Standardized testing has been changing nonstop since 2020.
Requirements are all over the place. Test formats are virtually unrecognizable. And there’s a lot of misinformation flying around.
Today we set the record straight and get you caught up with testing for college admissions post-2025.
We’ve answered all the biggest questions parents are asking with nuance, so you can make sure your high schooler is on the right track.
And if you have a question you don’t see answered here, please email us!
We’ll make sure you get the information you need to take your right next step.
A lot of schools are now test-optional. Is standardized testing still worth it?
Indeed, more than 2000 schools, including many selective schools, are now test-optional!
If your kid’s college list consists of only test-optional or mainly test-blind schools, and testing is not their strong-suit, they may opt to focus their energy on developing other pieces of their admissions portfolio instead. These tests measure various skills, but your kid’s intelligence and ability to succeed in college are not among them.
That said, a strong score can still be an advantage at many of these test-optional schools. If your kid shows some aptitude for either the SAT or the ACT, it may absolutely be worth giving it their best shot.
When do we need to start thinking about testing?
Starting this process at the end of sophomore year gives students plenty of time to work intentionally towards their goals with less stress.
At the absolute latest, students should have their testing strategy planned out by January of junior year. In order to do so, they first and foremost need to build their college list.
Without at least a rough idea of where they’d like to apply, many students wind up wasting time and effort chasing a score they don’t actually need. (Numbers are almost never what makes a student stand out in a sea of applicants.) Or else they don’t realize they need a certain score to qualify for their dream school until the last minute! So no matter when you start, remember: your testing strategy should flow from your college list, and not the other way around.
Wondering what goes into building a list of great-fit schools? Check out our free College Clarity Toolkit.
How do we choose between the ACT and the SAT? Should we do both?
Students should take full-length practice tests to determine which is a better fit and focus their efforts on just ONE. Though both tests cover similar material, the formats, types of questions, and skills prioritized are different and most students will have a clear preference of one over the other. “I felt more rushed on this one,” “These questions were so tricky!” or “I had no idea what they were asking me to do” are good indicators that the test isn’t a great fit. Likewise, if they score in a higher percentile on one than the other, you’ll know which one is their best bet.
TIP: Make sure you use official materials via the SAT and ACT websites — third party practice tests may not be an accurate representation.
When does standardized testing need to happen?
We recommend students take their first official test between October and March of junior year, and sign up for a second sitting in the next possible test administration. (Most students do better on their second sitting, and taking a test two or three times does not affect how colleges perceive students in any way.)
Ideally, students get standardized testing out of the way before finals and AP exams, and leave time to get additional help and test again over the summer if needed. (Remember that students should be committed to only one test — either the SAT or the ACT — for both test sittings.)
My kid is a sophomore (or younger.) What can we do to prepare for this?
In the spring of sophomore year many high schools administer the PSAT or pre-ACT. Colleges do not look at these results, they are only relevant as an indicator of how your kid handles these types of tests.
If it turns out they have a natural aptitude, great. They should keep that in mind when they build their college list. And if their score is way below where they thought it would be, it might be worth exploring why. Remember: these tests are not a measure of intelligence, and there are skills kids can develop to become better test takers if desired.
If their high school doesn’t administer the PSAT or pre-ACT, the summer after sophomore year is a great time to get ahead of this whole process. Students should use it to take those full-length diagnostic tests, choose which test to focus on, and begin building their college list to set their target score.
If they’re near their target score, they can defer test prep to fall or even spring of junior year. If not, they should continue prepping over the summer and into junior year.
How do you know what a student’s target score should be?
While it’s not a perfect formula, the best way is to look at the average scores of admitted students at the schools on your college list. Colleges generally place the most emphasis on grades and performance in school, so putting a lot of effort towards reaching the top percentile is rarely recommended.
Students should also take their diagnostic scores into account: there’s often a limit to how much they can realistically expect to increase their score, even with disciplined preparation (roughly 100-200 points on the SAT and 1-4 points on the ACT). To improve more than that typically requires considerable extra effort and perhaps even help from a performance coach or test-prep tutor.
How exactly should my kid be studying for the SAT or ACT?
Students should begin by taking full-length practice tests to reveal which test they prefer and where they need to improve. What content do they need to learn? What kinds of questions trip them up? Where are they running out of time, or not using their time wisely? Reviewing their performance regularly is key: just doing practice drills won’t improve scores nearly as much as lasering in on why they missed certain questions, and pinpointing what they need to learn or do differently.
Often, students with low scores simply haven’t been taught some of the material in school, and should focus on filling knowledge gaps rather than solving practice problems. Students with higher scores should still review any confusing concepts, but will benefit more from learning test-specific strategy and performance-boosting skills. Either way, taking full-length practice tests at regular intervals is equally essential to assess their progress in context and build stamina for testing day.
How much studying and practice is necessary?
It depends on the gap between a student’s practice score and target score, as well as how quickly they make progress. At a certain point however, constant drilling yields diminishing returns; what’s more important is practicing routinely and systematically, with a focus on getting to the bottom of missed points and improving those weak spots.
As soon as they have their strategy dialed in, students should set up a study schedule for practicing up through their first testing date. Devoting even a small amount of effort to exam prep every week leads to far better results than trying to cram preparation in at the last minute.
At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that numbers are almost never what makes one student stand out over another on their college application, so no matter what, test prep needs to be balanced with academics, social engagement, unique passions, and personal growth.
Why is routine practice so important?
Taking the SAT/ACT is a performance, just like an athletic or musical performance. If students don’t practice, they will get rusty, regardless of how good their previous test scores were. If a student scores fairly well on the first exam but is planning to take a second test, they should plan on practicing for at least 4 weeks before the second sitting of the exam. There’s no need to overdo it though — once you’ve hit your target score, maintenance should take no more than 2 hours a week.
Are tutoring or classes necessary for improvement?
Not always. Students who prepare in a smart way and put in consistent time and effort can certainly improve their scores without a tutor. However, students who have extremely aggressive score goals or who have very low starting scores may benefit significantly from coaching and instruction.
Plus, while students may be fully capable of studying on their own, the accountability that comes from hiring a tutor can make it much easier to follow through on their test prep plan. It may be well worth the investment to keep students’ test prep focused and on track.
My kid has ADHD or is bad at test-taking. Is there any way they can do well on these tests?
An ADHD diagnosis does not have to take your kid out of the game.
Doing well on a timed, 3-6 hour test requires planning, prioritization, self-awareness, efficiency, endurance, and impulse-control. And while not everyone’s brain is wired with these skills, anyone can be trained in them.
They’re known as Executive Functioning Skills, and at Signet they’re one of our specialties — and the reason why our students with ADHD and other learning differences experience significant score increases. Unlike traditional test prep systems, we train them to work with their unique brains so they can stay energized and focused on a long test, use any extra time to their advantage rather than rushing through or spacing out, avoid distractions, and bring themselves back to center when test anxiety strikes.
At the end of the day, this kind of specialized training gives kids so much more than impressive test scores. It gives them an entirely new outlook.
A self-awareness most kids don’t develop until adulthood. And skills that make it easier for them to succeed in college, in their careers, and in all of life’s high-pressure situations.
Have more questions about your kid’s specific situation?
Book a Free Testing Strategy Diagnostic Session.
We’ll look at your child’s current grades and scores, help you understand their strengths, talk through any questions around ADHD or processing challenges, and advise you on how to get them engaged in the college process.
You’ll walk away more clear and assured on what your kid really needs to be doing to get into a great school, and when they should start.
