SAT & ACT Are Back: A Family Guide

If your family assumed the SAT and ACT were on their way out, you are not alone. During the test-optional years, plenty of students skipped testing entirely. At the most selective colleges, however, that era is ending. Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, MIT, and Penn have all reinstated an SAT or ACT requirement, and Princeton and Columbia plan to do the same beginning with the 2027–2028 admissions cycle.

These reversals were driven by evidence. After reviewing their own applicant and student outcomes, these universities concluded that scores help them spot students who are ready to succeed — including high-achieving students at under-resourced high schools who might otherwise be overlooked. Test-optional policies, their research suggested, had not produced the equity benefits many expected. The practical lesson for parents: build testing into your student's plan now instead of waiting to see what happens next.

Step One: Try Both Tests Before Choosing

The smartest way to pick between the SAT and ACT is to let your student experience each one. Kim Magloire advises every student to sit for a brief, timed practice version of both exams in a quiet setting that mimics test day. Afterward, compare two things: the results, and how comfortable your student felt during each test.

In most cases, a favorite emerges quickly. Because colleges treat the two exams as equals, sending scores from both offers no extra edge. The goal is to find the test that suits your student's strengths and then focus all preparation on it. Splitting time between two exams tends to dilute effort — and two middling scores are far less useful than one excellent one.

Step Two: Pinpoint the Topics and Question Types to Improve

Choosing a test is only the beginning. The real progress comes from studying the practice results closely. Go through each incorrect answer and ask why it was missed:

• Content gaps — material your student has not covered yet or no longer remembers.
• Question-type traps — recurring formats built to mislead, such as tempting "almost correct" answers on the SAT or time-heavy science passages on the ACT.
• Pacing problems — sections where time ran short or the final questions were rushed.

One factor many families overlook is how their student's school math sequence affects test readiness. In Alabama, for instance, students typically take Geometry with Data Analysis in 9th grade under the standard pathway — or in 8th grade on an accelerated track. Because geometry is tested heavily on both the SAT and ACT, a student who completed the course years earlier may need to refresh those skills, while a student still in the course may not have covered every topic the exam tests. Knowing where your student stands in this sequence helps you target the right gaps from the start.

Sorting mistakes this way transforms a raw score into a clear roadmap. Your student stops reviewing everything and starts working on the specific skills that will raise the score fastest. This is the heart of the QLV Pattern Recognition™ method. Since Quantum Leap Vault works with students nationally, Kim Magloire has found that the gaps often depend on when certain topics were taught in high school. Based on data from the Alabama State Department of Education, for example, some states sequence math courses differently than others. "When we first onboard students for SAT or ACT prep we ask, when did you take Geometry? Some students from southern states learned geometry in 9th grade. That means they don't remember many of the rules related to those topics on the test. Interestingly, bright math students are fast-tracked and take geometry in 8th grade but may not remember some of the relevant equations required for the ACT or SAT. We therefore use that information to review those topics first." By targeting exactly what each student needs to master, many of our students raise their scores in weeks rather than months.

Remember: The Score Is One Part of the Application

Parents often fear that a single number will decide everything. It will not. Selective colleges review applications holistically, weighing many factors together. A four-year record of strong grades remains the most important element, and essays, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations all play meaningful roles. Colleges have found that test scores add useful context — particularly for students from high schools with fewer resources — but a score alone rarely determines an admissions decision.

A strong result strengthens everything else in the file and can open additional doors. It also brings a benefit many families overlook: high scores often qualify students for merit scholarships, which can significantly reduce the cost of college. Take the test seriously, but keep it in proportion.

Deciding Whether to Retake

A disappointing first score is not the end of the story. Students frequently do better the second time because the format, timing, and their own problem areas are now familiar.

To decide, compare your student's score with the typical ranges at the colleges on their list. If a higher number would noticeably improve admissions chances or scholarship eligibility, plan a retake — with a strategy. Repeating the exam without fixing what went wrong usually produces a similar result. Analyze the errors, practice the weak areas, and then test again, making sure the new test date leaves plenty of room before application deadlines.

Supporting Your Teen Without Adding Stress

Help your student see the SAT or ACT as a skill that grows with practice rather than a judgment of their intelligence. Focus on steady structure instead of pressure: protect a regular study schedule, encourage good sleep and breaks, and recognize improvement on practice tests rather than dwelling on a target number. Consistent, calm support does more for results than worry ever could.

The Bottom Line: Prepare Early and Strategically

Instead of worrying about new testing requirements, put that energy into preparation. The SAT and ACT are highly coachable, and the right approach makes a real difference. With our QLV Pattern Recognition™ method, we find the patterns and weak spots unique to each student and build preparation around them — which is why so many of our students improve in weeks, not months. Begin early, prepare with a plan, and view a strong score as a key that unlocks both admissions opportunities and scholarship dollars.

For more background, read our earlier post on universities reinstating test score requirements.

Ready to build a test-prep plan that fits your student?

Book a consultation with Quantum Leap Vault → and we will create a personalized strategy to maximize your score.