The very best time to figure out which entrance exam a college-bound teen should take and when to take it is as early as possible, preferably before 11th grade begins. That makes now the perfect time students in the high school graduating class of 2027 to create their ideal testing gameplan. What considerations factor into an optimal testing plan?
1. What classes have you completed and what will the next year look like?
- Algebra 2/Trig completion is a key factor in determining test readiness.
- Students with Algebra 2 experience can consider testing as early as the beginning of 11th grade.
- Students without Algebra 2 experience might consider testing as early as December of 11th grade.
- Students taking 2 or more AP exams should try to be finished with admissions testing by the March SAT or April ACT.
- Students who take 2 or more AP exams should not expect to be mentally ready for a June SAT or ACT.
- Do not plan to take the SAT or ACT during one of your busiest sport or activity seasons.
2. How should you determine which test to take?
- The most accurate way to determine whether the SAT or ACT would be better is to take diagnostic tests in one or both tests.
- Consider not just which test feels better but which one delivers a higher percentile.
- Students who are much stronger in math than reading tend to score better on the SAT.
- Students with strong reading and writing speed and skill tend to score better on the ACT.
3. What should students planning to take the ACT in the fall of 2025 know?
- Starting in September 2027, all national ACT administrations will be the Enhanced ACT.
- The Enhanced ACT presents a shorter test with fewer questions and more time per question.
- Both the Science and Writing sections are optional on this test: skip the Writing but consider sitting for Science unless you know for certain that none of your target schools will want a Science science score.
- The Enhanced ACT is offered on both paper and digital device, though availability of digital testing may vary by location.
- Students should strongly consider taking the ACT on paper, even if they normally prefer digital testing.
4. Will colleges require test scores from students in the HS class of 2027?
- The pendulum has definitely swung back towards preferred or mandatory testing at many selective schools and public university systems.
- Merit aid is often still tied to test scores even at test-optional schools.
- Many schools still deciding policies for enhanced ACT science section, with only ~4% of schools definitely not considering science scores (as of July 2025)
Of course, you can–and should–dive deeper into each of these factors and many others that help determine the best plan and timeline for testing. Start with the detailed Testing Gameplan for the HS Class of 2027 episode on the (awesome) Tests and the Rest podcast.
Mike Bergin