1,000 Reasons to NOT Stress on ACT & SAT

Almost two years ago I wrote a blog post about 850 reasons to NOT stress about the SAT and ACT.

Now there are more than 1,000 reasons. 

Check out this list produced by FairTest of over 1,000 colleges that "do not use SAT and ACT scores to admit substantial numbers of students into bachelor-degree programs."

Cue the sound of a valve turning and pressure releasing.

Do you hear that? That is the sound of the release of any stress and pressure around the SAT and ACT. With over 1,000 schools that don't care about your test score, why should you stress?

Stress clouds the brain. An unstressed brain learns better than a stressed brain. Walk into the SAT or ACT stressed out and your score will drop. 

The first step in any test prep is to remove as much stress as possible from the process. My students repeat the following mantra over and over: "Stress is the enemy of test performance."

It's okay to use a little stress to get focused and prepared but too much stress will lead to miserable testing experiences and performances. So use this latest update from FairTest as confirmation that you need NOT stress. 

Sure, you may be interested in schools that are not on this list. Schools not on this list still weigh SAT and ACT test scores heavily in the process of admission. However, at a minimum, the schools on the FairTest list offer terrific alternatives. 

So don't stress. Let your brain work and learn to its full capacity. Consequently, your confidence and your score will improve.

For studying advice on the SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT and academic subjects, contact CROSSWALK.