Jordyn
Why does everyone have to take an act or sat to get into a college?
My I have been making all A’s & B’s since I’ve started school my GPA is a 3.8 as of now but I’ve never been a good test taker & now that ACT will affect the college I would like to attend because I didn’t score high enough. #high-school-classes #college #college-admissions #college-advice
5 answers
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Part of life is learning to excel in those things that are difficult for you to master. I have applied to various jobs that use testing as a screening tool - the testing dilemma does not end once you finish school! Sorry to say. . .
Why do colleges, and jobs, use tests? Because they think the test is an indicator of how well you will do. It also puts all candidates on a level field. Some schools grade easier, some are tougher. Is it fair to you to be up against someone who got a 4.0 at a school that gives easy grades? Absolutely not!
In taking these tests, the objective is to do the best you possibly can, without cheating. So, what to do? I would recommend re-taking it. But first, learn to understand test-taking strategies. I helped someone study for their military entrance exams, and they raised their score so much that the military made him re-take it, and fingerprinted him for identification purposes because they thought he had someone else taking the test for him!!!
If nothing has changed, the ACT does not penalize you for guessing, am I correct? If so, how do you decide what answer to give? Let's say you are looking at a question on French history, and you know absolutely nothing about French history. Don't waste time trying to figure it out - just mark an answer and move on! However, here is where you pick up some extra points. If you just mark any old answer, your odds of being correct are pretty slim. However, if every time you don't know the answer, if you pick the same letter each time, the odds are that about 10-15% of those answers will be correct! That is, for every answer you don't know, always mark "B."
Now, what if you can narrow it down to two possible answers, and neither one is B? Obviously, don't mark B! In these cases, I decide up front that I will always go with the answer that is furthest to the left? Why? No good reason. Other than it stops me from wasting time, once I come to the conclusion that I do not know the answer and cannot figure it out!
Also, if you are running out of time before you finish a section of the test, at the last minute, code all remaining unanswered questions with B (or whatever letter you selected to use for all unanswered questions). Again, 10-15% of them will be correct!
All of this assumes that you are already following the basic test-taking advice, as far as getting a good night's sleep and eating breakfast. You may also want to do something the previous day/night to burn off stress - go running or something. And try to avoid caffeine - it contributes to stress.
When you read a question, read it carefully, and pay attention to what it is asking. Math word problems can be especially tricky. Again, don't spend too much time on any one question.
If you need me to further explain why and how this guessing strategy works, let me know, and I will give you the detailed example I give my clients.
I really do recommend that you take it again!
Also, the schools often have some wiggle room on this, so, after taking it again, if your score is not where it needs to be, look at the school process, talk to a school recruiter, and see if there is room for exceptions.
Best of luck!
Kim
Richard A.
Richard’s Answer
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Are you curious about how the ACT can boost your chances of securing superior or additional scholarships?
Here's how:
High ACT Scores Open Scholarship Doors: Your ACT score is a key factor in college admissions. A high score can make you a standout candidate for scholarships offered by colleges and universities. Some institutions even provide academic scholarships specifically for students with impressive ACT scores.
ACT Scores and External Scholarships: A multitude of external entities, including local community groups, businesses, and national organizations, consider ACT scores when awarding scholarships. A stellar ACT score can enhance your chances of securing scholarships from these sources.
ACT Scores and Financial Aid: Your ACT score isn't just for scholarships. It can also influence the financial aid you receive. Certain financial aid programs, like the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), utilize ACT scores to determine eligibility and the amount awarded.
ACT Scores and Course Placement: A high ACT score can also pave the way for placement in advanced-level courses once you're enrolled in college. This could save you both time and money by bypassing remedial or lower-level classes.
ACT Scores and College Credit: Some colleges and universities offer college credit for high ACT scores. This could decrease the number of courses you need to take, saving you both time and money.
In summary, taking the ACT test can significantly boost your chances of securing superior or additional scholarships, given the pivotal role ACT scores play in college admissions, external scholarship awards, financial aid qualifications, course placement, and college credit.
Accuracy Probability: 95%
Stay blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Rachel Weinheimer
Rachel’s Answer
Taylor Hanzlik
Taylor’s Answer
Hi Jordyn, thanks for submitting a question! I think Kim has a great response that will help you tremendously and I agree with her. I was in the same situation as you when I was applying for scholarships. I had a similar GPA and I was not good at taking the ACT. I had no idea where I wanted to go to college, but I wanted a good education. If you're not able to improve your ACT score as Kim recommended some great tips, I would not fear! Believe it or not, there's actually some benefit to going to a college you didn't think would allow you to get a great job. I can tell you that wherever you go, your college experience will be what you make it.
I attended Ohio University, but it was not my first choice. However, when I arrived on campus, I quickly learned that I was a go-getter, still remaining in the top of my classes. I learned that I was going to be able to stand out so I joined multiple student organizations and gained executive roles on their executive boards. When it came time for the career fair at school, I stood out to recruiters and was a top candidate for many internships. There's pros and cons to going to an ivy league school, but there's also pros and cons to going to an average undergraduate school. Again, it's what you make of your college experience when you get there. As they say, "What ever you put in, you'll get out."
I hope this helps and best of luck to you!