About Testing
There are two nationally recognized standardized tests for college admission and scholarship consideration: the ACT and SAT. Colleges accept scores from either the ACT or SAT; there is no advantage to taking one test over the other. Both tests generally cover the same topics and measure similar abilities, but they are not the same.
| Differences | SAT | ACT |
| Scoring | 400-1600 | 0-36 |
| Test Format | online | will be offered online from April 2025 and in both online or paper formats from September 2025 |
| Sections | Reading and Writing (2 modules), Math (2 modules, one with calculator) | English, Math, Reading, and Science (will be optional from Spring 2025) |
| Optional Sections | none | writing (essay) and science (will be optional from Spring 2025) |
| Test Length | 2 hours 14 minutes | 2 hours 55 minutes (but will be 2 hours 5 minutes starting from Spring 2025) |
| Number of Questions | 98 questions | 215 questions (but will be 171 questions, including science section, starting from Spring 2025) |
| Cost | $68 ($14 for each additional report) | $69 ($19 for each additional report) |
Testing Strategy:
- Freshman Year: Start test prep early. There are many free practice resources available in paper form or online.
- Sophomore Year: Continue practice. In the spring, take diagnostic tests for both the ACT and SAT to see which test is more comfortable for you and where you achieve a higher score. Select your strategy for official testing—whether you will take the SAT, ACT, or both. Review your state’s graduation testing requirements, as some states administer either the SAT or ACT in schools during the spring of Junior year.
- Junior Year: Take the official test(s). Depending on the results, decide whether you are satisfied with your scores or need to retake tests in the fall of Senior year, or whether you need to apply test-optional (if your selected colleges allow it).
If you’re planning to take the test in the 2024-2025 school year, please refer to the schedule below:
ACT
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Score Release Date |
| December 14, 2024 | November 8, 2024 | December 24, 2024 |
| February 8, 2025 | January 3, 2025 | February 18, 2025 |
| April 5, 2025 | February 28, 2025 | April 15, 2025 |
| June 14, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | June 24, 2025 |
| July 12, 2025 | June 6, 2025 | July 22, 2025 |
SAT
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Score Release Date |
| December 7, 2024 | November 22, 2024 | December 20, 2024 |
| March 8, 2025 | February 21, 2025 | March 21, 2025 |
| May 3, 2025 | April 18, 2025 | May 16, 2025 |
| June 7, 2025 | May 22, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |