It’s been reported this week that the ACT will be going through a major overhaul with a shortened format and the science section being optional.
2 Likes
I worry we are dumbing things down and will not be competitive on the world stage eventually.
4 Likes
Anyone else with a 26 grad think getting their student to sit the ACT in the middle of a change isn’t the wisest course? My kid has shown no preference between SAT and ACT after practice tests, and I’m thinking it would be safer to go for SAT where the prep should match known outcomes at this stage.
1 Like
Agree. UCs are still saying they do not accept the digital sat score for english placement.
Bummer. For strong readers like my S24, and I suspect my D30 when the time comes, the Science section was like a free Composite score bonus.
Which I guess is making the case for why it is being downgraded . . . .
1 Like
We opted for ACT instead of SAT because the Digital SAT seems unpredictable, so we are trying to just get done with the ACT before spring of next year. D26 is scheduled to take it in Sept and Oct, and I will probably book her a Dec or Jan spot just in case.
The Compass Prep analysis was very interesting.
1 Like
For any 2026 grads, and even some 2027 grads who like the Science section, who want to take the ACT, be sure to take ACT before the changes go into effect. You never know what might happen.
We are so glad DS2025 took SAT before it went digital as the March digital was different than he prepared for. He will take SAT Digital one more time in August, but it is basically a chase for merit as he isn’t really looking at any stretch schools due to niche major.
D25 also tested in the fall. The devil you know and all that…. In this transition year I am not 100% convinced that SAT scores will be looked at the exact same way. No matter how they try to pitch it, the reality is that the English part no longer requires reading comprehension/synthesizing a passage of text. This was a valuable, if indirect, aspect of the SAT