Big Changes Are Coming to the ACT and SAT: Here’s What You Need to Know

If you or your student will be taking the SAT or ACT in the next year or two, it’s essential to understand that these exams are undergoing some of the biggest changes in their history. Both tests have been redesigned to reflect new priorities and to better align with the digital age—and it’s more important than ever to prepare with up-to-date information.

Digital Delivery Is Here

One of the most striking changes is that both the SAT and ACT now have digital versions. In fact, the SAT has moved fully digital for nearly all test takers, while the ACT offers both a digital option and the traditional pencil-and-paper format. If you strongly prefer working with a physical test booklet, the ACT remains your only option to do so.

Substantially Shorter Tests

Another significant shift: both exams are now substantially shorter. The SAT has reduced its overall testing time and has eliminated the long reading passages that many students found daunting. Instead, students now encounter shorter passages paired with single questions, streamlining the reading experience and reducing fatigue.

Similarly, the ACT has trimmed the number of questions across its sections. Not only that, but students are given more time per question, making pacing and focus more manageable than in the past.

New Structure and Flexibility

Some additional structural changes are worth noting:

• The ACT Science section has become optional, joining the always-optional ACT essay as a component students can choose to skip.

• The SAT now offers many more testing dates, with schedules that vary widely depending on the student’s school and geographic location. This flexibility can be an advantage—but it also means that planning ahead is crucial.

How I Can Help

I’ve been teaching and tutoring for nearly 25 years, guiding students through every version of these exams, and this is not the first time I have helped students negotiate major changes to standardized tests.

I am intimately familiar with the content, the strategies that work, and—perhaps most important—how to adapt as these tests evolve.

Whether you’re unsure which test to take, how the new formats will affect your pacing, or which testing dates make sense for your goals, I can help you navigate the options and build a preparation plan that fits this new environment.

If you’d like to talk about your student’s needs or set up a session to get oriented to the latest versions of the SAT and ACT, please reach out. I’m here to help you feel confident about what comes next.