SAT / ACT Test Scores. Are they still required?
- Mike Brooks
- Jul 14, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 20, 2025
SAT / ACT Test Scores. Are they still required?
2026 College Eligibility Requirements and Options
In the past, first-year players who wanted to practice, compete, and receive athletic financial aid at most four-year colleges had to meet a minimum SAT or ACT score requirement. The athletes’ high school GPA would determine the qualifying test score — the higher a student’s GPA, the lower their required test score would need to be.
However, as COVID-19 struck the world, many colleges waived the testing requirement. Many places where students usually take the SAT or ACT had shut down, limiting students’ access to the exams.
In fact, the NCAA has permanently removed the requirement for first-year Division I and II athletes to earn a qualifying SAT or ACT score.
While the NCAA isn't making the SAT or ACT mandatory, some colleges continue to require these scores for admission and scholarships, and some top-ranked colleges and universities still require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores.
In the fall of 2024, over 1,900 U.S. colleges and universities had decided not to require SAT or ACT scores for admission for the fall 2024 semester. In fact, more than 80% of four-year colleges made selection decisions without relying on ACT/SAT results.
Moreover, some schools have adopted a "test-optional" policy, which means they do not require students to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission; however, they may still offer academic scholarships based on test scores.
UPDATE FOR THE CLASS OF 2026:
Some colleges are reinstating test score requirements: Prestigious institutions like Brown, Cornell , Dartmouth , Harvard , MIT , University of Pennsylvania , Stanford , and Yale , amongst others, are requiring standardized tests (SAT or ACT) for applicants in the 2025-2026 application cycle.
Many schools remain test-optional or test-blind: Despite the trend of some colleges requiring tests, many still offer test-optional or even test-blind admissions for the 2026 cycle and beyond.
Test-Optional: This means you can choose whether or not to submit your SAT or ACT scores. If you submit them, they will be considered as part of your overall application, alongside factors like GPA, essays, and extracurricular activities.
Test-Blind: These schools do not consider or even review SAT/ACT scores, regardless of whether you submit them. The University of California system is a prominent example of test-blind admissions.
Public University Systems: Some public university systems, like those in Florida and Georgia , have reinstated mandatory SAT/ACT requirements.
Recommendations for the class of 2026
Check each college's specific requirements: The most reliable way to determine a college's testing policy is to check its official admissions website.
Consider taking the SAT or ACT: Even if the schools you're interested in are test-optional, a strong SAT or ACT score can enhance your application, especially if it showcases strengths not fully reflected in other parts of your application. Some test-optional schools also use test scores for scholarship consideration.
Focus on other aspects of your application: Regardless of test requirements, remember that colleges use a holistic review process. Strong grades, challenging coursework, compelling essays, meaningful extracurricular activities, and insightful letters of recommendation are always important components of a strong application.
Don't send scores prematurely: When you take the SAT or ACT, you're usually given free score reports. However, it's generally best to wait until you apply to decide whether or not to submit your scores, allowing you to maintain the option of applying test-optional if needed.
The landscape of college admissions testing is still evolving, so staying informed about the policies of the specific colleges you're interested in is essential for the class of 2026.
Prospective student-athletes are strongly advised to check directly with specific institutions and scholarship programs for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements.
You may still submit your SAT or ACT scores to colleges that have a test-optional policy.
Here are some scenarios when you might consider submitting your scores:
You’re Applying to Highly Selective Schools:
If you are considering applying to a test-optional college with a low acceptance rate (less than 30%) that is highly selective, and your SAT/ACT scores fall within the middle 50% ranges (or higher) of the schools you are applying to, it is advisable to submit your scores. This will increase your chances of being admitted to these colleges.
They’re Required for Merit-Based Aid:
It is essential to note that although some universities and colleges have waived the requirement for standardized test scores for admission, they may still require them for merit-based scholarships. To avoid missing out on such opportunities, it is highly recommended that you directly contact each school and inquire about its scholarship requirements. Remember, submitting your test scores can significantly increase your chances of being considered for a scholarship.
You Fall in or Above the Middle 50%:
Many colleges provide SAT/ACT score percentiles for admitted and enrolled students. If your scores fall within the middle 50%, submit them.
The Rest of Your Application Is Less Impressive:
If you think that some parts of your college application are not strong enough, such as your personal essays, you might want to consider submitting your SAT/ACT scores if they fall within the middle 50% range of the school, even if they are on the lower side.
However, if you believe that your scores are not up to par or do not accurately reflect your academic abilities, you should omit them. Remember that the decision to submit your scores ultimately depends on you, and you should consider your individual circumstances and the specific requirements of the colleges to which you are applying.
A “good” SAT score can vary depending on the colleges you’re interested in and your personal goals. However, here are some general guidelines:
Above Average: Any SAT score above the 50th percentile, or median, can be considered a decent score since this means you’ve performed better than the majority of test-takers.
Good: A good SAT score is generally considered to be 1210 or higher, which would put you in the top 25% of all test-takers.
Very Good: Scoring in the 75th percentile, or 1200 or higher, is typically considered very good.
Excellent: A score of 1350 would put you in the top 10% of test-takers and help make your application competitive at more selective schools.
Perfect: A “perfect” score on the SAT is the maximum score of 1600.
Your SAT score, which ranges from 400 to 1600, is the sum of your two section scores: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW). Each section uses a scale of 200-800 in 10-point increments.
A “good” ACT score can vary depending on the colleges and universities you are considering. Here are some general guidelines:
The highest possible score on the ACT is 36.
The current average ACT score is 19.5.
A score of 23 on the ACT is above the current national average and will make you a strong applicant at many universities. However, it may fall below the average score for accepted students at more selective colleges. For instance, selective Ivy League colleges typically have ACT Composite scores ranging from 33 to 36.
Scores below a 15 on the ACT are considered low at just about any four-year college.
Remember, a good ACT score is one that puts you within the average range of scores for the colleges of your choice. It’s always a good idea to check out the ACT score ranges for the schools on your wish list and see how your scores compare.
The ACT and SAT are both standardized tests used for college admissions in the United States, but they do have some differences:
Test Structure:
The ACT includes sections on English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning, with an optional essay.
The SAT includes sections on Reading, Writing & Language, and Math, with no science section. Some math questions on the SAT don’t allow you to use a calculator.
Scoring:
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400–1600.
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1–36.
Content and Style.
The SAT relies more on evidence-based questions and content-based questions, as well as multi-step problem-solving.
The ACT tests students on their understanding of their high school curriculum.
Choosing Between ACT and SAT:
Both exams are widely accepted by U.S. colleges.
Neither the SAT nor the ACT is more difficult than the other.
Different students tend to perform better on one test than on another.
It’s recommended to take a timed, full-length practice test of each type to decide which test is a better fit.
Remember, colleges do not prefer one test over the other. It’s always a good idea to check the average scores for the schools on your wish list and compare them to your own.
The duration of the ACT and SATs are as follows:
ACT:
The ACT is 3 hours long (technically 2 hours and 55 minutes). Including breaks, the exam takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete.
If you sign up for the optional essay (the ACT Plus Writing), the test clocks in at 3 hours and 40 minutes or just over 4 hours with breaks.
SAT:
The total time for the SAT is 3 hours, not including breaks.
If you choose to sign up for the optional essay, the SAT takes 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete (or 4 hours and 5 minutes with breaks).
These durations include the time for reading instructions and breaks. It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the structure and timing of the test before the test day.
The number of questions in each section of the ACT and SAT tests are as follows:
ACT:
English: 75 multiple-choice questions
Math: 60 multiple-choice questions
Reading: 40 multiple-choice questions
Science: 40 multiple-choice questions
Writing (Optional): 1 free-response essay
SAT:
Reading: 52 multiple-choice questions
Writing & Language: 44 multiple-choice questions
Math: 58 multiple-choice questions (broken up into a 20-question No-Calculator section and a 38-question Calculator-allowed section)
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