For years, Galena High School has taken the SAT as the standard test when preparing for college admissions. Now that has changed, starting this year the school will instead take the ACT, due to the state’s decision to make the switch. “We are required to take whatever the state test is to comply with state law and to allow graduation,” said Mrs. Hawkins. “The state contract with SAT was up for renewal and they moved to a contract with ACT.”
The SAT and ACT are standardized tests used for college admissions, but they differ. The SAT focuses more on reasoning and problem-solving, with an emphasis on reading comprehension and math. The ACT, on the other hand, is considered more straightforward and includes a science section. Additionally, the ACT has a faster-paced format, with more questions in a shorter amount of time.
Some might be asking, “Why the Change?” The switch to the ACT was due to the state’s vote. They looked at three different elements for the decision: technical specifications, commitment to diversity, and price. The ACT is generally cheaper for schools to administer, but there were a lot of other factors that led to the switch. Students have mixed reactions to the decision. Some appreciate the school covering the cost of the ACT, while others feel they are losing a choice that could impact their college applications.
Nationally, the ACT is more popular in the Midwest, while the SAT dominates the East and West coasts. According to statistics from the College Board and ACT Inc., 1.9 million students took the SAT in 2023 while only 1.3 million students took the ACT in 2023.
With more colleges moving away from standardized testing requirements, it’s unclear how much this change will impact students in the long run.
