ACT/SAT Information

Many four-year colleges and some two-year technical schools require some form of admissions testing either to assist in determining admissibility or for awarding merit scholarships. Test scores, along with high school grades and other achievements, are used in the admission decision-making process. The most widely accepted admissions tests are the ACT and the SAT. 

The ACT 

Duration: Testing time is 2 hours, 5 minutes (not counting breaks or time for reading directions and handing out/collecting test materials)

Measures: Each of the ACT tests is constructed to measure knowledge and skills typically taught in high school that are important for successfully completing a college education.

Content Areas: English, Mathematics, and Reading. The Science and Writing sections are optional as of September 2025.  

Tools: Approved calculators may be used for the Math section.

Please click here for 2025-2026 ACT National Test Dates.

Students who wish to take the ACT on a National Test Date must register here. Marian Central Catholic is no longer a test site for the National ACT in April*. If a student has a documented learning disability and wishes to take the test with accommodations, an application must be filled out and coordinated with the Mr. Taylor, Academic Resource Director and submitted to ACT for consideration.  More information is available here.  

*New for 2026: All Juniors (Class of 2027) at Marian Central will be taking the ACT during the school day on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. We want to give all of our students the best opportunities for college admissions and scholarships and to provide valuable data to improve instruction at Marian Central.. Students will be taking the enhanced version of the ACT (English, Math, Reading) as well as the optional Science and Writing sections of the test. The test will begin at 8:00am and conclude at approximately Noon.  Students will have lunch after the test and then will continue with the remainder of the school day. No registration is necessary for the April 21 school day ACT at Marian Central. More information will be shared with students and parents regarding the school day ACT in early 2026. 

The SAT

Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes

Measures: The SAT Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well students analyze and solve problems.

Content Areas: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing

Tools: Approved calculators may be used for the Mathematics section

Please click here for 2024-2025 SAT test dates.

Students who wish to take the SAT test (on any scheduled test date) must register here. Marian Central Catholic is not a test site for the SAT.  If the student has a documented learning disability and wishes to take the test with accommodations, an application must be filled out, coordinated with the Mr. Taylor (Academic Resource Director), and submitted to the College Board for consideration.  More information about accommodations is available here.

Which Test is Right for Me?

Colleges don't prefer one test over another. Even though Illinois requires that all public-school students take the ACT, colleges/universities will accept scores from either test. Every student is different; there's no "one size fits all" approach when it comes to the ACT or SAT. 

This article can provide insight into which test might be a better fit. For students who opt to take both tests, the ACT/SAT score comparison chart will help students see which test they actually performed better on. 

ACT/SAT Test Preparation

The most effective preparation method is to fully apply yourself in your present high school courses at Marian Central. Beyond this, many of your teachers will be going over practice strategies with you in your classes. Opportunities for preparation and free practice tests are available on the ACT and SAT websites.

Click this link for a short list of ACT/SAT test preparation resources that the Guidance Department has been notified about. (Marian provides these ACT/SAT preparation resources as a courtesy/convenience for Marian students and their families. Marian does not endorse any ACT preparation resources).

SAT offers online test preparation through Khan Academy, a free SAT prep resource.

Test Optional/Flexible Colleges & Universities

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest) advances quality education and equal opportunity by promoting fair, open, valid and educationally beneficial evaluations of students, teachers and schools. FairTest also works to end the misuses and flaws of testing practices that impede those goals.

FairTest maintains a database of colleges and universities that employ test optional or test flexible admission policies. Please see Mr. Wochner to learn more about how and why schools go test optional and the benefits of applying to schools under test optional admission policies.