Do You Need SAT or ACT Scores? Start With Your College List.

Before paying for prep—or deciding to skip testing—look at the colleges on your list. The answer depends on their policies, your application year, and any scholarships you want to pursue.

A college’s testing policy and your need for paid preparation are separate questions. Even if you need a score, you can start with free resources.

Check each college’s current policy

Go directly to the college’s admissions website. Check the requirements for your entry year and applicant type, not just an old headline or social media post.

• Testing required: Read which scores are accepted and the submission deadlines.
• Test optional: Read the college’s guidance on whether and how scores are considered.
• Scores not considered: Check whether a separate program or scholarship has different rules.

If the wording is unclear, ask the admissions office. One college’s policy doesn’t tell you what another college will do.

Check scholarships separately

Admission and scholarship requirements may differ. Look up the specific award: what is required, when materials are due, and whether meeting a score threshold guarantees anything or only makes you eligible for consideration.

For example, Auburn’s first-year scholarship page lists requirements for its competitive merit awards. Use the current rules for the awards you’re considering rather than assuming all scholarships work the same way.

Make a simple checklist

For each college, write down:

• Your entry year and application deadline.
• The testing policy and a link to the official page.
• The last accepted test date or score deadline.
• Any separate scholarship requirements and deadlines.
• The date you checked the information.

This helps you decide where testing is necessary or useful before committing to a prep schedule.

If testing makes sense, find your starting point

Try an official practice test under timed conditions. Review what you know, where you need work, and how much time you have. If you’re choosing between exams, use our SAT vs ACT guide to plan the comparison.

Then learn the approaches you need, practice specific skills, and check your progress. Free lessons and questions may be enough. A course, software, or personal help can be useful if it solves a need you’ve identified.

Keep the decision in proportion

A test score is one part of an application. Avoid treating a particular score—or a prep purchase—as a promise of admission or scholarship money. Focus on the requirements that apply to your student and a plan that fits their time and budget.

Policy guidance reviewed September 19, 2026. Requirements can change; confirm details with each college and scholarship provider.