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The number of colleges that now require either the SAT or the ACT along with undergraduate applications continues to grow. The list that began just over three years ago with MIT and a few of the Ivy League schools has now grown to 56 schools, 21 Private and 35 Public. Those who initially reinstated the requirement were among the most selective colleges in the country; they stated that receiving test scores would help them assess whether perspective students would be able to do the challenging work that they require. Now there are 12 Florida public universities requiring scores, as well as many of the Georgia state universities.
Here is the current list, as reported by the College Board website. Note that seven of the colleges will require the tests for fall 2026, while the rest will require tests this fall. College Board suggests that students check the site frequently, since the list continues to change. Also, students should verify the information via the colleges’ websites. Alcorn State University Auburn University at Montgomery Augusta University* (For Fall 2026) Brown University California Institute of Technology (Caltech) College of the Ozarks Cornell University* (For Fall 2026) Dartmouth College Delta State University Fairmont State University Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Florida Atlantic University Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Institute of Technology Florida International University Florida Polytechnic University Florida State University Gallaudet University Georgetown University Georgia College and State University Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Southern University* (For Fall 2026) Georgia State University* (For Fall 2026) Harding University Harvard College Johns Hopkins University* (For Fall 2026) Kennesaw State University* (For Fall 2026) Louisiana Tech University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Middle Tennessee State University New College of Florida Purdue University Saint Augustine's University Southwestern Assemblies of God University Stanford University* (For Fall 2026) Tennessee State University Thomas Aquinas College United States Air Force Academy United States Military Academy United States Naval Academy University of Central Florida University of Florida University of Georgia University of Memphis University of Miami University of North Florida University of Pennsylvania University of South Florida University of Tennessee Knoxville University of Tennessee Southern University of Tennessee: Chattanooga University of Texas at Austin University of West Alabama University of West Florida William Carey University
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Update on the New ACTThose taking the April ACT have some options!
Previously, I've reported that a new computer-based ACT will be available beginning with the April test. The new test will have fewer questions and take a somewhat shorter time to complete. The science section will be optional. ACT has released the first practice test of the computer-based ACT, and I've had a chance to work through the test. I believe the main points for students to consider are these:
Beginning with the April test, it will be the student’s choice whether to take the test on paper or on the computer. The paper test will be the same format that we've had for several years. ACT has said that the paper version will be available for the foreseeable future. My recommendation to students is to stay with the paper ACT for the near term, since the roll-out of new software can be troublesome. For those who want to skip the science section, that will be an option on either the computer-based test or the paper test beginning in September. It remains true that students have a choice between submitting ACT or SAT scores to their colleges. Since the ACT is still based on the same subject matter, the decision between the two tests seems to be much the same as before, based on the student’s strengths and their experience taking preACT's and PSAT’s. Students or parents can feel free to contact me to discuss any of these issues as well as options for tutoring support. With all the information about SAT or ACT scores being optional when applying to college, some may get the idea that it’s less important now to have strong test scores to support one’s application. However, there’s good evidence that strong test scores can still be very important either for getting admitted to college or for getting substantial scholarship money from a college. I’ll cite here two examples to illustrate this point. With regard to getting admitted to a strong college, the information released by University of Georgia for the just-admitted class of 2029, is interesting.  Three-fourths of admitted students had SAT scores of 1350 or greater or ACT scores of 31 or greater (the graphic only reports about students who were George residents; typically, out-of-state students admitted at UGA have SAT scores 30 points greater or ACT scores one or two points greater than in-state students). Now, looking at scholarship awards, typically schools that offer generous scholarships consider test scores heavily in their calculations. The University of Alabama is an example: Scholarships awarded were based on high school GPA and either SAT or ACT scores. The test scores made the difference.  One of my tutoring students last year improved their ACT scores by five points and was awarded the presidential scholarship at Alabama: $28,000 per year. Note that the awards above are for out-of-state students – Bama is very interested in attracting strong students from out of state and uses scholarships for this purpose.
For information on how to improve SAT or ACT scores, contact Perry at 910-528-5595 or [email protected]. New ACT for 2025Attention Juniors–A New ACT Is Coming.
Many high school juniors who have not started their preparation for the SAT or ACT will want to get started right after the holidays. The first decision they need to make is which of the two tests they will work on. That question is a little more complicated this year since 2025 will bring a new ACT, and we only have partial information about the new test at this point. What we know – in brief • The new test will be digital, i.e., will be taken on the computer. • For the Saturday, April 5, 2025 test, students will have the option of the new digital test or the paper test. • Tests given on school days will use the paper test until 2026. • The Science section will become optional. The Composite will become the average of English, Reading, and Math. • The digital test duration will be two hours, 5 minutes (without Science), as compared to the 3 hours, 5 minutes of the current test. • The amount of time allowed per question will increase from 0.84 minutes to 0.95 minutes. So, Digital SAT in comparison will still have 44% more time per question. • Preparation materials are expected to be available about the first of the year. What we don’t know • Will the digital test be available at all of the April 2025 test centers? • Will test takers use their own or a provided computer/tablet • Will there be an integrated calculator for math? Advice to Students– While we’ve not seen all the details about the new ACT, the test maker has said that the new test will continue to be based on the same subject matter. Changes described thus far appear to be minor (except for science being optional). So, I believe students can reasonably decide whether the ACT or the SAT will be the best test for them. As has been true up to now, recent PSAT and PreACT scores should be reliable predictors of SAT and ACT scores. If those are not available, the factors that are usually predictive are whether the student is stronger in math or verbal skills, and whether the faster pace required for the ACT is a problem for the student. If students or parents have questions about these tests or preparing for them, they can feel free to contact Perry at [email protected] or 910-528-5595. If you have friends who may find this information helpful, please forward a copy of this to them. Perry Youngblood Tutoring “Helping Students Succeed since 2002“ The last few years have brought many changes to the role of standardized testing for college admissions and scholarships. COVID-19 made it hard for testing companies to carry out their normal testing schedule; some students were unable to take the SAT or ACT at their location, so colleges felt like they needed to make the test optional.
Over the last year, with testing schedules back to normal, many selective colleges decided that they needed to receive students’ test scores to supplement what they could learn from transcripts and course grades, so quite a number of colleges have reinstated the requirement for either the SAT or ACT. I got to thinking back to my own experience taking the SAT and the benefits it brought to me. l applied to an engineering program at NC State and took the SAT. A few weeks later the phone rang and an NC State person asked if they could stop by for a visit. We arranged to meet the next afternoon at my father's store where I typically worked after school. The next day we had a visit from Mr. K. D. Raab, NC State's Director of Admissions. Mr. Raab told us that they liked what they had seen in my application and would like to invite me to attend NC State. In addition, he offered two scholarships that were funded by one of North Carolina's paper companies, money that would cover about half of my cost of attendance. After I sent in my acceptance notice, there was more exciting news: I received a letter informing me that “You are one of a limited number of prospective entering freshmen at North Carolina State whose past scholastic record and College Board scores indicate that you should have an opportunity to compete for membership in the Superior Student Program in Mathematics at State College.” This program led to my inclusion in the Engineering Honors Program. A few days later a similar letter from the English Department invited me to participate in the Honors Program in English. So, I'm convinced that all this good news - acceptance, scholarships, honors programs - came because of my SAT scores. I'm gratified now that over the last 20+ years I've been able to help other students achieve good results from their test scores. Ever wonder how waitlists work? Here is an article that shows how Georgetown University uses its waitlist and transfer process to get exactly the number of undergrad students it has space for.
http://www.thehoya.com/admission-yield-steady-at-47-6/ At our Higher Education Consultants Conference last week, we heard an interesting panel discussion from faculty of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music who discussed how students should plan and prepare for auditions. The three faculty were one each from instrumental, voice, and drama/musical theater. Some advice applies to all three areas; other points differ among the artistic areas.
An article published in the Washington Post Sept. 7 quoted me extensively regarding the new SAT, which will be administered starting in March, and the new PSAT, which debuted this past October.
Click here for the article: http://tinyurl.com/washpost-perry-SAT Up to now, parents interested in financial aid have had to fill out the federal FAFSA form in January of the student’s senior year using income data for the immediate prior calendar year, even though in most cases the parents had not completed their tax returns. However, for seniors who will enter college in 2017, their eligibility for need-based aid will be based on their family’s income from 2015 (the prior-prior year), rather than from the immediate prior year (2016). The new FAFSA will become available October 1. Since tax returns for 2015 will have been filed already, families can simply have the IRS data retrieval tool move their income data electronically from their tax return to the FAFSA.
 The University of Rhode Island, in Wakefield, claims to have “the most beautiful campus on the coast”. Over half of the 14,000 undergraduates are from out of state.
As with most state universities, many majors are offered. Nursing, pharmacy, and engineering are the most competitive and students need to apply early. The average GPA for pharmacy is 4.1, with average ACT 29. The ability to transfer into pharm or nursing, once enrolled, is minimal. |
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PERRY YOUNGBLOOD TUTORING This is a time of significant change for standardized tests. All four of the tests that Perry tutors have rolled out new versions recently. Perry makes use of his blog to keep clients and others informed of some of these changes. Be sure to check back for his latest blog posts or drop him a note to request to be added to his email newsletter. |
