As high school juniors prepare for the pressure of the upcoming ACT and SAT exams this spring, many seniors in the class of 2026 are relieved to have completed the process. This contrast reflects the growing debate over the role standardized testing should play in determining students’ academic and professional futures.
The ACT and SAT are the primary standardized exams taken by high school students to assess academic skills that colleges use in admissions decisions. Although these tests can benefit students, they do not always reflect a student’s full academic ability.
One of Xavier’s guidance counselors, Alexis Quintero, emphasized the limitations of standardized testing. “I don’t feel like it captures a student’s full academic well-being. There are so many factors that affect test performance, like anxiety or circumstances on test day, that don’t reflect a student’s actual ability,” she said.
Avery Stewart ‘26 navigated the ACT with test anxiety. “I used to struggle with intense test anxiety that significantly limited my performance. After doing well on my first ACT, when I didn’t place as much pressure on myself, I learned to accept nervousness as a normal part of the process instead of letting it hold me back,” she said.
For students similar to Stewart, Quintero highlights the recent efforts created to make the exams more accessible. “The ACT and SAT are adapting, especially as they move toward digital testing and improved accommodations for students with different learning needs,” she said.
Many colleges moved toward test-optional admissions, aiming to focus on the holistic view of their applicants. This allowed students to decide on submitting their test scores to colleges, reducing the stress of the process.
Stewart supports colleges’ test-optional policies. “I support optional testing policies that allow students to submit scores as an enhancement to their applications. If a student worked hard and feels proud of their results, those scores should be considered,” she said.
Xavier’s curriculum helps students to adequately prepare for their standardized exams. Based on data from Niche.com, a national school evaluation platform, Xavier’s ACT and SAT score averages rank among the strongest in the Phoenix area. “The way our curriculum is designed really reflects what’s on the ACT and SAT,” Quintero said.
Stewart explains how attending a college prep school enhanced her performance on the ACT. “One of the most meaningful realizations for me was seeing how many of the concepts I had learned over the years at Xavier were being tested,” she said.
At Xavier, the emphasis remains on preparation rather than perfection. Xavier provides various resources including Naviance, a web-based college and career readiness platform that gives students access to free ACT study preparation.
“We want students to feel prepared and supported, regardless of what their scores end up being,” Quintero said.
Adriana Lauterborn ‘26, received a perfect score on her PSAT, a preliminary test taken annually before the SAT. This score qualified her for the National Merit Scholarship program.
“I studied for the test and hoped to earn National Merit recognition, but I was never expecting a perfect score. I was really surprised,” Lauterborn said. In addition to Xavier’s rigorous third-year curriculum, Lauterborn’s three hours of weekly personal study helped her achieve the outstanding score.
Despite her perfect score and diligent preparation, Lauterborn emphasized gaps in standardized testing results. “Standardized tests don’t reflect my abilities in science or language, and there are many gifted students whose strengths don’t show up in testing,” she said.
Standardized testing impacts each student differently. While strong scores can offer opportunities, they are only one measure among many used to evaluate academic readiness.
Preparing for tests that can potentially determine a university, a career and a future can be extremely stressful and nerve-racking. Quintero encourages students who are anxious about the process that “it’s never going to hurt you to submit a strong test score, but a lower one doesn’t define you either.”
