By College applications aren’t what they used to be. There was a time where most college applications demanded an SAT or ACT score, but requirements are changing. Many schools don’t request a test score to consider a student for admission—but does that mean you should skip it altogether?
Colleges in the United States fall under three categories in regard to testing. They either:
- Require an exam score to consider a student for admission,
- are test blind, which means they don’t review or consider test scores,
- or they are test optional, which means test scores will be considered if they are submitted, but they’re not required for admission consideration.
So should you take the SAT or ACT? If so, which one?
Is the SAT Required?
Almost all colleges that require a test score will accept ACT or SAT, which means the choice of test is generally left up to the student. There are a few considerations when choosing between taking the SAT or the ACT.
If you’ve decided that the SAT format and content work better for your testing style, then the next question is: Do you need to take the SAT at all?
If your school of choice requires an SAT score, the easy answer is: yes, you do need take the SAT (that was an easy one). If every school you’re applying to is test blind, you might choose not to take the SAT.
But what if your schools are test-optional? Here are a few factors to consider:
1. Stress vs benefit.
If you don’t have an SAT score you’re happy with by the time you’re applying for schools, it may not be worth the additional stress for a non-required score. Best practices suggest landing a solid score before the end of your junior year to avoid cramming too much into application season.
2. Going the extra mile.
Even when SAT scores aren’t required, providing one can put you ahead of the students who don’t. It can prove extra initiative and drive.
3. Merit aid and scholarships.
While test-optional schools don’t require a score for admission, they may require a score for students to qualify for financial aid. This might not be information they list obviously on their website, but it can be the case.
Because of those reasons, it’s likely a wise choice to work on your SAT score before application season, even if you’re applying to test-optional schools.
Do I need to take the ACT?
Colleges that require test scores for admissions will accept either ACT or SAT scores. If you’ve decided the ACT is your test of choice between the two, you’ll run into the same questions we covered for opting into the SAT:
Does your school of choice accept test scores?
If so, do you have the time and bandwidth to earn an acceptable score, or would it greatly add to your stress during application season?
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Just like with the SAT, if you have the time and resources to earn an impressive score, it’s a good idea to take the test, even if your schools are test optional.
What does “test-optional” mean for colleges?
If a college is “test-optional,” that means they don’t require an SAT or ACT score to consider a student for admission.
However, as we covered above, there are still a couple of reasons a student would want to take one of the tests before applying to a test-optional college:
1. It can give you an advantage.
Going above and beyond requirements can show the admissions board that you’re an active student who will strive for success. If there’s one spot left and it’s between two students with similar applications, but one has a great SAT score and the other hasn’t included a score at all? The chances of the student with an SAT score earning admission become much higher.
2. Merit aid and scholarship opportunities.
Even if a college doesn’t specify that a test score is required for admission, there are sometimes opportunities for financial aid that do require an SAT or ACT score. Locking in a high score while you can might open opportunities for bettering your college experience, even if it doesn’t affect your admission.
3. “Testing out” of classes.
Many students can skip freshman classes, like intro English and Math, based on the merit of their ACT or SAT test scores. Scoring reasonably in those subjects can end up saving you several credit hours of classes to either use on another course of interest, or to push you toward an earlier graduation date.
Why do some schools not require the SAT or ACT?
In the past few years, many colleges have dropped the required SAT or ACT score. There are a few reasons for this.
One reason is that colleges find other factors more accurate in assessing a student’s potential, rather than a test that is taken on a single day.
Another is that the importance of the test scores have been too heavily weighed, causing students to neglect other aspects of college prep and the application process.
Recently, even more schools have stopped requiring test scores due to COVID complications.
Colleges as a whole have been moving away from required testing and leaving it up to the students to decide if they want to participate and include a test score in their application.
Should I still take the SAT if it isn’t required?
It might be pretty tempting to skip on testing if your school doesn’t require a score, but there are several benefits to taking the SAT anyway.
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1. Giving you an edge on your application.
If you include an impressive test score when it’s not required, your application is more likely to stand out amongst other applicants, giving you an extra opportunity to prove yourself.
2. Possibly qualifying you for scholarships and financial aid.
While a test score may not be required for admission to certain schools, it can still qualify students for merit-based financial aid opportunities. Securing a high score can help you, even after you’ve been accepted to college.
3. “Testing out” of college classes.
Hitting high scores on the SAT or ACT can qualify students to earn their way out of certain college classes. If you want to inch your graduation timeline forward, skip some headaches, and get right into higher level classes, then investing time now to get a high test score might pay off big when you get to college.
4. Surprise applications.
It’s great to have a plan, but it’s even better to stay flexible in those plans. Even if you’ve “decided” on a college, things change! You might find yourself considering schools that do require test scores for their applications, and it may be too late to get a good score by then. Taking the SAT can open up unexpected opportunities if you find your goals changing.
Should I still take the ACT if it isn’t required?
Without a score requirement from their desired colleges, students might like the idea of skipping the ACT altogether, but that’s often not the wisest choice. Here are a few reasons you might want to take the ACT regardless.
1. Get a leg up on other applicants.
Including a high test score when the application does not require it can prove that you’re a more capable and driven student than perhaps a student who opted out. Even when it’s not required, it is an extra opportunity to impress.
2. Skip a few intro classes.
If writing five-paragraph argumentative essays in English 101 or sitting through another Algebra class doesn’t sound like your speed, you might be able to skip them! A qualifying score on the SAT or ACT can enable students to earn those credits before they even get to college.
3. Potentially earn scholarships and financial aid.
Sometimes, test-optional schools still use scores as a metric for students to earn merit-based financial aid and scholarships. Skipping the test means automatically disqualifying yourself for those opportunities.
4. Staying flexible.
Most students have their dream school picked out, but dreams can change! In order to stay open to other opportunities, it might be smart to have an ACT or SAT score, just in case. If a student switches schools during application season and has to rush for a good score, it’s likely they won’t score nearly as well as they could have with more time to prepare. To allow yourself space to change your mind, a high test score in your back pocket is always a good idea.
Should I take the ACT or the SAT?
We’ve covered the benefits for taking ONE of those tests—but which one should you take? There are a few differences between the ACT and the SAT that you’ll probably want to consider before you choose an exam.
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1. Timing and tone.
One of the most relevant factors students use to choose an exam is the timing. The ACT is a bigger time crunch for students, specifically the Reading and Science portions of the test. At less than a minute per question, not including reading the passages, the ACT becomes a race in reading. The SAT Reading section gives students a minute and fifteen seconds per question, which ends up providing a lot more wiggle room.
The tone of the ACT and SAT differ in that the ACT is more straightforward, while the SAT uses more complex language. A stronger reader might prefer the SAT, while a faster test-taker might prefer the ACT.
2. Subject/section weights.
Your academic strengths and weaknesses are definitely a factor when deciding which test to take. For example, math has a higher weight on the SAT, contributing half of your overall score. If you know math is not your strength, you may want to take the ACT in order to “hide” the math score, since it’s only a fourth of the ACT score.
The ACT has a Science portion. While the Science section has little to do with knowing actual science, it does test students on their skills in reading comprehension and analysis. If that sounds like something you’re strong in, opting for the ACT might be beneficial, as your Science score could raise your overall score. If you know you wouldn’t excel in that section, you might be better off with the SAT.
3. The essay.
The ACT has an optional essay portion, which some schools may require for ACT scores. The SAT has completely removed their essay component.
If you’re still not sure which test is right for you, try this free diagnostic quiz to find out.
Which states require the SAT?
Aside from college admissions, some states require students to take the SAT in order to graduate high school.
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States that require the SAT:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Maine
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
While those states require high school students to take the SAT, some states provide it for free to their high school students without requiring that they participate.
States that provide the SAT:
- District of Columbia
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
Which states require the ACT?
Several states require students to complete the ACT in order to qualify for high school graduation.
Looking for more ACT help? Check Out Test Geek’s Free ACT Study Guide.
States that require all students to take the ACT (including the writing portion):
- Alabama
- Hawaii
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio (ACT or SAT required)
- Oklahoma (ACT or SAT required)
- South Carolina (ACT or SAT required)
- Tennessee (ACT or SAT required)
- Utah
- Wisconsin
States that require all students to take the ACT (not including the writing portion):
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Wyoming
States that offer the ACT, but do not require it:
- Arkansas
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri (determined by district)
So, should I take the test?
Overall, yes. Even if the colleges you’re applying to don’t require the SAT or ACT for admission, you may open yourself up to more opportunities (including an increased chance of admission) by having a good test score. Worst case scenario, your score isn’t high enough to include on those applications, so you omit it.
The only case in which we might suggest you don’t take the SAT or ACT is if you’ve waited until the very last minute, and crunching the test in while you’re busy with graduating high school and applying for colleges will just increase your stress with a low chance of resulting in a good test score.
If you’re ready to start test prep, but you don’t know where to start, request a free diagnostic quiz to find out.
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