Do the SAT and ACT Still Matter in 2025?

If you’re a high school student or a parent navigating the college admissions maze in 2025, you’ve likely heard that many schools are “test-optional.” It sounds liberating, right? No SAT or ACT? Less pressure?

Not so fast.

While the number of test-optional schools remains high—about 80% of U.S. four-year colleges as of 2025—there’s a growing movement among selective colleges to reinstate testing requirements. Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, MIT, and the University of Texas at Austin are just a few high-profile names returning to mandatory SAT/ACT submissions.

The bottom line? Standardized tests still matter. In fact, if you’re aiming to maximize your admissions and scholarship opportunities, they may be more important than ever.

Test-Optional Does Not Mean Test-Irrelevant

After going test-optional, most competitive colleges saw skyrocketing applications—along with increased average SAT/ACT scores and lower acceptance rates. Easier to apply? Sure. Easier to get in? Not even close.

Let’s look at the numbers:

• Georgetown accepted students who submitted SAT/ACT scores at twice the rate of those who didn’t^[1].

• The University of Pennsylvania saw similar trends, accepting score-submitters at 1.6x the rate^[2].

• For the class of 2028, Dartmouth admitted 17% of Early Decision applicants—but only 4% of Regular Decision applicants.

What’s more, GPA inflation has made it harder for students to stand out. The average high school GPA has steadily risen over the past few decades—from 2.68 in 1990 to over 3.1 today^[3]. In fact, nearly 40% of students now graduate with a GPA of 3.5 or higher^[4]. So, how does a student distinguish themselves in a world where everyone looks like a straight-A student on paper?

That’s where test scores come in.

The Strategic Value of Taking the SAT or ACT

Even in a test-optional world, standardized tests offer a suite of strategic benefits:

1. Boost Admissions Chances at Competitive Schools

Selective schools don’t just allow test scores—they often prefer them. Colleges like Duke, Cornell, Purdue, and Yale explicitly encourage score submissions. Others, like the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, require scores for admission to certain programs.

Strong test scores demonstrate academic readiness and offer a standardized metric across diverse high school curricula. They give admissions officers confidence that you’re prepared to succeed.

2. Unlock Scholarships and Financial Aid

Standardized test scores still unlock substantial scholarships—many of which aren't available without them. For instance:

• The Alaska Performance Scholarship allows students to qualify with either SAT/ACT scores or GPA for eligibility. A higher SAT or ACT score can allow a student with a lower GPA to still qualify for level 1 funding, resulting in a total award amount of $28,000 over four years.

• Bright Futures Scholarships in Florida set minimum SAT/ACT score thresholds for eligibility and award tiers.

• Out-of-state WUE programs at Montana State, University of Wyoming, and Western Washington University rely on SAT/ACT scores to determine award tiers and eligibility.

The message is clear: test scores can directly impact how much you pay for college. Skipping the SAT or ACT could mean leaving thousands of dollars in scholarships and financial aid on the table. By taking the test, you keep doors open—not just for admissions, but for critical financial opportunities that can impact where you can afford to attend.

3. Stand Out in a Crowded Field of High GPAs

When everyone’s GPA is above 3.5, test scores can provide a crucial edge. This is particularly true at schools seeing record-breaking application volumes since going test-optional. Standardized tests reintroduce a valuable point of comparison.

As noted in the NACAC’s most recent “State of College Admission” report:

• 69.2% of colleges still rate SAT/ACT scores as an important admissions factor.

• This places test scores just behind GPA and curriculum rigor, and ahead of essays, interviews, and extracurriculars.

4. Aid in Course Placement and Academic Advising

Even at test-optional institutions, SAT/ACT scores are often used for course placement—especially in math and English. Strong scores may allow students to skip introductory courses, saving both time and tuition.

5. Personal Growth

Beyond admissions and scholarships, the SAT and ACT also serve as powerful tools for personal growth. Preparing for these tests helps students build critical thinking, time management, and resilience skills that are invaluable in college and beyond.

When and How Often Should Students Take the Test?

Ideal Timing: For most students, the best time to take their first official SAT or ACT is spring of junior year. This timing gives students time to complete Algebra II (which both tests include) and leaves room for 1–2 additional test attempts before senior year deadlines.

How Many Times? Most students see their highest scores after 2–3 test sittings. Thanks to “superscoring” (where colleges combine a student’s best section scores across multiple test sittings), even small section improvements can make a big difference. (Find out how superscoring gives students an edge at test-optional colleges)

Learn more about when your student should take the SAT/ACT—and how many times most students test.

SAT vs. ACT: Do Colleges Prefer One?

Nope. All four-year colleges—including every Ivy League institution—accept the SAT and ACT equally. There’s no preference. The decision should come down to which test better fits your student’s strengths—something we help you determine with diagnostic practice testing.

Need help deciding which test is right for your student? We break down the differences between the SAT and ACT here

What About Test Anxiety and Accommodations?

If your student experiences test anxiety or has a diagnosed learning difference, accommodations like extended time or breaks can make a meaningful difference—and are available on both the SAT and ACT with approved documentation. Working with a qualified tutor can also build confidence through repeated exposure and personalized strategies.

Even for students without a formal diagnosis, test anxiety can impact performance. That’s why practice testing and small wins during prep can be transformative.

Learn strategies for managing test anxiety and how accommodations can help.

What If My Student Tests, But Doesn’t Submit Scores?

This is a common concern. Colleges can only see scores that are officially submitted through College Board or ACT. If your student takes a test but isn’t happy with their score, it won’t hurt their application—unless they choose to send it.

Taking the test simply gives your student the option to submit scores. It doesn’t obligate them to do so.

What happens if you take the test but don’t submit scores? Here’s what colleges actually see.

Test-Optional ≠ Test-Blind

There’s a critical distinction between “test-optional” and “test-blind.”

• Test-optional means scores are welcomed and considered.

• Test-blind (like the UC system) means scores are not considered at all.

Most colleges are not test-blind. If you can achieve a strong SAT or ACT score, submitting it will help. And here’s a key insight: it’s easier to improve a test score than your GPA late in high school. The earlier you begin preparing, the more runway you’ll have.

How Much Improvement Is Realistic with Prep?

Results vary based on student effort and baseline, but here’s what we see at Frontier Tutoring:

• Group class students average a 100–150 point improvement on the SAT

• Private tutoring students often exceed that, especially when starting early

• ACT prep students see average gains of 3–5 points

Improvement depends on consistency, engagement, and the quality of instruction—but the results can be game-changing when done right.

Curious how much your student could improve with test prep? See real results here.

What About the Digital SAT?

2024 ushered in a new era for the SAT: it’s now digital. The test is shorter (2 hours and 14 minutes), adaptive by section, and maintains the same scoring scale (400–1600). While some students may prefer the familiarity of paper, many have found the digital SAT easier to navigate—with fewer questions and a calculator allowed throughout the math section.

For current 10th and 11th graders, the digital SAT is now standard. Practicing on the digital format is essential, and the College Board’s online resources, combined with guided instruction, make the transition smooth.

Digital-specific prep strategies include:

• Practicing with an on-screen calculator and formula sheet

• Managing section-adaptive pacing (where the difficulty of the second module depends on your first module performance)

• Getting comfortable with the Bluebook app interface used on test day

At Frontier Tutoring, our digital SAT programs mirror the official testing environment to ensure students are fully prepared—both strategically and technically.

Read more about how the digital SAT works—and how to prepare for it in 2025

How to Get Started: Practice, Plan, and Prepare

At Frontier Tutoring, we help students determine whether the SAT or ACT better suits their strengths and create a personalized prep strategy based on their goals. Here’s the proven roadmap:

Step 1: Take a Practice Test

Before you can set goals, you need a baseline. That’s why the first step we recommend is taking a full-length, proctored practice SAT or ACT. It’s the best way to identify which test is your best fit—and where you stand today.

👉 Sign up for a free practice SAT or ACT

You’ll receive a custom score report with analytics and a dedicated score analysis meeting with one of our experts to help contextualize your scores. For many students, this is the key moment that helps them take charge of their testing strategy.

Step 2: Set Your Target Score

Once you know your baseline, determine your target based on:

• Admission ranges at your colleges of interest

• Scholarship eligibility cutoffs (like Alaska Performance or Bright Futures)

• Superscore policies (where colleges combine your highest section scores across multiple test dates)

Use concordance tables to compare your SAT and ACT scores if you’ve taken both.

Step 3: Choose Your Study Strategy

There are three common approaches:

• Go Pro – Best for students who want expert guidance, structure, and proven results. At Frontier Tutoring we offer small-group SAT prep classes (details & schedule here) as well as one-on-one SAT/ACT prep which is tailored to each student's goals and learning style (learn more).

• Study on Your Own – Ideal for highly motivated students with strong study skills. Here at Frontier Tutoring, we offer an SAT/ACT self-study package which comes with two full-length practice tests, our proprietary prep workbook, and hundreds of practice problems and worksheets (get started here).

• Try Both – Start with self-study and add tutoring if needed. If you register for a Frontier Tutoring self-study program and realize you want to upgrade to guided support, we will credit the cost of the self-study program towards your purchase of either one-on-one prep or a small-group class.

Frontier Tutoring has been helping Alaskan students achieve their best possible SAT/ACT scores for over 15 years. We are a proudly locally-owned business, and look forward to helping your student with their college admissions journey!

Final Thoughts: Play the Long Game

Students and parents often ask, “Do I really have to take the SAT or ACT if my colleges don’t require it?”

Here’s the most strategic way to think about it:

• You don’t have to submit your scores if you don’t like them.

• But you can’t submit scores you didn’t take.

That optionality is powerful. It gives you control and flexibility. And if you're applying to competitive programs, aiming for scholarships, or just want to make your application stand out, SAT/ACT scores can be a game-changer.

Test-optional isn’t test-free. If you want to keep your options  open—and increase your chances of admission and scholarships—prepare for the SAT or ACT, and give yourself the opportunity to shine. The SAT and ACT are more than just tests—they’re opportunities to invest in your future, open new doors, and demonstrate your readiness for what comes next.

You’ve got one shot at this. Let’s make it count.