Teachers Encourage Students to Retake the SATs
JAYLEEN LAM MIMI CABALLERO Staff Writers
Contrary to the popular belief that there is only one make-up exam for the SAT, there is actually no limit to the number of times a student can retake the SAT. The only problem is that only a small number of students are aware of this opportunity and therefore, the majority cannot take advantage of it. If teachers were to tell their students about this advantage, they could improve the academic performance of their pupils According to the New York Times, researchers have found that encouraging students to `retake the SAT multiple times will achieve an average increase of 90 points out of 1,600 from the students’ previous score. The study also found that students who got a score lower than a multiple of 100 – such as 800 – would have high motivation to retake the SAT and score higher The College Board, the association responsible for producing the SAT, also gives free SAT tests to students who qualify for the reduced meal program and other methods of financial aid, allowing eligible students to take the SAT twice and send their scores to colleges an unlimited number of times at no cost. This waiver can be acquired from the school counselor and will save at least $129. Besides the waivers, teachers can also prompt students to take the test earlier in their junior year, rather than waiting for the last year of school. Only 20 percent of Asian-American and Caucasian students took the SAT in their senior year, and when compared to the 40 percent of senior minority students taking the SAT for the first time, the difference is significant. A few states and school districts, including the Long Beach Unified District in California, partnered with the College Board to offer the SAT or ACT during school hours for free and require juniors who do not qualify for a fee waiver to take it. These benefits are unavailable to the majority of students unless teachers take the steps to tell them about the opportunities we have. Teachers have the ability to increase their students’ chances of being successful in and outside of school. Telling students about this option to retake an important exam will dramatically improve students’ chances of enrolling in college and entering the adult world.