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By Lisa Hillhouse, Hillhouse College and Career Advising For many families, standardized testing feels confusing and stressful. Should your student take the SAT? The ACT? Both? When should they start? Do these tests even matter anymore? Let’s break it down.
Key Differences Between the SAT and ACT Here’s what I explain to my students:
Colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Both are accepted equally. The real question is: Which test fits your student’s strengths? When Should Students Decide Which Test Is Right? Ideally, students should begin exploring testing during: Sophomore Year (Spring)
By late sophomore year or early junior year, most students should commit to one primary test. Waiting until senior year to “figure it out” creates unnecessary pressure. Note: If a student is in Algebra 2 junior year, prepping and testing will happen later than those students in more advanced math. When and How Should Students Prepare? In my advising practice, I recommend: Step 1: Diagnostic Testing Take one full SAT and one full ACT practice exams under timed conditions at the end of sophomore year. That allows students time to prep in the summer if they want to start testing in the fall.. Step 2: Choose a Primary Test Select the test that:
Step 3: Structured Preparation (3–4 Months plus)
Ideal Timeline
Students who prepare early are calmer, more confident, and often require fewer retakes. Remember that the fall of senior year is a busy time with college applications, academics, and social activities.. Finding time to test prep then is challenging.  Why Are These Tests Important in Admissions? Even in the era of “test-optional,” standardized tests still matter. Here’s why: 1. Academic Readiness Indicator Admissions offices use scores to assess:
2. Merit Scholarship Consideration Many colleges use SAT/ACT scores to award merit-based scholarships — sometimes automatically. Strong scores can mean:
Better chances of admission in impacted and competitive majors like engineering, computer science, nursing and business 3. Institutional Reporting Colleges report test score averages for rankings and accreditation. Strong test score applicants help strengthen a school’s profile and can sometimes aid a slightly weaker academic profile. Schools not requiring them may highly encourage students to take them. Applicants with lower scores may choose to not submit. But those with higher scores are helping raise college academic profiles. This can inflate score averages (FYI) but an also benefit strong test takers. 4. Military and ROTC Programs For students pursuing ROTC scholarships or Service Academies, strong test scores remain a significant factor in competitiveness. Do Students Still Need to Test If Colleges Are Test-Optional? “Test-optional” does not mean “test-blind.” At many institutions:
Testing gives students options. Final Thoughts for Families Standardized testing should not drive your student’s identity or self-worth. However, thoughtful planning and practicing around testing can:
The key is early exposure, strategic preparation, and informed decision-making. Need Help Deciding Between the SAT and ACT?
Every student is different. If your family would like guidance on diagnostics, test selection, or building a preparation timeline that fits into your larger college roadmap, I invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation. Together, we’ll create a plan that supports your student’s strengths — and reduces the overwhelm. -- Lisa Hillhouse Hillhouse College and Career Advising, LLC Comments are closed.
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AuthorLisa Hillhouse is an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) who works with families throughout the US virtually on the college search and application process. Archives
April 2026
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