High schools and their grading processes are not created equal, so admissions officers (AOs) need to look at national testing to help gauge talent on a single, measurable scale.

A student can earn an A by cramming for a test, as well from learning in class.AOs want to know who has been learning.

They understand that testing can be particularly challenging to some people, and that family income and access to test preparation influences students’ scores.

Desirable students may not need the top scores if they can score well enough to show that they can do the work at the college, but students from major “feeder” areas for colleges will likely need strong scores.