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Below are some thoughts on topics that students and parents often ask. Before making a decision you should consult various resources (teachers, tutors, guidance counselors, college counselors, college admissions offices, etc.) as appropriate. The topics and my opinions about them are generic, and may not apply very well to your specific situation.

ACT vs. SAT planning for rising juniors (class of 2025)

Choosing between the ACT and SAT standardized tests has always been a challenge for students, but rising juniors in the graduating class of 2025 face a particularly difficult decision because the SAT is changing.  In October 2023, juniors will be taking a digital PSAT and in March 2024 juniors will be taking a digital SAT.  You can find lots of information about the digital SAT here https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital , but the highlights are that it will be administered online, it will be about one hour shorter, long reading passages and long word problems in math have been eliminated, and you can use the Desmos calculator or your own calculator for all math questions. For the 2023-2024 academic year, students will have three target options:  ACT, SAT and digital SAT. 

My advice is this:

  • ·If your rising junior has completed Algebra 2, then you should choose between the ACT and the current SAT, assuming that you have time to prepare over the summer and fall.  If you choose SAT make certain that you finish testing by December 2023.  If you do not have time to prepare over the summer or fall, then you should choose between the ACT and the digital SAT.

  • If your rising junior has not completed Algebra 2, then you should choose between ACT and the digital SAT, but you should not make your choice until the winter.  This is because approximately 70% of the math on the standardized tests is Algebra.

What about the PSAT?

If your rising junior is at the top 10% of his/her class or wants to compete for a scholarship, then it makes sense to prepare for the digital PSAT.  Otherwise, just treat the digital PSAT as an opportunity to experience digital adaptive testing. Right now, the best preparation materials are the College Board materials published for the digital SAT.  However, there should be some official PSAT materials released over the summer of 2023. 

Richard CornComment