This probably won’t come as a surprise to you, but standardized testing (as in, the SAT and ACT) can have disparate negative impacts on first generation and/or low income (FGLI) students compared with wealthier students.
Add to that that there are a lot of misconceptions about test scores and admissions, and if you're a first generation and/or low income student, the whole SAT/ACT situation might feel like navigating a maze blindfolded.
So we want to shine some light on the subject and break down what you really need to know.
We’ll start with some basics, and then dive into the depths.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(click to skip ahead)What even are these tests?
First things first, just to make sure we’re all on the same page: the SAT and ACT are standardized tests designed (at least hypothetically) to measure "college readiness." (There’s a lot of debate over if these tests actually test for college readiness, and how well they do so—more on that below.)
The SAT is scored out of 1600:
800 points for Math
800 points for Reading and Writing
The ACT is scored out of 36, covering:
English
Math
Reading
Science (though the Science section will be optional starting in April 2025)
(Plus an optional essay that most students skip these days, though some schools, like West Point, still require the ACT with Writing, so check out the college on your college list)
The average SAT score is about 1000, and the average ACT score is about 20. Only a tiny fraction of students get perfect scores (less than half a percent!), so definitely don't stress about perfection.
Concern #2:The truth about test scores and income
Here’s one major disparity: standardized tests have historically favored students from higher-income backgrounds. Research shows:
Only about 2-3% of students from families earning under $50,000 score above 1300 on the SAT
Students from families earning over $200,000 are more than 6 times as likely to score above 1300
Students from the most selective colleges and from the top 1% of income are 77 times more likely to score 1500+ than students from the bottom 20% of income
But here's the really important part for you to understand: colleges know this.
And because they know this, they aren’t simply looking at student scores without context. Instead, they’re looking at things like how a student scored relative to average scores in their school.
They also understand these tests don't measure your resilience, work ethic, or long-term potential.
For a deep dive into how colleges read applications, check out this YouTube video.
Your score is NOT your worth
Here's something we can't emphasize enough: your standardized test score is not a measure of your intelligence, potential, or worth. It's just one data point—and increasingly, it's an optional one.
Former admissions officer wisdom: At Pomona College (acceptance rate under 10%), researchers found that students who scored above a 28 on the ACT or above 600 on each SAT section (1200 total) were highly likely to graduate on time. That's significantly lower than their published averages!
So don’t confuse how well you do on a standardized test with how well you can do in college and life.
Test-Optional: It's ACTUALLY optional
Since 2020, over 1,900 colleges have gone test-optional or test-blind. And they mean it!
AOs have emphasized that test-optional policies aren't a trick. When scores aren't submitted, admissions officers focus on other parts of your application—especially your high school transcript, which shows your performance over years, not just one Saturday morning.
As former admissions officer Tom Campbell shares:
"When I worked at Holy Cross and Pomona College, we truly practiced test-optional admissions. If a score wasn't there, I didn't go hunting for it to 'ding' the student. In fact, at Pomona, we did an experiment where half the staff reviewed applications with test scores and half without—and everyone made the exact same admission recommendations!"
The binary thinking trap
Many first-generation students fall into what we call "binary thinking" about test scores—assuming there's a strict cutoff that determines whether you're in or out. This often leads to self-exclusion when students see a low score.
But here's the reality: Your transcript is the ice cream, and test scores are just sprinkles. Nice to have, but definitely not the main dish!
When and how to prep (If you choose to test)
If you decide to take these tests, here's a realistic timeline:
9th & 10th Grade: Focus on your classes and activities. These are largely test-free years!
11th Grade: Take the PSAT, which also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Start SAT/ACT prep in spring.
12th Grade: Consider retaking in fall if needed, then decide whether to submit.
For affordable prep options:
College Board and ACT.org offer free practice materials
Khan Academy and 1600.io provide free practice tests and targeted help
Should you even bother?
If testing would be a significant financial burden and you're applying to mostly test-optional schools, you don't have to take these tests. Period.
But if you can take it once for free through a school-day SAT or with a fee waiver, it might be worth it—just to keep your options open. A solid score might open up some rarer scholarship opportunities, or boost your application at certain schools that are test-preferred.
Remember: your grades and coursework matter more than test scores. Colleges want to see how you've performed day after day, not just during one high-pressure morning.
Action items for smart testing decisions
Talk to admissions officers to understand how test scores will be viewed in your application process
Consider taking both tests (SAT and ACT) once if possible to see which format you prefer
Don't self-select out of applying to schools because of test scores alone
Read testing policies carefully to understand each school's approach
Focus most of your energy on maintaining strong grades and pursuing meaningful activities
Should you submit your scores?
This is where it gets personal. Here's a simple guideline:
If your score falls within or above a school's middle 50% range, it's probably worth submitting.
To find this range, search "[School Name] Common Data Set + SAT or ACT."
But what if your score falls below that range?
This is where context matters. If you're first-gen or low-income and you worked hard for your score, it might still strengthen your application compared to submitting nothing.
When in doubt, reach out! Email an admissions officer with something like:
"Hi, I'm a first-gen student from [Your City], and I scored a 1020 on the SAT. I'm wondering whether you recommend I submit my score to [College Name]?"
Admissions officers are there to help you, not gatekeep. They want to know your story and are often rooting for you.
Here’s the way to think about it: Admissions officers are advocates—not adversaries.
How to spot a school's REAL test policy
The language colleges use about testing can also tell you a lot about how they actually view scores:
Strongly Test-Optional—Clear Message That You’re Not Penalized
Bowdoin College
“Testing is optional. Applicants are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by submitting standardized test scores.”
Smith College
“Testing is not required for admission. We will not consider scores if you choose not to submit them.”
Wake Forest University
“Our holistic approach to admissions means that your decision to submit standardized test scores is entirely yours, and you will not be penalized if you do not submit scores.”
These schools go out of their way to reassure applicants that test scores are truly optional—and non-submitters are on totally equal footing.
Middle Ground—We Don’t Require Them, But They Can Help
Boston University
“If you submit standardized test scores, they will be considered as part of your application, but students who do not submit scores are not penalized in the admissions process.”
Tufts University
“Students who do not submit scores are considered with the same level of scrutiny and care as those who do.”
This language supports a genuine test-optional approach while also signaling that scores, when submitted, are helpful data points.
Test-Preferred—Subtle (or Not-So-Subtle) Encouragement to Submit
University of Michigan
“Applicants who have taken standardized tests are encouraged to submit them. Those who do not submit scores will not be disadvantaged in the review process.”
This language doesn’t require testing, but it makes clear that scores are viewed as useful. The phrase “encouraged to submit” is a strong indicator that the school finds value in them.
Final Thoughts
Standardized tests are just one piece of your college application puzzle – and often not the most important piece, especially for first-gen and low-income students.
Your transcript, essays, recommendation letters, background, and resilience paint a much fuller picture than a 3-hour exam ever could.
You are more than a number. You've got this, and we're rooting for you! 💪
Want more guidance on navigating the college application process as a first-gen or low-income student? Check out our other resources at CollegeEssayGuy.com!
Jenn the Tutor is a nationally recognized and award winning College Admissions Consultant,and Test-Optional Advocate. She is the winner of the 2023 National Association of College Admissions Counseling Inclusion, Access, and Success Award. She is a sought-out expert on the SAT and ACT, standardized tests, test-optional, and college admissions who has been interviewed for NPR Marketplace, Washington Post, US News and World Report, Education Week, Higher Education Dive, Chronicle of Higher Education, Newsy, Educational Endeavors, Road2College, and Prep Talks Podcast.
Tom Campbell (he/him) is an eternally extra Gemini who has spent the past seven years helping students and families navigate the college admissions process—one alliterative/assonant aphorism at a time. Prior to joining College Essay Guy, he worked as a college counselor at Lakeside School and an admissions officer at Pomona College and College of the Holy Cross (his alma mater). He stans em dashes and semicolons, Kacey Musgraves (all eras, not just star crossed and Golden Hour), superior breakfast burritos, and complaining about space tourism.
Top Values: Authenticity | Fun | Vulnerability
Andrew Simpson, CEG’s Editorial Director, has worked as an educator, consultant, and curriculum writer for the past 20 years, and earned degrees from Stanford in Political Science and Drama. He feels most at home on mountain tops and in oceans.
Top Values: Insight/Growth | Truth | Integrity
