In this Step, we discuss the role of standardized tests in
college admission. Remembering that tests are less important
than courses and grades, we want you to know that tests can be
opportunities for you to showcase your talents and interests,
and prove yourself on nationally recognized standardized exams.
Step Four presents the test opportunities and requirements
students face today. While many students may feel they are just
not good test takers, they can improve their scores through
practice and increasing their familiarity with the tests. Long-
term development of verbal skills is the best way to improve
test performance. It is clear that most selective colleges
require a combination of standardized tests like the SAT I, SAT
II, and ACT, and that they use these tests to help evaluate
their applicant pool. In most cases, these colleges are looking
for test scores that are in their ballpark, and a student may
use his or her test scores to assess which colleges seem to be
in the right admission range. Howeve