Should I take the ACT or SAT?

Should I take the SAT or ACT? 

Short answer:  It depends. 

Long answer:  If it is available to you, probably.  

For over a decade, there has been a movement for colleges and universities to drop the ACT or SAT as an admissions requirement.  These schools are referred to as “Test Optional.”  Prior to the pandemic, over 800 colleges and universities had test optional policies.  Post COVID, that list has grown to over 1,800 institutions.  (A current list of test optional schools can be found here.)

“Test Optional” means different things.  Here are a few more specific criteria:  

• Test Optional:  Students have the choice to submit their ACT or SAT test scores with their application.  A student’s application will not be at a disadvantage if they cannot or opt not to submit a test score.

• Test Flexible:  Students are allowed to submit different test scores, such as SAT Subject Test, IB or AP exam, in lieu of ACT or SAT scores. 

• Test Blind, Test Free or Score Free:  The institution does not consider ACT or SAT scores in any part of their admissions or financial aid process, even if submitted.  

With all of this said, college and university test score requirements vary widely (always check with each institution directly to confirm their requirement).  Many have not made any long term commitments to their policies, often only announcing their policies for the next class. Others have taken the opportunity to permanently remove the ACT or SAT as a requirement.  Because of the lack of consistency, it is important to know what each college requires.

While it is common knowledge that ACT and SAT can be required for admissions, some students are surprised to learn that test scores are used in other ways.  Test scores can be used for scholarship selection, specialized programs, major programs and even class placements. Even if you don’t need it to get in…test scores can be helpful for these specific situations.

Because of the complexity, my advice is if you have an ACT or SAT available to you, take it.  You do not need to take both or even one exam multiple times.  Having one ACT or SAT by the start of your senior year will be helpful, but is not required.  

Interested in working with me? Send me an email at hello@apariciocollegecounsulting.com and we can set up a complementary 15 minute conversation to see if I would be a good fit for your family.