During the college admissions process, the two main factors compared are a student’s grade point average and standardized test scores.

A grade point average is a numerical figure representing a student’s grades in classes while a standardized test score is the result of standardized tests such as the SATs. When comparing these two factors, a student’s GPA should be more important than standardized test scores during college admissions.

The first factor to compare between the two tasks is the amount of time spent on each task.

A GPA is accumulated throughout the entirety of a student’s high school career, totaling about 4,000 hours spent working on a student’s GPA. In comparison, the SAT is a test lasting four hours, which is less than a full day at Hudson High School without afterschool activities.

It should be illogical that one test should play a bigger role in college admissions then the work a student completes throughout the entirety of their high school career, but that’s the reality of the situation. This preference sends the message that hard word and time spent are not rewarded.

In addition, it’s important to take into perspective the skills reflected in both metrics.

The SAT only measures a student’s mathematical, reading, and writing abilities. While these skills are certainly important, most high end jobs require skills such as cooking or coding, skills that are not judged by the SAT.

These skills are taught side by side with the skills tested on the SAT in the classroom. Therefore, doing well in classes, and by extension, earning a high GPA is necessary to successfully learn the skills taught in electives.

While SAT scores should be seen as less important than GPA during college admissions, the SAT does have it’s benefits.

The SAT is administered by the College Board, a third party organization not related to any high school, ensuring fair and unbiased results. The SAT is also available to all students regardless of location. These factors make the SAT an effective tool for comparing students from different high schools.

While a student’s SAT scores are considered more important than a student’s GPA during the college admission process, solutions do exist that help students with low SAT scores yet have a high GPA.

One such solution is to apply to a test-optional school, or a college that gives applicants a choice whether to submit their scores. By making the submission of scores optional, applicants are given more power over what goes into their application, making the resulting applications more fitting to the applicant’s strengths.

Another possible solution is to enforce standardized test practice in high schools.

While this won’t make a student’s GPA more important, practice is shown to increase a student’s test scores, making the student more likely to receive acceptance in a prestigious university. Making test practice required would also help schools provide students the resources necessary for success, which is ultimately one of the main goals of any school.

The battle between GPA and SAT scores is similar to the story of the underdog. While the similarities are not immediately apparent, one of the main themes of the story of the underdog is the belief that hard work should ultimately be rewarded.

This belief also serves as one of the main values of american culture and society. In order for this value to be universally true, a student’s grade point average must be seen as more important than a student’s standardized test scores.