July is the month when some rising high school seniors scramble to increase their ACT/SAT scores to include in their college applications.
Here are some images to help students get a sense of each exam and what’s expected:
The digital ACT introduces a new component. Basically, we’re looking at a digital version vs. paper, a 2-hour test vs. a 3-hour test, composite scores will only be English, math, and reading, and science will become optional. Students who take the science portion will receive a separate score, just as writing has appeared in the past. The math and reading portions will be shorter on the digital exam. Practice tests are available on the ACT website.
Our recommendation to the Class of 2026:
Focus on the SAT or the paper version of the ACT. If you are happy with your ACT score, consider the digital ACT as an add-on to your previous score (even if this means taking it for the fourth time.)
Classes of 2027 & 2028: Wait for more details! We will know more once more practice tests are released and colleges begin to update ACT policies.
The earliest we recommend students take ACT/SAT diagnostic tests is in the spring of a student’s sophomore year. We don’t recommend taking either exam more than three times.
The writing portion of the ACT uses the persuasive rhetorical mode. ESSAY CURE students will be learning more about that this summer in our Academic Writing 101 webinar, but for those who want to get started preparing, here’s the formula:
To level-up a persuasive essay, introduce the “yes, but” technique: