In recent years, the landscape of standardized testing has undergone dramatic transformations. Despite colleges reducing their requirements, the demand for these tests persists and the juniors are continuing to prepare for the upcoming spring and summer ACT exams.
In an unprecedented trend, more schools are becoming test optional, and the overwhelming majority of U.S. colleges and universities that stayed test optional post-Covid will remain to be optional for 2025 applicants. More than 80% of U.S. schools won’t require applicants for fall 2025 admissions to submit test scores, according to data collected by FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing. That includes at least 1,825 of the nation’s bachelor-degree granting institutions, excluding schools that have other policies, such as test flexibility.
The increase in test-optional colleges has influenced students’ perspectives on test-taking. Junior Ethan He, who is not taking the ACT but plans to take the SAT for the second time in March, feels more strongly that standardized tests aren’t a unilateral indicator of success, and appreciates the increasingly holistic view now emphasized by colleges. “Much of the questions in both the ACT and SAT also cater mostly to the test makers, which don’t necessarily show how proficient you are at a subject but instead [proficient at] knowing what the test makers are looking for,” said He.
Another major change for the class of 2026 and beyond is that the ACT now offers an online testing option at select locations, catching up to the SAT, which went digital in 2024. Starting in April 2025, students who choose to test online will experience a shorter test and get more time to respond to each question. Beginning with the September 2025 test, all students, whether testing online or on paper, will experience these changes. Additionally, the science section, required until last September, is now optional. These changes follow a decrease in the average ACT composite score for the class of 2024, which fell to 19.4, a decline of 0.1 points from 2023, according to data released by ACT. The average composite score has been declining for the past seven years.
Despite the changes, students still choose to take the ACT for a number of reasons. The ACT is known for being more direct in its question format, with less tricky or indirect phrasing compared to the SAT. It doesn’t penalize you for incorrect answers, which means guesses can be made without the risk of losing points, and since the ACT has distinct sections, some students find it to be broken into more manageable parts. However, it has a faster pace compared to the SAT, which might make it harder for students who tend to need more time to process questions or are slow test-takers.
Junior Annalise Atkinson, who intends to take the February ACT, knew she wanted to take a standardized test. When choosing between the ACT and the SAT, she ultimately decided on the former because she “was told it had less math than the SAT.”
“I took the practice test in ninth grade, and it went better than I thought, so I’m not super scared, but I have not studied very much so I am definitely feeling less prepared for this one,” said Atkinson.
Upperclassmen are not the only students in a crunch to get ready for exams. Sophomore Emma Tan is preparing to take the optional practice ACT (PACT) on Feb. 13, where she hopes to get a strong sense of what the official exam is like.
“I like to challenge myself, and if you do good, it looks good on your resume,” Tan said. Tan is also planning on taking the PSAT, and will take the test she feels more confident with after taking the practice exams next year. “It’s nerve-wracking, but I know it’s gonna be a good experience,” she said. Even though sophomores are not required to practice before taking the PACT, Tan intends to.
The February ACT will take place today, Saturday, Feb. 8, at SPA.
