Nichols School is committed to supporting all students on their path to college. For most colleges, standardized test scores are an important part of an applicant’s profile. Even in uncertain times, one aspect of the college application process we can control is the degree to which we prepare our students for success on these tests. We believe that developing an individualized testing and preparation plan is a necessary component of each student’s college preparation journey.
For the 2020-2021 school year, we created a new school-wide standardized testing program that involves all Upper School students. Our goal is to give families more information at an earlier point in a student’s Upper School academic career. The College Center will then be better able to guide families on this crucial part of the college application process.
Many students are anxious about taking standardized tests. We believe following this testing schedule will help students become more familiar with the content and format of the SAT and build their test-taking endurance and strategies.
Early testing will also reveal areas of academic strength and weakness, enabling our College Center to make more specific recommendations around test preparation and the college process. For instance, some students may determine that they are better suited for the ACT than the SAT.
We view the college process as a partnership between families and Nichols. As with any partnership, communication is key. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the College Counseling Center with any questions or concerns you may have.