Flickr user Claire Cook44
Feels good to have the Big Test Day over and done with, right? The ACT and SAT exam take up a big amount of time, energy, and focus, so to finally take the test can leave many students feeling relieved. But what now?
Celebrate and Relax
First off: celebrate! You worked hard and you made it through a stressful day. Treat yourself to your favorite food, hang out with friends, go see a movie, you deserve a reward. And be sure to follow up that celebration with a well-deserved rest. You want to avoid burnout for the other college prep things you’ll need to do.
Consider a Retake
If this was your first ACT / SAT exam, you should definitely consider retaking it. Studies show that most students who retake the test earn a higher score the second time around. Now that you know what you’re in for, you can prepare even better. Additionally, if you get your scores and are disappointed, you can work towards a higher result.
Focus on Other Application Elements
If you don’t have the time for a retake (or don’t otherwise need to), it’s time to shift gears and focus on the other important factors that go into a college app. GPA, app essay, letters of recommendation, volunteer work, college visits / interviews, and extracurricular activities to name a few.
The ACT and SAT are important, to be sure, but they aren’t the only thing that matters. A college app should be well-balanced, don’t put 100% of your effort into test scores and neglect the other parts.
Check to see how your ACT/SAT scores affect your acceptance odds with College Raptor’s free match tool!
