Is Taking the SAT Important?

It’s been an odd few years for standardized testing. Between the challenges of the pandemic and universities dropping and then rapidly reinstating testing requirements, many students and families are wondering whether the SAT still holds weight. While some colleges have moved to test-optional admissions, the SAT continues to play a role in various parts of the college application process and beyond. So, how important is it to take the SAT in 2025? The answer depends on your goals, the schools you’re applying to, and what kind of opportunities you’d like to keep open.

Let’s break it down.

Why The SAT Matters

The SAT has long been used as a tool to assess a student’s academic readiness for college. It’s one way for schools to evaluate applicants from different backgrounds, school systems, and states on a consistent scale. While your GPA reflects years of performance, the SAT is a snapshot of your abilities in reading, writing, and math at a specific point in time. It also tests your ability to work well under pressure, solve equations, and make inferences– all things you’ll need to know how to do as part of your college learning experience. 

In 2025, the SAT is still a key part of many colleges’ review process, especially at larger public universities and highly selective institutions. It gives admissions teams an extra metric they can use to compare students. Even if a school is test-optional, submitting a strong SAT score might set your application apart in a large pool of qualified candidates.

SAT and Scholarships

One often overlooked reason to take the SAT is its connection to scholarships. Many merit-based awards still require or strongly consider standardized test scores, even at test-optional schools. A good SAT score can help you qualify for institutional scholarships, private scholarships, or honors college programs.

Some states tie scholarship eligibility directly to SAT performance. For example, certain public universities offer automatic awards to in-state students who meet GPA and SAT score minimums. So, while skipping the SAT might not close the door to admission, it could mean missing out on financial aid opportunities.

SAT and Admissions

Test-optional doesn’t mean test-blind. While many colleges have made submitting scores optional, they will still review and consider scores if you send them. At selective schools, a strong SAT score might reinforce your academic preparation and provide a boost to your application, especially if your high school record is solid but not outstanding.

And while it might not seem fair, certain types of high school experiences are harder for admissions counselors to judge than others. Standardized testing helps even the playing field for these students, making the process more equitable. For homeschooled students, international applicants, or students from high schools with limited AP or honors course offerings, the SAT can help offer additional context. It shows that you’re prepared for college-level work, no matter where you’re coming from.

Thinking Beyond College Applications

The SAT doesn’t just impact where you go to college. Some internship programs, honors societies, and even future job opportunities ask for test scores as part of their evaluation process. While this isn’t the norm for every field, in competitive spaces like finance, consulting, and tech, an SAT score can sometimes reappear as a data point in early career recruitment.

In short, a strong score can have value beyond just getting into college. It’s one more way to demonstrate your academic ability, especially early in your college years before your transcript is fully developed.

What If I Don’t Take The SAT?

But let’s say you don’t take the SAT. What then? Some students decide that the SAT doesn’t make sense for them. But it’s important to understand what your options are and how skipping standardized testing altogether might affect your college plans.

Option One: You Take the ACT Instead

For some students, it’s not that standardized testing doesn’t make sense; instead, their decision to not take the SAT hinges on the benefits offered by the ACT. The ACT is accepted at nearly every college that accepts the SAT, and it covers similar material: English, math, and reading. There’s also a science section that will soon become optional for all test takers; right now, it depends on which version of the ACT you take. Some students find the ACT more straightforward, especially if they’re faster test takers or prefer a broader set of subjects.

Many students feel like the ACT has more straightforward questions. However, the pacing is faster. If you’re good at managing your time and working quickly, that can be an advantage. The math section of the ACT includes more geometry and trigonometry, and you’re allowed to use a calculator throughout. Plus, the optional writing section lets you showcase your ability to build an argument in response to a real-world issue. For students who feel more confident with these formats, the ACT can be a smart alternative.

Choosing the ACT over the SAT doesn’t limit your college options. In fact, many students take both and submit whichever score is stronger. If you feel more comfortable with the ACT format, this can be a smart route; just make sure to prepare for it like you would the SAT.

Option Two: You Don’t Take Any Standardized Tests

Skipping standardized testing entirely is an option some students take, but it’s hard to recommend this option in good faith. Yes, it’s true that many schools now have test-optional policies, but competitive, selective schools typically do not. And test-optional does not mean test-ignored! Even test-optional schools still consider scores if submitted, so students who send strong SAT results might have an advantage, particularly in competitive applicant pools. If you choose not to submit a score, you’re asking the admissions team to evaluate you based on everything else you’ve accomplished, and depending on the opportunities your high school provided, that can make it harder for you to stand out. 

Applying without test scores places more emphasis on the other parts of your application. Admissions officers will be looking closely at your transcript, the rigor of your classes, your personal statement, and your involvement outside the classroom. If your school didn’t offer the full suite of AP classes or you didn’t have the kinds of opportunities that are provided at elite high schools, it can weaken your chances through no fault of your own. A good standardized test score doesn’t just let you stand out amongst applicants with similar experiences; it helps you stand out even if you had fewer opportunities than other students. 

The issue of fairness is one of the criticisms of standardized testing, with some analysts saying that students who have better access to resources earn higher scores. But that criticism doesn’t really take into account that every part of the admissions process is like that. If you attended a high school with fewer resources and opportunities, you might not have the chance to show off your dazzling AP scores, internships, or student leadership– because those opportunities didn’t exist for you. The SAT, however, does exist for you, and it exists for all high school students at the same level. By preparing for it properly and taking the time to learn test-taking strategies and skills, you can demonstrate your academic prowess and potential on an even playing field. 

So why wouldn’t you take the SAT? Many students make this decision because they’re worried about their testing abilities or simply don’t think they can earn a high enough score to get into the schools they want. If that’s you, it doesn’t have to be! With the right preparation, you can overcome testing anxiety and learn the strategies you need to take the test without worrying.

Tackling the SAT With Confidence

The SAT still plays a meaningful role for many students in 2025. It can open doors to scholarships, strengthen college applications, and serve as a useful benchmark of academic readiness. But it’s not the only path. Whether you take it, choose the ACT, or go test-optional, what matters most is how you present your abilities, your effort, and your potential. Approach the process with preparation, and a plan, and you’ll be setting yourself up for success no matter which route you choose.

It’s never too early to start thinking about SAT test preparation. Here at Prep Expert, our students learn more than just the general content of the test; our top percentile scoring instructors know the test inside and out, and will teach you how to master the exam. Check out our SAT course catalog today to learn more about our offerings!