Colleges shift admissions focus from ACT to GPA

By Jazmine Knight

For years, ACT scores were a key piece to college admissions. But now, schools are putting more emphasis on other factors like GPA as opposed to one test.

Amid the COVID pandemic, many colleges and universities made the switch to test-optional models to accommodate the cancellations at ACT testing sites.

Megan McCamy, college and career counselor at Central High School, said since more colleges enacted a test-optional model, more high school students have taken that into consideration.

“Students who feel like they aren’t very strong test takers are relying more on their GPA,” said McCamy. “About 50% of our students are college-bound. Definitely not all of those students are taking the ACT.”

McCamy said there have been multiple studies conducted that have proven that GPA is a much better predictor of future success in college compared to the ACT. Having a strong GPA shows colleges that the student can balance coursework with extracurricular activities, which is likely to carry over into college.

“It’s different for every student,” she said. “I don’t know that the ACT is like the end all, be all for success in the future. Not everyone’s a good test taker. So there’s just a lot of factors.”

Post-COVID, oftentimes students only need their ACT score for potential scholarships or programs. At Missouri Western State University, Jeffrey Foot, assistant vice president of enrollment management, said they currently only have a few programs that require an ACT score (for example, the physical therapy assistant program). However at MWSU, the test-optional model is something they’ve been doing for a long time.

“Our mandate as a state university is designated as open access,” Foot said. “Which means that we had to take a wide range of test taking and academically prepared students.”

Over time, Foot said more students are refraining from taking the ACT test. While he’s unsure of the reasons why, he said it could be because state testing has shown its limitations. Instead, Missouri Western uses ACT scores solely for scholarships to act as an incentive for students.

“That’s what’s helping us in having the students show us a higher level of academic preparation so that our scholarship structure kicks into place and rewards those students for taking the ACT test,” he said.

Missouri Western’s scholarship model begins at $300 per year for a 2.5 GPA and less than 20 on the ACT. From there, the values max out at a 4.0 and higher GPA with an ACT score over 28. That can earn the student an extra $4,000 a year in scholarships.

Foot said that not only does this model reward students for their efforts, but it also teaches them that they can do much better beyond high school.

“We really want to make sure that we’re not artificially limiting our numbers by setting unreasonable standards based on whatever educational system that they might have come out of,” said Foot.

Because of this, Missouri Western recognizes those students that do have lower GPAs and low or no ACT scores and provides them with extra support through places like the Academic Services offices or the Academic Advising office.

When speaking with prospective students at college fairs, Foot said he believes that removing the ACT requirements at universities lowers the apprehension of coming to college for most students.

“I think that they’re relieved that that burden’s not there so that we can start talking about what are the right decisions for you,” he said.

Central High School seniors George Willoughby and Alexis Perkins have two different experiences with the ACT.

For Perkins, she is gearing up to take the ACT for the first time. She’s aiming to score at least a 19 or 20. She said she’s happy most colleges are not requiring the ACT.

“It definitely took a lot of stress off my shoulders,” Perkins said. “If I don’t do that, well, it’s okay, ‘cause it’s not going to mess with my future. So I think it was a good thing.”

She said as future generations embark on their high school journey, the emphasis that was originally placed on the ACT will slowly diminish.

“It’s definitely gotten more lax,” said Perkins. “I definitely don’t think it’s as big of a deal. I feel like because colleges haven’t made it a requirement anymore.”

Willoughby on the other hand, has taken the test a total of four times. For him, the ACT was about continuing to improve his score. On his first attempt as a sophomore, Willoughby struggled to stay focused. However now as a senior, he’s used to it. Willoughby aimed for a 30, which he’s now achieved.

“Definitely gives more confidence the more you take it,” Willoughby said.

He plans on taking the test one more time before he graduates. To prepare, he relies on practice ACT tests and the ACT Academy to help him.

At Central, ACT Academy is where students can sign up to miss two full days of class to take a comprehensive course just focused around the ACT.

“They go subject by subject, looking at how many questions, how much time do you have,” said McCamy.

Since much of the ACT is prepping for the format and the long four-hour test model, many students go into the test not knowing what to expect.

“A lot of the ACT is preparing for the format of it the first time you take it. If you go in blind, you don’t really know how long you have on each question,” McCamy said.

This in turn can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for students.

“I’m just worried about my attention span,” said Perkins.

Both Willoughby and Perkins said they have friends who are refraining from taking the ACT test mainly to avoid the stress that comes with it.

“Test taking is definitely not for everyone. I would say I’m not a very good test taker, which is nice since like a lot of schools now are test-optional,” said Willoughby.

For teachers, easing the students’ anxiety can be challenging. McCamy encourages students to only focus on the things they have control over.

“Getting a good night’s sleep, eating breakfast, making sure you have a snack, trying to not worry,” she said.

Willoughby said even though it’s not required, he still encourages students to take the ACT despite how nerve-wracking it may be.

“If you get one under your belt, then you’re probably going to take another one or at least, just kind of have the confidence,” he said.