Did You Know? The SAT Is Still One of the Most Important Parts of Many College Applications

Think the SAT doesn’t matter anymore? Think again.

While some colleges remain test-optional, many of the nation’s most competitive universities have returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores. Others strongly encourage submitting scores because they provide another way to demonstrate academic readiness.

Did you know?

  • The SAT is fully digital and takes just 2 hours and 14 minutes.
  • Students can use the built-in Desmos calculator on every math question.
  • The test is adaptive, meaning your performance on Module 1 affects the difficulty of Module 2.
  • A strong SAT score can strengthen applications, qualify students for scholarships, and help offset a lower GPA.

Bottom line: Even at many test-optional schools, a strong SAT score can still give students an advantage.

Did You Know? More SAT Practice Tests Are Available Than Ever

One of the biggest challenges students faced with the Digital SAT was a limited number of official practice exams.

The good news? College Board has expanded the number of official Bluebook practice tests, giving students more realistic opportunities to prepare before test day. Test-center capacity has also improved, making it easier for many students to find an available testing location.

Pro Tip: Don’t just take practice tests. Review every missed question to identify your “score leaks.” That’s where the biggest score improvements happen.

Did You Know? The ACT Has Changed Too

Many families focus only on SAT updates, but the ACT has also evolved.

Recent ACT changes include:

  • A shorter exam.
  • More time per question.
  • A revised composite score that no longer automatically includes Science in the overall composite.

For some students, these changes make the ACT a better fit than before.

Did You Know? A 100-Point SAT Increase Can Open More Scholarship Opportunities

Many merit scholarships use SAT scores as part of their qualification process.

An improvement of even 50–100 points can make a student eligible for scholarships that weren’t previously available, depending on the college.

That’s why strategic preparation often provides a much greater return than simply taking the test multiple times.

Did You Know? Most Students Study Too Broadly

One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to improve everything at once.

The highest score gains usually come from:

  • Identifying your weakest question types.
  • Fixing recurring mistakes.
  • Practicing those skills consistently.
  • Tracking progress over time.

Studying smarter almost always beats studying longer.

Scroll to Top