Test Prep Update
The landscape of standardized testing in college admission has undergone significant changes over the years. Thirty years ago, the SAT was the most common standardized test beyond the Midwest and the SAT was the test used by the majority of Blake students. Since that time, colleges have embraced the ACT as an equal to the SAT. In fact, colleges across the nation not only accept each test equally, but many colleges accept the ACT in lieu of a combination of the SAT and Subject Tests. Nationally, we have also seen an increase in the number of “test optional” colleges which means they do not require standardized testing for admission. In response to these changes, the Blake College Counseling Office has long advised students to sit for both the ACT and SAT and submit the best score to colleges, whether ACT or SAT.
The increase in ACT test takers nationally has continued steadily, and for the first time this year, more students across the country took the ACT than the SAT. Blake students have followed the national trends with more students choosing to focus on the ACT as their preferred test. After carefully considering these trends, the needs of our students and asking for student feedback, we have made the decision to change Blake’s test prep class from a focus on the SAT to a focus on preparation for the ACT. While a certain amount of the prep is applicable to either test, the primary focus will be on the ACT beginning in the fall of 2013 and we will also add two weeks of preparation of PSAT. We are excited about this change and believe it to be in the best interest of our students.
In addition to changing the focus of our Test Prep class, we are cutting back the dates the SAT is offered at Blake and are exploring the addition of an ACT test administration. We will publish more information about the results of our research as it becomes available.
Also, any Blake students and parents considering PSAT, ACT, SAT Reasoning or SAT Subject Test preparation this summer are welcome to contact the College Counseling Office for recommendations.