Standardized test scores reflect three things for a student: natural talent, dedication and how much money their parents make. But unfortunately for students all over the world, socioeconomic status is not a choice.
While standardized test scores may be beneficial in indicating a student’s knowledge or ability, they also highlight disparities in resources and opportunities. A study conducted by Opportunity Insights at Harvard University found that children from the wealthiest 1% of American families were 13 times more likely than the children of low-income families to score 1300 or higher on SAT/ACT tests. This issue is becoming more prevalent as many colleges and universities are moving away from the test-optional policies that were adopted during COVID-19.
According to the College Board, the U.S. and 85 other countries use students’ SAT scores as a determining factor in admissions decisions. Director of College Counseling Christine Grover believes that there are better indicators such as the students’ academic record for how well they will do at a particular college.
“How [the student] has done in high school is the best indicator of how they will do in college as opposed to one test, one time, one day,” Grover said. “If you instead look at that student’s high school transcript, it will show years of data of how well they have been doing.”
Many students feel pressure to earn perfect or near-perfect scores on the SAT and ACT, which is often impossible without access to the right resources and the time to take advantage of said resources. “Standardized tests cannot be gamed quite as easily as many people think,” SAT and ACT tutor Tim McDermott said. “Students still need to be willing to dedicate time and effort to learning the material in order to reach their optimal scores.”
Organizations like Khan Academy are atempting to bridge the socioeconomic gap that impacts standardized test scores. Research conducted by the College Board shows that students who studied for 20 hours with the free Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy achieved an average score gain of 115 points.
Although this resource has been proven to be helpful, one-on-one tutoring is often significantly more beneficial than test-prep resources that are made available to the general public, but it is also much more expensive.
“Because tutors understand not just the content but also the format of the test, they can advise their students on strategies on time management and develop study plans tailored to students’ individual needs,” McDermott said.
Not only are students impacted by the availability of test prep, but other, less conspicuous factors can play a major role. For example, students from affluent families typically have highly educated parents who understand the value of higher education and who themselves attended prestigious colleges and universities.
“Parents [of wealthier families] are often more knowledgeable about the admissions process and are less constrained by financial factors.” McDermott said.
These parents are typically able to allocate funds for multiple test retakes, which is proven to improve students’ test scores. A study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that on average, students’ scores improved by 90 points when they retook the SAT. While it is evident that retaking standardized tests like the SAT and ACT are beneficial, it can be expensive — around $60 — per retake. Many parents are not able to afford for their children to take the tests more than once, limiting their opportunities.
That being said, money is not the only factor that can affect a student’s performance. Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have familial commitments that limit the time they are able to dedicate to their academics.
“If you’re a student that needs to work after school to feed your family or go home to take care of all of your siblings, because both of your parents are working, you’re not going to have the hours and the accessibility to prepare in the way you might need to,” Grover said.
These socioeconomic factors greatly influence students’ performance on standardized tests, which in turn affects their college admissions opportunities.
“The advantage of higher socioeconomic status is not merely a matter of finances but also of awareness, support and connections,” McDermott said.
