Questions around test prep and college entrance exams can seem even more daunting than the questions on the exams themselves. While the test-optional option was in place at hundreds of colleges before the pandemic, the idea of being a “test-optional” candidate took hold since 2020. However, the State of Ohio makes it possible for every high school junior to take an ACT or SAT through their high school, so access to take a test is not an issue. Over the last few years, colleges that were test optional in 2020 announced that scores are now required. The latest announcement came from The Ohio State University in March, 2025 that all applicants must submit a test score beginning in 2025-2026. 

Know the policies 

✅ Test Optional – Applicants can opt to not send ACT or SAT scores as part of their college application. Note that some academic programs/majors as well as scholarship opportunities may still require scores. 
✅ Test Blind – Even if an applicant submits scores, the scores will not be seen nor considered in admissions. 
✅ Test Preferred – Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their scores.
✅ Test Required – All applicants must submit at least one complete score from the ACT or SAT. 
✅ Test Flexible – Applicants may be able to submit alternative test scores (for example, Advanced Placement exam scores) instead of an ACT or SAT score.

Know the tests

✅ The PSAT and SAT are delivered on a digital platform called “Bluebook” that is compatible with Macs and PCs. (Bluebook will only work on Chromebooks on school networks.) These tests are only available online with very limited exceptions for some students with accommodations.
✅ The PSAT and SAT tests employ multistage adaptive testing. Each test section (Reading/Writing and Math) is divided into two equal-length, separately timed parts. Student performance in the first module determines the questions they receive in the second module.
✅ In September, the ACT will only be offered in its new format. Although the new ACT looks more like the SAT, the ACT will not be adaptive. All students who test on a national ACT test date–online or on paper–will experience the new, shorter test with more time to respond to each question.
✅ In the new ACT, the Science section is optional, and the Writing section will remain optional. It is rarely our recommendation that a student take the ACT optional sections.

Is one test better than another?
The ACT leads the market in our area of southwest Ohio with most high schools offering the ACT as their state-sponsored test. In college admissions, however, there is no preference for the ACT or SAT–both are accepted and considered equally. Still, some students might opt to try both the ACT and the SAT, and many students will experience at least one Preliminary SAT (PSAT) at their high school. At Class 101-Dayton, we assist our students in determining which test and format is best for them. 

Do I need a test score to apply to college?
There is not a simple answer to this question. However, there is a trend among top colleges and popular state flagship schools to require an ACT or SAT for admissions. Some students should send their test scores to every college they apply to, and some students should apply to all of their colleges “test optional.” And still other students will send their scores to some schools but apply test-optional to others. It depends on your college list, GPA and high school transcript, major interest and area of study, and your college preferences for honors, accelerated, or other specialized programs. 

Do all juniors have to take the state sponsored ACT or SAT in their high school?
Ohio law has changed. A parent or guardian can opt their student out of taking the state-funded ACT or SAT. Schools are still required to offer one state-funded test (ACT or SAT) at no cost to all eleventh grade students. 

What is the PSAT?
Some think the PSAT is simply a practice test—an indicator of where a student may score on the SAT. Most don’t know that the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program for juniors. The PSAT is a digital test that is delivered by a student’s high school in the fall. In 2025 ,the PSAT/NMSQT can be offered on weekdays during the testing window of October 1-31 as well as Saturday, October 11. 

Class 101-Dayton will stay ahead of the changes coming to testing as we design the best prep and resources for our students. Reach out to us at 937-705-5113 to learn more. 

Upcoming Class 101 Test Prep Dates
All Class 101-Dayton college planning students can access our prep classes as well as individual test prep. 

Class 101 Fall Classes for Juniors for the PSAT and SAT
✅ Sunday afternoons: September 7, 21, and 28, and October 5 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. 
✅ SAT Dates for 2025-2026 school year: September 13, October 4, November 8, December 6, March 14, and May 2. 
✅ High schools register their students for the PSAT; talk to your high school counselor if you have questions about your PSAT registration. 

Class 101 Fall Classes for Juniors for the October 18 ACT 
✅ Monday nights: September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6 and 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.
✅ The deadline to register for the October 18 ACT is September 12. 

Class 101 ACT Classes for Juniors for the February 14 ACT and in school ACTs
✅ Monday nights: January 12, 19, 26, and February 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
✅ Classes for the in school tests may continue on Monday nights in March once students know their high school test dates. 
✅ The early deadline to register for the national February 14 ACT test date is January 7.

Class 101 SAT Classes for Juniors TBD depending upon the number of local high schools that will offer the SAT instead of the ACT.