The American College Testing (A.C.T.) has been a fixture in American college admissions for decades. Defined by its 0-36 scoring system and mixture of Reading, English, Science, and Mathematics, few exams are a more integral part of college application season.  

However parents and educators have an important question: just how essential are A.C.T. scores  to present-day higher education? Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly half of all American colleges and universities did not require standardized testing for admissions. This number increased substantially afterward, with nearly 81% of higher education institutions maintaining this policy even after the pandemic faded.  

Is taking on college application season without an A.C.T. score the way to go in 2026? Let’s break it down. 

The Rise of Test Optional & Why S.A.T./A.C.T. Scores Still Matter

Why has the percentage of test-optional colleges in America nearly doubled in just five years? Much like video calls, masking-up, and social distancing, part of this growth was a product of the pandemic. Many colleges have kept such policies in place for a few other reasons as well: 

• In much of America, government lockdowns started between the prime A.C.T. testing time of February-April 2020.. Fewer available testing dates meant fewer students had a chance to test. 
• Colleges no longer solely looked at academic performance. Community service, extracurricular activities, portfolios, and other, more well-rounded indicators of a student’s potential because increasingly important in the admissions process.  

• To attract students from more diverse backgrounds, many schools removed standardized testing to be more inclusive.  

Despite these key shifts, “test-optional” does not mean “test-ignored”. A good A.C.T. score still holds substantial weight to admissions officers: 

• Grade inflation has resulted in the average high school GPA rising from 2.68 to 3.1 between 1990 and today. Standardized testing gives students a chance to further distinguish themselves. 
• Just because colleges don’t require tests doesn’t mean admission is easier. Boston College accepted 31% of Early Decision Applicants in its class of 2029-but just 11% of Regular Decision applicants. This is an all-time low.  
• Most college applicants still generally take tests. At the University of Florida, 79% of students submitted S.A.T. scores, and another 41% submitted an A.C.T.  

Many elite colleges are beginning to require S.A.T. or A.C.T. scores again. Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, and Cornell-five of the seven Ivies-have reinstated testing mandates. Following them are other prestigious names like Caltech, Georgetown, and MIT. Students looking to get into a big-name school once again need an impressive S.A.T. or A.C.T. score to increase their chances of admission. 

S.A.T. vs. A.C.T.: What You Need to Know

In 2024, the A.C.T. announced a series of major changes to the exam that would go into effect the following spring: 

• The option to take the test either through pen and paper or digitally
• 44 fewer questions and more time given to answer each. 
• Four multiple choice answers instead of five for the math portion. 
• An optional Science portion. 
• A shorter length of 2hours and 40 minutes if taken with the science segment.  

Reactions to these changes have been mixed amongst students and educators. While many students appreciate the shorter test time and making the science section optional, others have argued this undermines the test’s ability to adequately measure applicant’s abilities and lowers admission standards. Despite this, the A.C.T. remains a strong asset for college admissions. 

The changes instituted make the A.C.T. closer to the S.A.T. in structure and pacing. Prior to 2025, the A.C.T. was nearly 3 hours in length, while the S.A.T. is typically administered in 2hours  14 minutes.  

The S.A.T. also offers over 30 seconds per question. This is substantially more time offered compared to the A.C.T.. The S.A.T. has also never had a science portion, instead having a reading, writing, language, and math section. 

The recent A.C.T. changes represent a greater standardization of testing across the board, making both exams wonderful options for applicants and educators.  

Why the A.C.T. Still Delivers Real Advantages 

College admissions and acceptance are not the only benefit a good A.C.T. score can bring. Many colleges offer generous financial aid and scholarships to high scorers. The University of Alabama’s Out-Of-State Freshman Automatic Scholarships grant substantial tuition money to any out-of-state student who: 

• Scored above 25 on the A.C.T. 
• Scored above 1200 on the S.A.T. 
• Earned a high school GPA of more than 3.5 

At minimum, students who score at this range can expect $6,000 to be eliminated from their yearly tuition. The highest offering is a full ride, for any student with a perfect score on either test or a 4.0 GPA. 

Tests like the A.C.T. and S.A.T. are also educational experiences that build valuable personal skills. Being able to succeed at any standardized test requires time management, critical thinking, and a thorough knowledge of the subject matter at hand. These are transferrable skills that can be useful long after the last test question is answered. 

Taking A.C.T.ion

4 out of 5 colleges and universities in the United States have adopted test-optional policies. Even after the COVID pandemic, many have not given up these principles.  

Many students also struggle with whether the A.C.T. would be a better fit for their specific abilities and strengths. The 2025 changes to the A.C.T. may have also confused prospecting applicants. 

Nonetheless, the A.C.T. remains a strong option for students during the 2025-26 college application season. Though not a requirement for most American colleges, admissions officers prefer students to have them, and most students continue to opt for them.  

Are you a student, parent, or educator looking for A.C.T. help? Test Prep Score’s low-stress, thirty-minute tutoring sessions helps students build the skills they need to succeed in a low-stress, confidence-building environment.  

We at Test Prep Score believe in the value of educational success, tutoring, and test prep. Looking for an in-person or online tutor in your area? No matter where you are or what subject you are looking to pursue, we offer a plethora of options.