For many high school students, the SAT is more than another standardized test. It can be one piece of a college application, a way to demonstrate academic preparation, and a useful benchmark for identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
At the same time, the role of standardized testing in college admissions has changed significantly. Some colleges and universities are test-optional or have different testing policies, so students should always check the current requirements of the schools they are considering.
With that context in mind, there are still several reasons students may want to take the SAT.
1. The SAT Can Provide Colleges With Additional Academic Information
A student's high school transcript tells an important story. Grades show how a student has performed over time, while coursework provides context about academic rigor.
The SAT can provide another standardized measure of academic preparation.
Research involving more than 220,000 students at 169 four-year colleges and universities found that SAT scores and high school GPA were both related to first-year college performance. The researchers also found that using the two measures together provided more information about college performance than either measure alone.
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This does not mean that an SAT score defines a student's academic ability. Rather, it suggests that standardized test results can provide information that complements the information contained in a student's transcript.
2. SAT Scores Have Been Studied as Predictors of College Performance
One of the most frequently studied questions surrounding the SAT is whether performance on the exam is related to how students perform in college.
Research has repeatedly examined the relationship between SAT scores and first-year college GPA. A 2019 study involving more than 223,000 students at 171 four-year institutions found positive relationships between SAT scores and first-year grades and also examined relationships with retention into the second year.
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Another study using data from 237,883 students at 146 four-year institutions examined SAT relationships with first-year GPA, second-year cumulative GPA, and retention into the third year. The researchers reported that the predictive relationships remained stable across the outcomes they examined.
These studies are important because they demonstrate that the SAT can contain information about academic preparation. They should not, however, be interpreted as proof that SAT scores cause students to perform better in college.
3. The SAT Can Complement High School Grades
High school GPA and SAT scores measure different aspects of a student's academic experience.
Grades are earned over an extended period and reflect factors such as coursework, assignments, classroom performance, and assessments. A standardized test, by contrast, provides a common testing environment for students.
Research has found that combining SAT scores with high school GPA can improve prediction of college performance compared with relying on either measure independently.
This complementary role is one reason SAT scores have historically been used alongside transcripts rather than as a replacement for grades.
4. Taking the SAT Can Give Students Another Opportunity to Demonstrate Their Preparation
Students do not all have identical educational experiences.
A student's transcript may reflect the curriculum, grading practices, and opportunities available at their high school. A standardized assessment provides another piece of information that is collected under a common testing framework.
Research on admissions measures has therefore examined how SAT scores and GPA function together across different types of institutions and student populations. One study found that the predictive validity of SAT scores and high school GPA varies across institutions, highlighting the importance of considering the context in which these measures are used.
For some students, an SAT score can therefore add useful context to their academic record.
5. A Strong SAT Score May Be Relevant to Scholarships and Special Programs
SAT scores can also be considered for certain merit-based scholarships, honors programs, or other competitive academic opportunities.
Research has examined the usefulness of SAT scores in predicting whether students reach GPA thresholds commonly associated with scholarship retention and honors programs. The study found that SAT scores and high school GPA each provided information related to these outcomes.
However, scholarship and honors requirements vary widely. Students should check each institution's current policies rather than assuming that submitting an SAT score will automatically qualify them for financial aid or special consideration.
6. The SAT Can Help Students Identify Areas for Improvement
Preparing for and taking the SAT can also be useful from a learning perspective.
The exam measures skills in areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics. A student's results can help identify subjects or skills that may warrant additional practice.
For example, a student who performs strongly in reading and writing but struggles with particular areas of mathematics may be able to use that information to guide future studying.
The goal should not simply be to chase a particular number. Instead, students can use their results to understand where additional preparation could be useful.
7. Taking the SAT Can Give Students More Flexibility
College admissions policies vary considerably. Some schools require standardized-test scores, while others allow students to apply without submitting them. Policies can also change from year to year.
Taking the SAT can give a student the option of submitting a score if it is useful for a particular college, scholarship, honors program, or other opportunity.
Students should research the current requirements of each college on their list. A student's decision about whether to submit a score should be based on the policies and circumstances that apply when they are applying.
8. Research Also Shows Why SAT Scores Shouldn't Be Viewed in Isolation
The research surrounding standardized testing is more nuanced than simply saying that a higher SAT score guarantees greater college success.
For example, researchers have found that high school GPA and SAT scores each contribute information about college performance, and their usefulness can vary depending on the institution and student population.
Other research has also examined questions surrounding socioeconomic status, educational opportunity, and differences in predictive relationships among student groups.
For that reason, the most responsible way to interpret an SAT score is as one piece of a larger academic picture.
A student's grades, coursework, educational opportunities, interests, accomplishments, and personal circumstances all provide important context.
Is Taking the SAT Worth It?
For students considering the SAT, the answer depends on their individual college plans.
Taking the test can be particularly useful when a student is applying to colleges that require or consider SAT scores, pursuing programs or scholarships that use standardized testing, or simply wants another standardized measure of academic preparation.
For students applying exclusively to institutions where testing is not required, the decision may be different.
The important point is that students should not assume that the SAT is either universally essential or universally irrelevant. College testing policies differ, and those policies should be checked directly with individual institutions.
The Bottom Line
The SAT remains a potentially useful part of the college-planning process because it can provide a standardized measure of academic preparation, complement high school grades, and give students another way to demonstrate their skills.
Academic research involving large student populations has found meaningful relationships between SAT performance and college outcomes, while also showing that SAT scores work best as part of a broader set of information rather than as a standalone measure of a student's potential.
Ultimately, taking the SAT is about keeping options open and gathering useful information. Students who are considering the exam should look at the requirements of their target colleges, understand how scores are used, and decide how the test fits into their overall college strategy.
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