Invest in the Tests

Bernadette Bechta: Blackboard Basics

In the spring, students feel the anxiety of testing. Some students are preparing for the Advanced Placement (AP) tests in various subjects while others are preparing to take the SATs/ACTs for the first time as a junior. The SAT Subject tests are also taken in the spring and are required at about 150 colleges around the country. What do all these tests mean for the prospective college applicant?

Let’s start with the AP test. If you are enrolled in an AP class, an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, or if you are taking a rigorous Honors class and study from an AP test book, you should consider taking the spring tests. A score of 4 or 5 at many schools could yield college credit. If you calculate the internal rate of return on this $75.00 investment (cost of the test), you could realize quite a return on this investment. Having a course or two “on the bench” as a reserve could help you as you meet graduation requirements with a busy baseball schedule. An individual course at college ranges from $1000 to $5000. That’s a good call for any high school student. If you are successful in these classes and perform well on the tests, this is a good indicator to a college that you are well trained and capable of college work.

I often receive questions from parents about the SAT vs. the ACT. Let’s compare them. The SAT test lasts approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes and includes an essay. The essay is scored by two or more readers who grade your essay from 2-12 with 12 being the highest score. Practice and preparation can help your score on the SAT test and random guessing will penalize you. The maximum score for the SAT is 2400 with a grade for Math, Critical Reading, and Writing and a separate score for the essay. The recommended strategy is to take the test two or three times. The College Board publishes a book, The Official SAT Study Guide for the New SAT, which has eight practice tests. It is a good study tool.

The ACT is well known in the Midwest and the South. It has sections in Math, Reading, English, Science Reasoning and an Optional Essay. The maximum score is 36 and the essay is scored on the same scale as the SAT from 2-12. The test lasts 3 hours without an essay and 3 hours 45 minutes including the essay. There is no penalty for random guessing. The ACT has traditionally been known as more content-oriented than the SAT. The questions are linked more to the high school curriculum than to critical thinking and problem solving. Check with your Guidance Office for preferences at individual schools.

Finally, if some of the selective colleges on your list require the SAT Subject tests, consider taking them in May/June as you finish a class. The test consists of three one-hour tests. These are content-based tests, designed to measure a student’s mastery of a specific subject. Test prep books and software programs can help with preparation. New research shows that these tests are a better indicator of academic success than the traditional SAT because they are directly related to curriculum.

As you can see, testing is an entire subject in itself. The expression "No Pain, No Gain" applies here as you prepare for all of these tests. Your time and effort could yield you great returns. The Dean of Admissions at Rollins College gave a candid response to the question, “How much do tests count?” He said, “At most institutions, standardized test scores count less than students think and more than colleges are willing to admit.” However, keep in mind that testing is only one part of the evaluation process. Your GPA, extracurricular activities, special talents, and service are also important. For more information, check out College Board or ACT.


Bernadette Bechta serves as the main academic contact for all players and parents in Baseball Factory's Exclusive Program. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher and advisor at the high school level, Bernadette will provide families with guidance on topics ranging from application essays to financial aid. In addition, Bernadette’s two sons have both gone through the Exclusive Program so she knows the ins and outs of the process from a parent’s perspective.