New Orleans Guide to High School and Beyond 2018

COLLEGE
READINESS
WHY SHOULD I BE
THINKING ABOUT
COLLEGE?
34
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS
College entrance exams are standardized tests that help colleges and
universities evaluate students’ college readiness. Essentially, they
tell colleges and universities how prepared a student is to succeed
in college. The great thing about standardized tests is that they
allow admissions officers to compare students with widely differing
backgrounds.
For example, let’s take a group of students who earn the same grade
in their Algebra classes – let’s say an A. These students are from
different high schools and different states, use different books, have
different teachers, and take different tests. Because of the differences,
it is possible for there to be a great disparity in the level of mastery of
the subject area among the students. Even within the same school, an
A from one teacher may not represent the same level of knowledge
as an A from another teacher.
You’re probably wondering, “Why do I need to be thinking
about college when I’m just in middle school?” The truth
is if you plan to attend college, one of the most important
factors to consider is whether or not your high school will
adequately prepare you to get into and succeed in college.
When asked about the number one factor in admissions, colleges
overwhelmingly say it’s a rigorous high school curriculum. A
strong college-prep curriculum is by far the best predictor of
initial college success, and one that will keep you out of remedial
courses freshman year.
• ACT, SAT?
• AP Courses?
• Honors Courses?
• Dual Enrollment?
However, a particular score on a standardized test – let’s say a 24 on
the ACT – means the same thing whether it was earned by a student
at a private school in New York, a public school in New Orleans, or a
home-schooled student in rural Idaho. Because standardized tests
measure the same skills and are given in the same manner for every
student, they are perceived as being fairer than non-standardized
tests and to be a more reliable comparison of how students will
perform.
There are several types of tests colleges and universities consider
when accepting students. Two of the most frequently used exams
are the ACT and the SAT.