As universities across America reinstate testing requirements, an increased value is being placed on the SAT and ACT, the two options of standardized tests that millions of teenagers take as they begin applying to colleges. After the COVID pandemic began, most American universities went test-optional, no longer requiring students to submit scores. However, four years have passed since 2020, and with the ACT and SAT operating normally again, top schools have reinstated their requirements.
As testing policies shift, it becomes more important for students to get a score they feel confident in. Research has found that test scores are often one of the most reliable predictors of a student’s success at top universities. “An academic study released [in 2023] by the group Opportunity Insights, covering the so-called Ivy Plus colleges (the eight in the Ivy League, along with Duke, M.I.T., Stanford, and the University of Chicago), showed little relationship between high school grade point average and success in college. The researchers found a strong relationship between test scores and later success,” wrote the New York Times.
These findings have led to a debate over the highly profitable test prep industry. Hundreds of companies offer various review books, programs and tutoring, creating an industry that is expected to grow by $14.72 billion by 2027, according to Yahoo Finance.
The options for test prep include private or group tutoring sessions, online review programs and classic prep books by companies like Kaplan or Princeton Review. As the market has ballooned with options, many costing hundreds of dollars, people have questioned whether these resources genuinely help students achieve high scores.
Despite the often expensive costs of private tutoring or prestigious programs like the Princeton Review’s courses, the results a student receives are worth it. Having a specialized tutor can teach not just material for the test, but personalized test-taking strategies critical to success. An experienced professional will know what to look for in testing habits that might help or harm you, and they will know to focus on areas a student needs the most attention in.
Another important aspect of the value of test prep is the time required. Tutors may meet at a specific time once a week, or another kind of scheduled interval. For high school students, who are busy with homework, sports and extracurriculars, having a set time that they are forced to prepare for these tests can be extremely helpful. Without a program to stick to or a tutor who is expecting finished review work, it can be difficult to find the motivation to study for standardized tests.
While expert test prep is often worth the cost, students don’t need to feel forced to spend money just to get a good score. There are low-budget or free options, including Khan Academy, that can still help students get high scores as long as they remain motivated.
