College Admissions Testing: SAT and ACT
Developing a testing strategy is one of the first steps a high school junior will take in their college admissions journey! Does your teenager need to take a college admissions test? Should they take the SAT or the ACT, or both? If you are the parent of a junior, these are probably questions you’ve started thinking about. Below you’ll find all of the details to help you answer these questions!
Current State of College Admissions Testing
Prior to the pandemic, nearly all students took either the SAT or the ACT and submitted test scores as a part of the college application process. However, over the last few years, there has been a significant shift in the testing landscape.
As of the Summer of 2023:
83% of colleges are test-optional
4% of colleges are test-free (meaning they won’t look at test scores)
8% of colleges require test scores (including a couple of state public school systems like Florida)
In addition to colleges changing their testing requirements, the importance of test scores in the evaluation of a student’s application has also shifted. As recently as 2019, admission test scores ranked 4th (just below transcript elements) in importance for factors in admissions decisions. However, as you can see from the chart below, the level of importance has decreased dramatically (dropping to 11th place) in a recent poll of 185 college admissions offices.
Factors in College Admissions Decisions, NACAC 2023
Should students take college admissions tests?
In most cases, I recommend students take at least one official test. Why?
Testing usually happens before students finalize their college list and some schools require (or encourage) test scores.
In a test-optional environment, after taking the test and receiving scores, a student can choose whether or not to submit the scores.
While strong test scores cannot overcome a weak transcript, they can positively support a student’s application.
For some colleges, submitting test scores will qualify students for merit scholarships at a lower GPA threshold than what is required without test scores. Or, submitting test scores will help students qualify for higher scholarship amounts. For example, at West Virginia University, for out-of-state students, there is a $3,000 difference in the scholarship amount given to students with and without test scores who have a 3.8+ GPA.
Which college admissions test is the right test?
Once you’ve determined whether or not to take a college admissions test, the next step is to decide which test to take. Let’s review the differences between the two tests.
The ACT
The ACT is a traditional paper-and-pencil test that consists of four multiple-choice sections— English (45 minutes), Math (60 minutes), Reading (35 minutes), and Science (35 minutes) for a total of 2 hours and 55 minutes.
The SAT
Beginning with 2024 testing, the SAT is a computer-based adaptive test. It has two sections: Reading /Writing (64 minutes) and Math (70 minutes). Each section is divided into two equal-length modules. The first module of each section contains a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how students perform on the first module, the second module will either be more or less difficult. Any student who took the Fall 2023 PSAT will be familiar with the new digital format.
Does it matter to colleges?
For the majority of colleges, it absolutely doesn’t matter which test a student decides to take. College admissions counselors are familiar with comparing ACT and SAT scores and look at the tests equivalently.
How to decide which test to take
I advise students to take practice tests for both the ACT and the SAT and simulate testing conditions to get an accurate idea of performance. This means finding a quiet space to take the test, following timing requirements, and taking the entire test in one sitting. After calculating your scores, do a simple internet search for “SAT vs. ACT concordance table” to help you compare your scores and determine which test is best for you.
Practice Tests: Both the College Board and ACT release practice tests to help students become familiar with the tests. Many test prep companies also offer practice tests at no cost.
Once you’ve determined which test is the right fit, focus your preparation and testing on just the one you’ve chosen. There is a lot that goes into college admissions and choosing one test to focus on helps to streamline the process.
How many times should a student take the SAT or ACT?
For most students, two official test sittings are usually the right amount. Many students will see an increase in scores from the first to second sitting due to familiarity and increased preparation. Some students will want to test a third time if they are close to a score threshold they are trying to reach. I rarely recommend sitting for a fourth test.
Test Prep
Families have many options when it comes to preparing for college admissions testing, ranging from free to costing several hundred dollars. I usually recommend that students utilize free or low-cost resources to prepare for the first time they take the SAT or the ACT. Once students get their scores back, you can decide if a more intensive test preparation is the right choice for your family.
Free Test Prep
SAT Test Prep through Khan Academy.
If you decide to pay for more intensive test preparation, check with your high school or local parent community to see what has worked well for others. Ideally, test prep will occur over several weeks and lead right into the test date.
Plan your testing
SAT and ACT registration opens several months before the test dates. Sit down as a family and look at the calendar to develop a testing schedule. Most students will want to complete testing before the end of their Junior year. If sitting for a test twice, this can be accomplished in the Spring of Junior year. Just be careful to avoid vacations, breaks, and other busy times in your teenager’s schedule (like AP, IB, and final exams).
Have more questions about college admissions testing? Don’t hesitate to reach out at nikihaubner@deliberatelydesignedllc.com!