There is no “off season” for college admissions. Once the last student is enrolled in a university for the 2015 school year, it’s time for the 2016 enrollees to apply. Many colleges and universities are getting more picky in the way they chose who gets admitted every year, and it starts with the state tests. The SAT and ACT hold great weight and can determine where you will continue your education.

“After taking the SAT one or two times, I received a great score and was quickly accepted to the college I’ve always wanted to go to,” senior Isaiah Gutierrez said.

We take the PSAT as sophomores and juniors. Everyone has the option to put their information (like email, phone number, address, etc.) on the scantron, so that your scores can be submitted to many colleges and universities that may identify students to recruit. With above average PSAT scores, these colleges will keep track of you and watch for your SAT/ACT scores. You can receive emails from up to twenty colleges a day (which, in retrospect, is rather annoying at times).

As the school year progresses, the time to submit these scores narrows down and soon, it’s too late to apply. Many high school seniors are faced with this problem after procrastinating and blowing off the tests. Almost every four-year college requires SAT or ACT scores — students can’t apply without them. A few four-year colleges and open-admission colleges, including community colleges, don’t require scores but may use them for placement or scholarships.

One misconception about colleges looking at scores is that if they are too low, then colleges won’t even look at them or your application. While many of them require a specific score to be admitted, they are not those mythical “perfect scores.” Many of the well-known colleges and universities will take lower scores and focus on other credentials.

Teachers and parents will always talk up these tests up as the things that “determine your future” which makes them seem very intimidating, but the best way to handle them is to not stress. Of course, lots of studying and preparations will always be beneficial to a better grade or preparedness, but stressing out only causes a bigger struggle.

Although most students don’t enjoy these standardized tests, they do play a big role in everyone’s college life, and getting them done follows the saying “the sooner the better.”