The Return of Testing Requirements: How Students Should Choose Between the SAT and ACT

As many top universities reinstate standardized testing requirements, our proven strategy—trying both the SAT and ACT to discover the best fit—remains more relevant than ever, with a key modern update.

For years, More Than A Teacher has advised students to take practice versions of both the SAT and ACT, compare their scores, and focus their test preparation on the exam where they demonstrate higher potential. We support this approach by providing regular practice tests at our offices and partner schools, followed by personalized score consultations. During the pandemic, as many colleges adopted test-optional policies, guidance shifted toward testing only when required. However, we consistently recommended test preparation to unlock merit scholarship opportunities and strengthen overall applications. Now that leading institutions—including UT Austin and other top research universities—are requiring test scores again, test preparation is once again an essential element of a competitive college application.

So which test is right for you? Because grades and course difficulty rarely predict which exam a student will excel at, and with both tests undergoing recent formatting updates, comparing baseline scores is essential. Most students take the PSAT, which provides a useful benchmark for the SAT. Meanwhile, the ACT now offers multiple formats (digital vs. paper, as well as optional Science sections). To help you make an informed choice, we recommend taking a practice ACT with us to experience different test formats and the Science section risk-free before committing to hours of preparation.

Colleges will still accept both SAT and ACT scores for admission. Here’s another article to reinforce everything we’re recommending to our test prep students this school year (https://www.usnews.com/education/getting-in/articles/2026-09-10/act-sat-standardized-testing). Learn more about the differences between the tests and compare your scores using our updated SAT vs ACT comparison chart. Students can register here for a practice test to compare scores. Want more help? Sign up for a free webinar or contact us to learn more.