2026 Should You Submit SAT or ACT Scores in 2026?

The short answer is: submit SAT or ACT scores if they strengthen the academic story your application already tells. In test-optional admissions, "optional" means the college will review your application without scores, not that scores have no value. A strong score can support your GPA, show readiness for college-level work, and help colleges compare students from different high schools.

The best decision depends on how your score compares with the college's admitted-student range. Most colleges publish a middle 50% score range, meaning 25% of admitted students scored below that range, 50% scored within it, and 25% scored above it. If your score lands near the top of that range or above it, submitting is usually smart. If it falls far below the range and the school is truly test-optional, withholding may be better.

Use this decision framework before you click submit or withhold. It helps separate useful scores from scores that may distract from stronger parts of your file:

1. Find the college's latest admitted-student SAT or ACT middle 50% range on its admissions website or Common Data Set.
2. Compare your highest composite or superscored result with that range, using the college's stated score-use policy.
3. Submit if your score is within the middle 50% range, above it, or meaningfully stronger than your GPA and course rigor suggest.
4. Consider withholding if your score is well below the 25th percentile and the college confirms that not submitting will not disadvantage you.
5. Check whether the same score is required for scholarships, honors colleges, direct-entry majors, NCAA processes, or state aid programs.

Students sometimes focus so much on testing that they forget the bigger decision: what kind of academic path they are trying to enter. If you are still comparing majors and long-term outcomes, reviewing good degrees to get can help you connect admissions strategy with a realistic college plan.

A common mistake is assuming a test-optional college prefers applicants without scores. In reality, colleges often say they will evaluate either path, but a submitted score can still be useful when it confirms academic readiness. Another mistake is submitting a score just because it is "good" nationally; what matters is whether it is competitive for that specific college and program.

Some colleges still require standardized test scores, and more institutions have been revisiting test policies as they study academic performance, equity, and placement outcomes. For 2026 applicants, the safest rule is to verify each college's current policy directly before finalizing a testing plan. Policies can differ for first-year applicants, transfer students, international students, home-schooled students, specific majors, scholarships, and honors programs.

The table below summarizes the major policy types you are likely to see. Use it to understand the vocabulary before you review each school's admissions page:

Examples of colleges that have required or reinstated testing in recent cycles include MIT, Georgetown University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, Yale University through a test-flexible model, and some public university systems or campuses. This list is not a substitute for checking the college's official admissions page because requirements can change by entry term.

Public universities deserve special attention. Some state systems use SAT or ACT scores for admissions, placement, scholarships, or state accountability reasons even when other institutions nearby are test-optional. Military academies and some highly selective STEM programs may also treat scores differently from the general applicant pool.

The practical takeaway is simple: build a spreadsheet with every college on your list and label its policy. Include separate columns for admission, merit scholarships, honors programs, direct-entry majors, and score reporting deadlines. This prevents one of the most costly mistakes: discovering in senior year that a school or scholarship you care about required a score you did not plan to take.

Yes, a test score can help in test-optional admissions when it adds credible academic evidence. Colleges already evaluate GPA, course rigor, essays, recommendations, activities, school context, and personal background. A strong SAT or ACT score gives them another standardized signal, which can be especially helpful if your high school has unusual grading patterns or limited advanced coursework.

However, a score is not automatically helpful just because it is above average nationally. A 1300 SAT or 29 ACT may be strong for one college and below range for another. The same score can also have different value depending on the major. For example, a high math score may carry more weight for engineering, computer science, economics, or business programs than for a less quantitative major, though admissions offices rarely reduce the decision to one number.

Use your score strategically in these situations. The list below shows when submitting is most likely to help:

• Your score is at or above the college's middle 50% range for admitted students.
• Your score is stronger than your GPA and helps show that you can handle college-level work.
• You attend a high school where course availability, grading, or class rank does not fully show your academic ability.
• You are applying to a competitive major where quantitative or reading scores support your readiness.
• You need scores for merit aid, honors college admission, athletic eligibility processes, or placement.

Withholding can also be a smart choice. If your score is far below the college's admitted range and the school is test-optional, your application may be better served by emphasizing grades, course rigor, essays, recommendations, projects, work experience, and leadership. The goal is not to hide weakness; it is to present the strongest fair version of your academic record.

One trend to watch is that colleges are becoming more explicit about why they do or do not use scores. Some institutions argue that tests help identify high-performing students from under-resourced schools, while others emphasize access concerns and prefer broader review. Because there is no single national rule, applicants should treat score submission as a college-by-college decision rather than a personal yes-or-no identity.

Colleges generally treat the SAT and ACT as equivalent admissions tests. They do not usually prefer one over the other, so applicants should choose the test that better fits their strengths and produces the stronger result. When colleges compare scores, they may use official concordance tables to estimate how an SAT score lines up with an ACT composite score.

The table below gives a practical comparison of common SAT and ACT score bands. It is not a guarantee of admission, but it helps you decide which score is stronger when you have results from both tests:

Superscoring is another important factor. Some colleges combine your highest SAT section scores across test dates or your highest ACT section scores across test dates. Others consider only your highest single sitting. Because superscoring can change your best reported result, check each college's policy before deciding whether to retake or send scores.

Students comparing majors should also remember that score strength is only one part of college value. If your goal is earnings potential, program quality, and long-term career fit, researching the best bachelor degrees to get can help you connect test preparation with a broader academic strategy.

A red flag is relying on unofficial online converters without checking the college's own policy. Concordance can help you compare, but admissions offices still read the full application. A slightly higher converted score will not offset weak course rigor, rushed essays, or missing prerequisites for a competitive major.

The SAT and ACT measure overlapping college-readiness skills, but they feel different to many students. The SAT is shorter, adaptive, and gives more time per question. The ACT has traditionally moved faster and includes a science reasoning section, though ACT format changes are making the test shorter and more flexible for many test-takers.

The best way to choose is to take one timed practice SAT and one timed practice ACT under realistic conditions. Do not choose based on reputation, friends, or assumptions about which test is "easier." Choose based on your score comparison, comfort level, pacing, and improvement potential.

The table below shows common student strengths and which test may fit better. Use it as a starting point, then confirm with practice results:

Here is a practical way to choose without wasting months on the wrong test. This sequence works well for sophomores, juniors, and rising seniors who still have time to prepare.

1. Take one official digital SAT practice test and one official ACT practice test within a two-week period.
2. Convert the scores using a concordance chart and compare them with your target colleges' middle 50% ranges.
3. Review missed questions to see whether errors came from content gaps, pacing, careless mistakes, or test format.
4. Choose one primary test for focused preparation unless your scores are nearly equal and you have time for both.
5. Retest only after completing targeted practice, not simply because another test date is available.

One common mistake is preparing for both tests at full intensity for too long. That can split your time and slow improvement. For most students, one well-chosen test plus disciplined practice is more effective than bouncing between formats.

The SAT is now digital for U.S. test-takers, and its format is adaptive by module. That means your performance on the first module of a section influences the difficulty level of the second module.

The ACT has also been moving toward more digital options and a shorter enhanced format, with science becoming optional for many national test administrations. Because format details and college expectations can vary by test date and applicant type, confirm the version you will take before registering.

The table below compares major format differences that affect preparation. These differences matter because pacing, stamina, calculator use, and question style can influence which test gives you the better score:

Digital testing also changes how students should prepare. You need to practice on the official platform or a close simulation, not only in paper books. Screen reading, annotation tools, built-in calculators, and timing displays can all affect performance.

Students considering flexible college pathways should also understand that not every institution weighs test scores the same way. Some online colleges and adult-focused programs place more emphasis on transcripts, transfer credit, work experience, or placement assessments than first-year SAT or ACT scores.

A common red flag is using outdated prep materials without checking whether they match the current test. Old SAT reading passages, retired ACT timing assumptions, or pre-digital strategies may still teach useful skills, but they should not be your only preparation source.

Most students should take a first official SAT or ACT in the spring of junior year, after completing enough algebra, geometry, reading, and grammar coursework to make the score meaningful. A second attempt in late spring, summer, or early fall of senior year gives you time to improve before early application deadlines.

The right timeline depends on your math sequence, extracurricular schedule, target colleges, and whether you need scores for scholarships. Students applying Early Action or Early Decision should be especially careful because October or November scores may arrive too late for some programs.

Use this timeline as a planning model, then adjust it around your school calendar and application deadlines:

1. In sophomore year, take the PSAT, PreACT, or diagnostic practice tests to identify which exam fits better.
2. In fall of junior year, begin targeted preparation based on your diagnostic results and target score range.
3. In spring of junior year, take your first official SAT or ACT.
4. In late spring or summer, review your score report and focus on the highest-impact weak areas.
5. In late summer or early fall of senior year, retake the exam if a realistic score increase would improve admissions or scholarship options.
6. Before applying, confirm each college's last accepted test date and score reporting deadline.

If your first college step may be a lower-cost or transfer-friendly route, standardized testing may be less central. Students exploring community college or flexible pathways can compare online associate degree programs as part of a broader plan that does not depend entirely on first-year admission to a selective four-year college.

One mistake to avoid is taking the test too early just to "get it over with." If you have not yet learned key math content or practiced timed reading, an early low score can hurt confidence and waste a fee. Another mistake is waiting until senior fall for a first attempt, which leaves little room for illness, registration issues, score delays, or retesting.

Most students should plan for two official attempts and consider a third only if there is a clear reason. Retaking without preparation rarely produces meaningful improvement. Retaking after focused work on specific weaknesses, however, can be worthwhile, especially if the new score could move you into a college's middle 50% range or qualify you for merit aid.

ACT reported an average composite score of 19.4 for the U.S. class of 2024, while SAT national averages typically sit near the middle of the 400-1600 scale. These national numbers are useful for context, but they are not the main benchmark for selective college admissions. Your real benchmark is the admitted-student range for the colleges and scholarships you are targeting.

Before registering again, ask whether the retake has a clear purpose. The list below helps you decide when another test date is worth the time and cost:

• Retake if your practice scores are now consistently higher than your official score.
• Retake if a modest increase would move you into a target college's middle 50% range.
• Retake if a higher score could qualify you for a scholarship, honors program, or direct-entry major.
• Do not retake simply because your friends are testing again or because you feel an unsupported hope for a jump.
• Stop testing when further prep would take time away from grades, essays, applications, work, family responsibilities, or major activities.

Superscoring can make retesting more attractive because a higher section score may improve your reported total even if your composite barely changes. But not every college superscores the ACT or SAT in the same way, so check policies before building your plan around it.

It is also worth keeping the long view. Standardized tests matter most at the point of undergraduate admission, but many later education paths focus on college performance, professional experience, portfolios, or competency. For example, some adults later choose a competency-based master's program because progress is tied more closely to demonstrated skills than seat time.

The biggest retake mistake is chasing perfection. A slightly higher score may not change an admissions decision if the rest of the application is unchanged. Once your score is competitive, your time may be better spent improving essays, senior-year grades, recommendations, major-related projects, or financial aid applications.

A competitive score is not a universal number. It is a score that fits the admissions profile of a specific college, program, and applicant pool. For one university, a 1250 SAT may be above average; for another, it may be below the typical range. Competitive also depends on context: course rigor, GPA trend, high school opportunities, major, residency, first-generation status, talent, and institutional priorities can all affect review.

The most useful benchmark is the college's middle 50% range for admitted or enrolled students. If a college publishes enrolled-student scores, remember that admitted-student scores may differ because not every admitted student enrolls. If a college has not updated its score range recently, ask the admissions office whether the published figures reflect the current test-optional applicant pool.

The table below gives a general way to interpret your position relative to a college's score range. Use it for decision-making, not as a prediction formula:

For scholarships, the score threshold may be different from the admissions threshold. Some colleges automatically consider applicants for merit aid without scores, while others use scores as one factor or require them for certain awards. This is why a score that is not necessary for admission may still be valuable financially.

Students should also compare test strategy with academic fit. A high score can help you enter a selective program, but it does not tell you whether the major is right for your abilities, budget, or career goals. Pair score research with program research so you apply to colleges where you can realistically thrive.

A common mistake is using social media score posts as benchmarks. Online score discussions are often skewed toward high-scoring students and do not represent the full applicant pool. Use official college data, your counselor's experience, and your own academic record instead.

SAT and ACT costs can add up when you include registration, late fees, test changes, preparation materials, and score reports. Fee waivers are designed to reduce that barrier for eligible students. In general, students may qualify through family income, participation in federal assistance programs, free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, homelessness, foster care, or other school-verified circumstances.

Because rules can change, ask your school counselor or authorized school official about current SAT and ACT waiver eligibility. Do this early, not the week registration closes. Fee waivers may cover test registration and may also include free score reports or college application fee-waiver benefits, depending on the testing organization and college policies.

Use the steps below to avoid unnecessary score-reporting costs and missed deadlines:

1. Ask your counselor whether you qualify for SAT, ACT, or college application fee waivers before registering.
2. Check whether each college allows self-reported scores in the application stage.
3. Send official score reports only when required for admission, enrollment, scholarships, or verification.
4. Review superscore and Score Choice policies before sending every test date.
5. Track deadlines for early applications, regular decision, scholarships, honors programs, and financial aid separately.

Many colleges now allow applicants to self-report SAT or ACT scores and send official reports only after admission or enrollment. That can save money, but accuracy matters. If your official score report later differs from what you self-reported, the college may delay review or take other action under its integrity policy.

Testing is only one cost in the college decision. Students comparing affordability, flexibility, and admissions requirements should also examine tuition, fees, transfer credit, aid, and completion support. This is especially important for applicants considering public universities, private colleges, community colleges, and test-flexible online options.

The biggest financial mistake is paying to send scores everywhere before checking whether a college needs them. The second is overlooking scholarship rules. A school may be test-optional for admission but still use scores for certain merit awards, so read both admissions and financial aid pages before deciding.

• Colleges That Require SAT or ACT Scores https://www.ajtutoring.com/resources/colleges-that-require-sat-act-scores/
• How You Get an SAT Fee Waiver: Complete Guide · PrepScholar https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-fee-waiver-complete-guide
• Do I submit both SAT and ACT scores? https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/do-i-submit-both-sat-and-act-scores/3653244
• Can You Retake the ACT? How Many Times & Should You https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents/high-school-success/testing-advice-for-the-act/reasons-to-retest.html
• Elite Universities and the ACT or SAT Debate | HelloCollege https://sayhellocollege.com/blog/act-or-sat-which-do-elite-universities-prefer/
• The Difference Between the Digital and Paper SAT® https://progresslearning.com/news-blog/digital-sat-differences/
• What We’ve Learned about Test-Optional and Test-Required Admissions https://www.applerouth.com/blog/what-weve-learned-about-test-optional-and-test-required-admissions
• When Should You Take the SAT or ACT? https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/when-to-take-sat-act
• Digital SAT vs. ACT: Which One Should You Choose? https://www.sparkadmissions.com/blog/how-to-choose-between-the-digital-sat-and-the-act/
• Find Test-Optional Colleges — No SAT/ACT Requirement https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/online-colleges/no-sat-or-act/