ACT and SAT Must-Knows for High Schoolers (Part 1)
We recently joined Scoir’s Inside College Admissions podcast to share key insights about the ACT and SAT. In this recap of the first half of the conversation, we’ll cover:
- What’s the Current Trend with Test-Optional Admissions Policies?
- Should You Take the ACT or SAT If You’re Only Applying to Test-Optional Schools?
- How Many Times Should Students Take the ACT or SAT?
- What Do Students Need to Know About the Changes to the ACT?
- Have There Been Any Changes to the SAT That Students Should Know About?
- What Are the Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT?
- How Should Students Prepare for the ACT and SAT?
Scoir also published a recap of the second half of the episode, which dives into:
- How to Manage Test Stress
- Life After Testing: Superscoring and Getting Your Scores
- How Parents and Guardians Can Help
- Quick SAT and ACT Prep Tips for Students
What’s the Current Trend with Test-Optional Admissions Policies?
While most colleges are still test-optional, more institutions are returning to requiring test scores. Of roughly 100 top schools we reviewed, about a quarter are now test required, including MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. Only a handful of schools remain test blind.
Differing policies around testing make it a very confusing process to navigate. The big thing to know is that admissions officers at test-optional schools still value test scores.
Test scores have several important purposes in the college admissions process:
- Test scores provide an objective measure in an otherwise subjective process
- Essays, interviews, letters of recommendation, and even grades are very subjective. Test scores are the only standardized measure admissions teams have to compare applicants.
- Test scores can qualify students for scholarships
- Many scholarships require ACT or SAT test scores.
- Test scores may be required for entry into specific majors
- Some majors, such as nursing or engineering, may require test scores even at test-optional schools.
- Test scores may be used for course placement
- Test scores can be used to place freshmen in core courses, so a higher test score may allow you to skip intro level courses, saving time and money.
Should You Take the ACT or SAT If You’re Only Applying to Test-Optional Schools?
Yes. Taking the ACT or SAT keeps your options open. If your results don’t reflect your academic record, you can choose not to send them. However, if you don’t test at all, you lose that flexibility, along with access to scholarships, special programs, or majors that require test scores.
How Many Times Should Students Take the ACT or SAT?
Most students take the ACT or SAT two or three times. Taking the test more than once gives you the opportunity to improve your score and lowers anxiety by removing the “one shot” pressure.
Testing in the spring or summer of junior year provides several opportunities to retake if needed. Students who finish testing before senior year can focus more fully on college applications with one major stressor out of the way.
What Do Students Need to Know About the Changes to the ACT?
The enhanced ACT, launched in 2025, includes several key updates designed to make the test more flexible for students:
- Shorter test
- Fewer questions
- More time per question
- Optional Science section
The scoring scale remains 1–36 (though the composite score now includes only English, Math, and Reading). The Writing section remains optional, and students can still choose to take the ACT on paper or on the computer. In-school testing will transition to the new format in April 2026.
Learn more about the enhanced ACT.
Have There Been Any Changes to the SAT That Students Should Know About?
Yes. The SAT became a fully digital, computer-adaptive test in spring 2024. Here are a few key things to know about the current version of the SAT:
- There are only two sections:
- Reading and Writing
- Math
- It’s computer adaptive:
- Each section is divided into two modules, and your performance on the first module determines the difficulty of the second
- It’s still scored on a 400–1600 scale
Because of its adaptive design, students should use computer-adaptive practice tests to prepare effectively.
Learn more about the SAT.
What Are the Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT?
Both tests are accepted by U.S. colleges and measure similar skills, but they differ in structure, timing, and format. Understanding these distinctions can help you choose the test that best fits your strengths.
Length:
- ACT: 2 hours and 5 minutes
- SAT: 2 hours and 14 minutes
Number of Questions:
- ACT: 131 questions
- SAT: 98 questions
Scoring Scale:
- ACT: 1–36
- SAT: 400–1600
Format:
- ACT: Linear test that can be taken on paper or on the computer
- SAT: Adaptive test that’s only offered on the computer
Passage Style:
- ACT: Multiple questions per passage on the English, Reading, and (optional) Science sections
- SAT: One short passage per question on the Reading and Writing section
Math Question Format:
- ACT: All multiple-choice questions
- SAT: Includes a few fill-in-the-blank questions (student-produced responses)
The best way to decide which test is right for you is to take one full-length practice test of each and compare your comfort level, pacing, and performance.
See a side-by-side comparison of the ACT and SAT.
How Should Students Prepare for the ACT and SAT?
Test Innovators recommends a straightforward three-step approach:
- Take a full-length practice test to get familiar with timing and question types.
- Review your results to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.
- Do targeted practice to improve weak areas.
Repeat these steps until you’re meeting your score goals. Always practice in the same test format (digital or paper) that you’ll see on test day.
For strategies on managing test anxiety, understanding superscoring, and tips for parents and guardians, read Part 2 of the recap on Scoir’s blog.
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