SAT’s and ACT’s are one of the many things that causes stress for high schoolers. These tests are offered seven times a year, depending on the students’ area of interest. Students who have taken the tests this semester should be getting their scores back now.

Adam Weiler, a high school senior, got his scores from the College Board and did well enough to successfully use them to help gain acceptance letters from the colleges and universities of his choice. Those schools included Northwestern, Colorado University in Boulder, Indiana University and Purdue University. Weiler, like many high school seniors, took SAT prep classes that were offered through his school. However, he thinks the test is not a good reflection of his high school career–that GPA and extracurricular activities are a better indicator of his potential success in college. The ‘test optional’ trend that some top schools are implementing, is something Weiler favors.

In a related matter, AP exams are other tests that students take if they are in AP classes during their high school years. Those exams can help students receive more scholarship opportunities, and help them test out of certain subjects when they get to college. Recent findings reveal AP exams are soon to be more expensive for students with tighter deadlines, leaving students with less time to prepare.

Taking these tests provide students with different opportunities for scholarships within the school of their choice and even with other organizations. Weiler feels he participated and did so much throughout high school that he wished he could share with his college choices. It’s hard to put four years of hard work in a short college application.