Many colleges require an SAT or ACT score to apply. However, a significant number of colleges are "test optional." This means that you can submit test scores if they help your application, or you can choose not to submit if you think your score does not reflect what you are capable of. When it comes to financial aid, having a strong SAT/ACT score can help you compete for merit-based scholarships.
All things considered, we recommend that all students planning to go to college take the SAT or ACT. If a school you're looking at requires it, you'll need it anyway. If the schools you apply to are test-optional, it can only help you if you score well.
Recommended college admissions testing timeline:
- 10th grade Fall: Take PSAT/NMSQT (register below!)
- 11th grade Spring: Take SAT or ACT
- 12th grade Fall (if desired): Take SAT or ACT again, if you want to improve your superscore!
For more information about the SAT and ACT, click on the link below. This will take you to a page on our LHS Postsecondary Counseling Website all about testing for college. There is lots of information on this site that will be helpful over the next two years, and all are encouraged to become familiar with it. Specifically about testing, it answers questions about how to register, when to take them, the difference between the SAT and ACT, and much more!
