SAT and ACT Requirements Are Returning: What Students Should Do Now
As many leading universities reinstate SAT and ACT requirements, students and families should review college policies early, build a manageable testing plan, and avoid letting scores define the entire application.
A changed testing landscape
Many leading universities have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements after pausing them during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to reporting from Cleveland 19 News. The change means some students who assumed testing was optional may discover that a score is required when they begin submitting applications.
The most important point for families is that testing policies can differ from one college to another. Students should not rely on what they heard during the test-optional years. They should visit the admissions pages for each school on their list and confirm whether the SAT or ACT is required, whether either test is accepted, and which deadlines apply.
Testing adds another planning challenge
For students already taking demanding courses, preparing for a college entrance exam can feel like adding a second academic schedule. The Cleveland 19 report follows a high school junior taking AP biology, pre-calculus, and American government while also preparing for the ACT and SAT.
That experience will be familiar to many students. Test preparation requires time, but it should fit alongside classwork, activities, rest, and other responsibilities. A practical plan might begin with identifying the schools that matter most, checking their requirements, and choosing a testing date that leaves enough time for preparation and a possible retake.
Students do not need to prepare for every available test date. They do need to understand the application calendar. The report notes that October, November, and December test dates may still be accepted by many colleges for seniors, though each school’s policy should be checked carefully.
The PSAT may matter for juniors
The report also highlights the PSAT for juniors. Prep Expert’s Shaan Patel said that students scoring in the top 1% on the October PSAT may qualify for National Merit recognition and that some colleges offer substantial scholarships connected to high performance.
That possibility makes the PSAT worth taking seriously, especially for students who are already considering competitive colleges or academic scholarships. At the same time, one exam should be treated as an opportunity—not as a measure of a student’s identity or potential.
A healthier approach to preparation
Academic coach Missy Lawrence recommends organizing preparation early and keeping it from taking over a student’s life. That is sound advice. A test score can be important, but it is only one part of a larger application that may include grades, course choices, activities, recommendations, and personal writing.
Families can help by turning a vague concern into a short checklist:
1. Make a list of prospective colleges.
2. Confirm each school’s current SAT and ACT policy.
3. Note application and score-reporting deadlines.
4. Choose a reasonable test date.
5. Set aside regular, limited study periods rather than waiting for a stressful last-minute push.
6. Review progress and adjust the plan as needed.
Students may also benefit from asking teachers, peers, or tutors for help with difficult areas and test-taking strategies. The student featured in the report described preparation, support from others, and careful scheduling as ways to manage the pressure.
The takeaway for families
The return of testing requirements does not mean students need to panic. It does mean they need accurate information and an earlier plan. Start with the colleges, work backward from their deadlines, and build preparation into the school year in manageable steps.
A strong testing plan should support a student’s goals without allowing a score to become the student’s entire story.