ACT and SAT Information

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"Test Optional" Movement/Fair Test Colleges

ACT

How do I register? Click here for registration.

2024/2025 ACT Testing Dates
Test Dates	Registration Deadline	Deadline with Late fee	TIR?
September 14, 2024	August 9, 2024	August 25, 2024	Yes
October 26, 2024	September 20, 2024	October 7, 2024	No
December 14, 2024	November 8, 2024	November 22, 2024	Yes
February 8, 2025	January 3, 2025	January 20, 2025	Yes
April 5, 2025	February 28, 2025	March 16, 2025	No
June 14, 2025	May 9, 2025	May 26, 2025	No
July 12, 2025 except in NY	June 6, 2025	June 20, 2025	No

Students can choose between taking the ACT on paper or on a computer at certain testing locations. More information about ACT’s online testing option can be found here.

In July 2024, ACT announced changes coming to ACT in 2025 (optional Science section and shorter length). Read more here.

At The Core’s ACT “Tips”

Test Information Release (TIR)
Take advantage of the Test Information Release (TIR) report (see chart for available dates) for an additional $32 fee ($40 if ordered after the test date). You will receive “a digital copy of the multiple-choice test questions, your answers, a copy of your answer document, the answer key, and the conversion table used in determining your ACT scores. If you took the optional writing test, you will receive a copy of the writing prompt, the writing test scoring rubric, and your essay scores.” You can order the TIR as you order the test, and you have up to 6 months after the test to request the TIR.
Geometry Class
Consider having your student take the ACT as close as possible to their completion of Geometry class. They will have the advantage of not having forgotten what they learned. Here is the math content covered by the ACT and some practice math questions.

Shocked by the pacing
Nearly every student who takes the ACT the first time is shocked by the pacing – “it’s so many questions…I didn’t manage my time well enough this first time, but I will do better with that next time.” If possible, take a full real practice ACT before taking it on a national testing date.

Read more about “clock shock” in our blog post from BWS Education Consulting.

Note coming changes in Spring 2025 may impact test length.
Optional writing portion
In the past, At The Core would suggest always taking the essay portion of the exam at each exam sitting; however, now due to the limited number of colleges requiring the writing score, we recommend reviewing the list of colleges that still continue to require or recommend a writing score. Click here for ACT list. (These lists are subject to change–always check with the college.) Here are samples from ACT.

How do I prepare?

ACT Test Preparation includes sample questions, question of the day for practice, test taking tips, and descriptions of each test section
ACT Academy for free personalized ACT practice
Sample online format test questions
Visit our Friends of At The Core page for our preferred tutors.

SAT

How do I register? Click here for registration.

2024/2025 Digital SAT Testing Dates
Test Dates	Registration Deadline	Online Deadline with Late Fee
August 24, 2024	August 9, 2024	August 13, 2024
October 5, 2024	September 20, 2024	September 24, 2024
November 2, 2024	October 18, 2024	October 22, 2024
December 7, 2024	November 22, 2024	November 26, 2024
March 8, 2025	February 21, 2025	February 25, 2025
May 3, 2025	April 18, 2025	April 22, 2025
June 7, 2025	May 22, 2025	May 27, 2025

Students taking the digital SAT who need to borrow a device from College Board will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day.

Anticipated test dates for the remainder of 2025: August 23, October 4, November 8, and December 6.

Anticipated test dates for 2026: March 14, May 2, and June 6

At The Core’s SAT “Tips”

Question Answer Service (QAS)
The Question Answer Service (QAS) report is no longer available with the new DIGITAL SAT. However, you can order the report for certain past dates of paper test sitting for an additional $16 up to 5 months after the test has been taken. To order October’s report, log in to your College Board account to request it. You’ll receive an electronic copy of the questions and your answers, the correct answers, and information about the type and difficulty of questions.

How do I prepare?

SAT Test Preparation includes practice tests, study plan, and question of the day.
Download Blueboard to practice digital SAT.
Click here for some test day tips.
Be sure to check out Khan Academy^®, the official SAT practice source.
Visit our Friends of At The Core page for our preferred tutors.
Read more about the digital SAT

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT & National Merit® Scholarship Qualifying Test

What is it?

The PSAT/NMSQT is used to both practice for the SAT and to qualify for the National Merit® Scholarship Program.

How do I register? The testing is done through your home high school in October of your junior year (some have option of taking it in their sophomore year for practice).

At The Core’s PSAT/NMSQT “Tips”

Should my sophomore take the test?
If you were thinking of taking the test just to practice for the SAT, that’s fine! But, we recommend taking the regular SAT test itself. If you wanted your student to practice in order to qualify for the National Merit® Scholarship, take the PSAT/NMSQT.

You’re here because you need information on the high school to college transition. Join our mailing list to always get the latest!

Looking for a tutor?

What if the online ACT and SAT preparation tools aren’t enough?

Check out our “Friends of At The Core” or this list of local/national tutors and resources provided by the Olentangy Local School District.

At The Core’s tutor “Tips”

Be wary of any tutor who guarantees a certain score increase
One-on-one tutoring service
Consider whether your student will be best served in a group class or by using a one-on-one tutoring service. The cost for these services varies greatly and will be a factor, but so should your student’s learning style and your time frame.
Timing will be important!
Timing will be important! Don’t get into a tight spot and start looking for a tutor a few weeks before a testing date. They will be booked. Plan ahead….way ahead!

“Test Optional” Movement/Fair Test Colleges

What is it?

A growing number of colleges and universities recognize that some students may perform well academically but struggle with test-taking. Many schools will allow the student to apply without submitting any test scores (“test optional”) and a few will not accept any ACT/SAT scores at all (“test blind”).

The National Center for Fair and Open Testing calls these “Fair Test” schools. They have found that removing test scores from the picture allows for a more diverse student body, and they rely more heavily on GPA and class ranking as an indicator of college readiness. Read more about test optional in our blog post by clicking here.

On the flip side, some colleges have changed back to requiring test scores after a few years of being test optional. It can be challenging to wrap your head around whether to test or not. Our ACT/SAT testing webinar or a Private Consultation can help.

What schools are test optional?

The number is changing all the time but currently stands at over 1,920. Click here for a current list.

DISCLAIMER – The purpose of this resource library is to assist our college-bound families. At The Core LLC does not endorse any vendors or authors. We will gladly remove any link from this website upon request from the linked entity; this website is not sponsored or associated with any particular linked entity; and the existence of any particular link is simply intended to imply potential interest to the reader.

ACT and SAT Information

Get the latest testing news!

Need a deep dive and extra support on this topic?

Jump to a topic:

ACT

2024/2025 ACT Testing Dates

At The Core’s ACT “Tips”

How do I prepare?

Join our mailing list to always get the latest college planning news!

SAT

2024/2025 Digital SAT Testing Dates

At The Core’s SAT “Tips”

How do I prepare?

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT & National Merit® Scholarship Qualifying Test

What is it?

At The Core’s PSAT/NMSQT “Tips”

You’re here because you need information on the high school to college transition. Join our mailing list to always get the latest!

Looking for a tutor?

What if the online ACT and SAT preparation tools aren’t enough?

At The Core’s tutor “Tips”

“Test Optional” Movement/Fair Test Colleges

What is it?

What schools are test optional?

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