PSAT/SAT/ACT
Many--but not all--colleges and universities have made the SAT/ACT optional in recent years. It's important to check individual school admission pages for their specific policies.
Washington Public Universities: All have either made made the SAT/ACT optional or they are test-blind (read article). Click here to read the University of Washington's policy.
Military Academies & ROTC: Most college military programs still require test scores.
Highly Competitive Colleges & Universities: Even if the school is test-optional, high SAT or ACT scores may help your application. For example, Princeton University states, “Our most promising candidates tend to earn strong grades and have comparatively high scores on standardized tests” and Yale University says their, "internal research has consistently shown that ACT and SAT scores are a significant predictor of a student’s undergraduate academic performance."
University of California: "UC will not consider SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Test scores when making admission decisions or awarding scholarships."
NCAA (for athletes): As of March 2023, the NCAA is no longer requiring the SAT or the ACT for students who intend to compete at the Division 1 or Division 2 level. Eligibility will only be calculated based on NCAA core course GPA and the core course requirements. Click here to see their statement about test scores.
SAT Changes: The SAT is dropping the optional essay portion of the test, along with subject tests. (read article). Starting in 2024, the SAT is going digital for US testing sites (more info).
What you should do:
Visit the admission webpages of schools to which you want to apply and find out what their SAT/ACT policy is.
If the school is test-optional, decide if you want to submit scores if you are able to take a test. If the answer is yes, study and register early to get a testing site close to home. Your scores are not sent to colleges unless you request it when you register, so you may want to wait and see your score before you have scores sent to a college, however, there is a fee of about $12-$15 per report. Learn more about sending your scores: SAT | ACT
If you decide to take the tests, you should consider using a flexible reporting strategy. This means you should report your test scores depending on the school. For each school you're applying to:
Find the score range of ACT/SAT of its accepted students. You can Google "SAT range [college name]".
If your score falls within that bracket, submit your score to that school.
If it does not, do not submit for that school.
Remember that grades and coursework almost always have more weight in admissions decisions than test scores.
If you are planning to attend a community college, technical college, or trade school, you will most likely not need to take the SAT or ACT. These schools usually have their own English and math placement tests and methods. Check the school's website for details.
Finally, please remember that the College Board who administers the SAT is a business. Just because they send you an email telling you that you should sign up for a test doesn't mean that you need to. Check college admission websites to find out what you should be doing.
Test Information
More details about SAT vs. ACT
SAT Fee Waivers ACT Fee Waivers
If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, TANF, SNAP, or other benefits for low income families, you should be eligible for a fee waiver. You must get the waiver before you register for a test.
Test Prep
You can also download free apps that send you a daily practice question.
Frequently Asked Questions about the PSAT
When is the PSAT? Why should you take it?
The PSAT is given in mid-October. Typically, sophomores take the test to get practice for the PSAT/SAT. Juniors take the test to practice for the SAT. You can use the information you get back after taking the PSAT to study for the SAT. It is also the National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test (NMSQT) for juniors. There are some other scholarships linked to the PSAT; click here to learn more. If you allow your PSAT scores to be released to colleges, some may start contacting you based on your score, but this is not an offer of admission. Colleges do not use PSAT scores for admission.
Can the PSAT predict the SAT score? Read this article to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions about the SAT/ACT
How many times should I take the SAT/ACT?
Most students will want to take it 2-3 times, usually toward the end of junior year and beginning of senior year. You should not take the test several times to improve your score; you should study before the test to maximize your score. To learn more:
Article FAQ: How Many Times Should a Student Take the SAT or ACT?
Article “Retake the SAT & ACT”
How do colleges get my SAT/ACT scores?
Through SAT/ACT, you arrange to have your scores sent to the schools of your choice. Be sure to submit scores by the deadlines established by each school, usually in fall or winter of your senior year. Check the freshman admissions page of the school’s website for deadlines.
What’s a good score?
A “good score” is subjective and depends on how competitive it is to get into the colleges of your choice. Click here to look at information for specific colleges. After you pick a school, click on Applying in the left sidebar, then on the SAT & ACT tab to see the score range that is typical for students admitted to that school.
Scholarships
Most scholarships are not directly linked to the PSAT, SAT, or ACT. Some scholarship applications may ask to see these scores, but many do not.