As more colleges remain test optional, students often assume standardized test scores no longer matter for scholarships– but that’s a dangerous assumption to make. While fewer schools require the SAT for admission than in the past, many still use submitted scores to award merit aid. In 2026, a strong SAT score can continue to make a real difference in how much you pay for college. And that means a lot–…

If you’ve ever opened up your College Board account to retrieve your scores and not liked what you found… well, you’re not alone. About half of all SAT takers retake the exam, and there are a lot of benefits to doing so. In fact, taking the exam multiple times correlates with improved admission rates and higher test scores.  But, just like taking the test itself, you should approach taking and…

The SAT was introduced 100 years ago, in 1926. By the 1960s, the G.I. Bill meant that more people were attending college than ever before, and the SAT was almost universally adopted by schools in the United States. But in 1969, we saw the first school to go test-optional, Bowdoin College, drop the test. Since then, test-optional admissions slowly gained ground– mostly at small liberal arts colleges. In 2019, there…

The SAT is one of the most widely recognised college admissions exams in the United States and internationally. For students planning to apply to colleges and universities, understanding the SAT test dates and registration deadlines for 2026 is crucial. This guide provides a complete view of the official SAT dates and deadlines administered by the College Board for 2026, including deadlines for registration, late registration, and testing windows. The College…

Preparing for the SAT may feel like an extra stressor in an already packed high school schedule, but the exam offers meaningful advantages that can shape both your college path and your long-term goals. The fact is, there are a lot of benefits to taking this exam, beyond the ones you might expect! Even as many colleges maintain score-optional admissions policies, the SAT remains a powerful tool for students who…

You’ve probably heard classmates or teachers talk about what counts as a “good” SAT score. But the truth is, that number isn’t the same for everyone! It all depends on who you are and where you want to go to college. A score that’s competitive at one school might fall short at another. The real question isn’t what looks good on paper; it’s what score helps you achieve your goals.…

The SAT turns 100 next year! While it might seem hard to believe, given the modern version of the test students get today, the SAT predates sliced bread (1928), the ballpoint pen (1931), and TV (1927). And while the name is the same, the test has changed substantially in both its purpose and content areas. In order to understand where the test is going, it’s important to know its history–…

Homeschooling gives families more freedom to design learning experiences that reflect their values and goals. It can provide an academic challenge for the kids who need it, and a more accessible learning experience for students who need a more flexible environment. Yet that flexibility sometimes raises questions about standardized testing, especially the SAT and other standardized tests. For many homeschool students, the SAT is an important bridge between home-based education…

For decades, the SAT has been a major part of the college admissions process in the United States. Many students see it as a hurdle they must clear on the path to higher education, while parents and schools often treat it as a marker of academic readiness. Yet despite its long history and widespread use, the SAT has always been controversial. Critics argue that it creates unnecessary stress, reinforces inequality,…

Choosing between the importance of GPA and SAT scores can feel like a circus act; knowing how to juggle everyone’s expectations of you and the demands of your target colleges and your high school can be extremely challenging. Some students think that they can focus on one thing– just their GPA or just their test scores– and be ok if one of them is high enough for their colleges of…