It’s that time of the year again.  The College Board seems to hold a firm grasp on nearly every academically conscious student.  While many go their entire academic career without taking a ‘stressful’ standardized test, or taking one halfheartedly, most juniors in high school are currently left biting their fingernails, awaiting their all-important grades given to them via College Board.  What is the root of all this stress?  After all, many universities, even at the top level have become ‘test-optional’ over the past years.

According to a 2019 study overseen by Harvard’s graduate school, students who fear that they have more to lose have been recorded to be the most tense during standardized tests.  The very same study mentioned that cortisol levels (the hormone most directly correlated with stress), were severely increased when recording students from low-income families rooting in rougher neighborhoods.  This concluded that students tend to feel the most pressure when they feel that the test heavily impacted their future.  This certainly explains why most work-study and vocational students feel more relaxed and care-free during required standardized tests, or just simply not participating in others.  

So if you’re reading this while also feeling anxious to hear from the almighty College Board to give your score(s), that’s simply a good sign that you care, that you prepared, that you felt there was more on the line for you if you scored well.

With May SAT scores already being released, and the A.P. scores are set to release in July, just remember that a simple number does not define you.  As your worries alone are an amazing sign that you give great efforts into becoming a well-rounded student.

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