The Importance of High School Grades and Standardized Tests

If you are in high school, your teachers, parents and counselors have continuously harped on the importance of grades and standardized test scores. Their advice can easily go in one ear and out the other. Yet while you may want to ignore them, they are correct about the significance of high school exams and GPA.

Admissions

Because grades are so important, you can't slack during your freshman or senior years. Your ninth and 10th grade classes should be prerequisites that you need for the more advanced courses.

Your junior year is arguably the most significant. That’s because 11th grade features the last full year of classes the college admissions officers will see. You need to do well in these classes but also should challenge yourself with a difficult course load. This will prove to colleges that you are ready to handle more advanced work.

Even after you are accepted to college, you can't start playing hooky and failing classes. Universities can rescind your admission if your grades significantly drop your senior year.

Of course, colleges can't only rely on GPA when deciding which students to admit. That’s because high school grading systems often vary widely. Standardized tests allow admission officers to compare applications side by side.

While some schools have devalued SAT and ACT test scores in recent years, they are still a major part of the admission process. One recent study found that more than 82 percent of colleges believe standardized test scores are an important factor.

You thus need to perform well on the ACT or SAT in order to get into college. While some have questioned the value of attending university, studies show that college graduates in every state still earn more than those without at least a bachelor's degree.

Save Money

High test scores and grades don’t just help you get into colleges, either. They can even help you save money once you get there. Several organizations offer scholarships based primarily on their PSAT, SAT or ACT scores. The National Merit Program is one of the most famous test-based scholarships. It gives $2,500 to students who do well on their NMSQT or PSAT exams.

High grades can also help you get into organizations such as the National Honors Society. Admission into these groups can improve your chances of getting a scholarship. You also need to get certain scores on the ACT or SAT in order to play college sports and earn athletic scholarships.

Certain schools additionally offer merit-based scholarships to those who excel on the ACT or SAT. You can contact the schools themselves or search online for more on these awards.

The financial benefits of high test scores don’t stop there. Some standardized tests even give students college credits. If you learned a certain skill through a job or internship, you can take UExcel or College-Level Examination Program tests. Those who do well can get university credits without having to spend money on a college course.

College Preparation

Tests such as the SAT and ACT aren’t designed to torture you. They are meant to test whether you have the tools necessary to succeed in college. Your SAT or ACT test prep can thus help you own these skills. For instance, in your initial freshman-year classes, you will likely have to take exams that have a standardized-test format.

College admission exams also test your ability to analyze an argument, which is necessary to understand complex readings. The reading comprehension sections of the SAT and ACT also prepare you for college tests that require you to answer questions about a novel or short story.

Your high school grades and standardized test performance can greatly affect your future. The higher your GPA and ACT/SAT score, the better your chances of getting into a good college. This, in turn, will help you get a higher-paying job once you graduate.

Standardized tests can also lead to scholarships and prepare you for college-level coursework. You should prepare for them rigorously and enlist the help of tutors if necessary.