Should I Take the SAT/ACT?
by Jennifer L.
The SAT and ACT remain important opportunities to showcase your academic strengths and enhance your college application profile. Several prestigious institutions have reinstated standardized test requirements, making strong scores an essential part of the admissions process.
For instance, Harvard University has reintroduced the SAT/ACT requirement for applicants starting in the fall of 2025. Similarly, Stanford University, University of Texas-Austin, MIT, Caltech as well as the University of Pennsylvania have also reinstated their standardized testing requirements for the upcoming admissions cycles. Even where tests are optional, high scores can set you apart, demonstrate readiness for college-level work, and open doors to scholarships.
Whether you’re targeting selective universities or simply looking to strengthen your overall application, these exams can still play a valuable role in your college journey.
1. Strengthening Your Application
Test scores provide colleges with an additional data point when evaluating your readiness for academic success. At test-optional schools, submitting strong scores can complement your GPA, extracurricular involvement, and essays—helping you stand out in a competitive applicant pool. For students whose grades don’t fully reflect their academic abilities, the SAT or ACT offers another opportunity to demonstrate strengths.
2. Accessing Scholarships and Honors Programs
Beyond admissions, standardized test scores are often used to determine eligibility for merit-based scholarships and special programs. A qualifying score could translate into significant financial aid or admission to honors colleges with unique academic opportunities. Even if your target schools are test-optional, scholarships and honors programs may still require or recommend test scores, making the exams a worthwhile investment.
3. Preserving Flexibility
College lists often shift and change as you grow and priorities become clearer. You may initially focus on test-optional institutions but later decide to apply to a program, major, or university that requires scores. Taking the SAT or ACT in advance provides you with flexibility and peace of mind. Without a score, you risk limiting your options or scrambling to prepare at the last minute.
Final Thoughts
Although the admissions landscape has shifted, the SAT and ACT remain valuable tools for many students. Strong scores can strengthen your application, open doors to scholarships, and keep future opportunities available. The best way to decide is to take a practice test for both exams and assess where you perform best. With thoughtful planning, standardized testing can be an important part of your path to college.
