dollars and time toward earning a degree or certificate.
What You Can Do
- Offer your help.
Help your student find ways to include the additional test prep in their typical routine. If a job, an activity or household chores compete with that time, offer suggestions about reducing work hours or having another family member temporarily take on additional responsibilities. - Consider hiring a coach.
If your family finances allow for it, consider using a coach or supplemental educational service to fine-tune your student’s knowledge and test-taking skills.
Next Steps
Be sure to complete the survey questions at the end of this article to be entered into the 529 deposit giveaway!
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