Barbara Sams, Managing Partner

October brings cooler air, changing leaves, and the anticipation of the months ahead. For high school sophomores and juniors, though, October also marks the start of college testing season with the College Board’s PSAT. Like many transitions, this step can come with both excitement and a measure of unease.

The college search itself is one of the biggest transitions a student and family will face, and standardized testing, SAT or ACT, often heightens that feeling. Suddenly, the idea of choosing a college feels very real. What should be an exciting process of charting the future too often becomes clouded by anxiety, especially around testing. That stress is magnified by the shifting role tests now play in admissions. Some colleges remain test optional, others are reinstating requirements, and still others quietly give preference to applicants who submit scores. Add in the mix of super scoring policies and it’s no wonder students and parents feel uncertain.

The good news? Students have choices. With a thoughtful plan, testing can become less of a hurdle and more of a manageable piece of the larger college application journey.

What is the PSAT and Why Do Students Take It? 

The PSAT, often called the “practice SAT,” serves different purposes depending on grade level. The exclusively digital exam is offered in the student’s high school and is structured like the SAT.

For sophomores: The PSAT is a low-stakes introduction to standardized testing—an opportunity to get comfortable with the format and pacing while identifying strengths and areas for improvement before sitting for actual college entrance exams. 

For juniors: The PSAT carries more weight. Scores can qualify students for National Merit recognition and scholarship programs while also providing a useful benchmark for SAT readiness. 

The Bottom Line: Whether the PSAT is “important” depends on context. While it isn’t required for college admission, it can open scholarship opportunities, guide test prep, and give students valuable experience in a testing environment.

Why Start with Testing Early?

Before students finalize their college lists, it’s wise to plan on testing. Here’s why:

• College requirements vary. Some schools require test scores, while others are test optional. Building a list before knowing your student’s testing profile may limit options unnecessarily.
• Flexibility is key. Once scores are in hand, your student can adjust their college list—either targeting more schools that require scores, or focusing on test-optional institutions. Adjustments are part of the process, and that’s completely normal.

We anticipate that while more schools will reinstate test requirements in the coming years, the majority will likely remain test optional. Planning for testing ensures your student is ready either way.

ACT or SAT? Pick One.

Both the SAT and ACT are widely accepted. The key is to determine which test best suits your student’s strengths and focus on that exam. Splitting time and energy between both tests is rarely productive. 

To determine which test is best for you, it is advised that a student sit for a practice test for each. Students can often take a free unofficial ACT or SAT through a variety of online agencies or some high schools offer students the opportunity to sit for a practice exam. 

After a student has taken a practice test for the ACT and the SAT, the results and a student’s comfort level with each exam will determine which test should be the focus of future efforts. 

How Many Times Should Students Test?

We suggest a student plan on sitting for their chosen exam three times. In most instances, students achieve their best results by the third try, provided they are prepared. In our experience, only in rare cases do additional sittings yield significant improvement.

To stay on track, aim to wrap up all testing by August of the senior year. This timeline gives students space to receive test results prior to any college deadlines, finalize their college list, and focus on applications without the added stress of ongoing testing.

Preparation Matters—But So Does Commitment

Test prep is only as effective as the student’s dedication to it. Resources exist at every level:

• Free prep tools (such as Khan Academy for SAT and ACT.org’s practice tests) are excellent starting points.
• One simple prep tool: SAT or ACT “Question of the Day” tools. The College Board offers a free “question of the day” as do many national test prep companies. 
• Paid prep options can add structure and accountability, but the true driver of improvement is the consistency and commitment of the student.

Encourage your student to create a systematic prep plan and stick with it.

Sidebar: Super Scoring and Score Choice

Super Scoring and Score Choice can cause confusion—yet they’re important to understand.

• SAT – Score Choice: For colleges who participate in Score Choice, students may choose which test dates to send. If a college super scores, they’ll combine the best section scores from multiple sittings.
• ACT – Super Score: Policies vary widely. Some schools accept only full test dates; others create a super score but may or may not recalculate the composite. Even for those who consider the super score, they may or may not accept the ACT super score report. 
• New ACT Science Policy: Now that the ACT science section is optional, colleges are deciding how they’ll handle super scoring. Will they include science scores? Will they combine scores from the “Core” and “Classic” ACTs? Each school may approach this differently. 

Questions to Ask Before Submitting: Clearly understanding what is expected by the schools a student is applying to is important. The information is not always easily accessible. To understand how a school treats testing in admission, a student should seek the answers to these questions: 

• Is the school test optional, test flexible, or test required? 
• Are the policies different for different majors?
• If the school is test flexible, what tests will the school accept for admission consideration? 
• If the school is test optional or test flexible, are there differences in admission rates for those who submit and those who do not submit test scores? 
• If an applicant takes the ACT, what sections are required? Is the science section required? Is the writing section required? 
• If the school super scores, how do they super score? Does the school recalculate the composite score? If yes, what scores are included in the calculation? (This is particularly relevant if an applicant is submitting the ACT.)
• What does the school require from applicants in terms of test scores – all scores, best scores, or—if using the ACT—the ACT superscore report?
• How does the school require applicants to submit their test scores, report them on the application, send from the testing agency, or some other mechanism?

Key takeaway: Always review each college’s testing policy carefully before sending scores. And if you cannot answer the questions here from information publicly available from the school, reach out to your admission officer and ask. 

The Bottom Line

Standardized testing doesn’t have to dominate the college choice process—but it does require planning. Encourage your student to:

1. Begin testing in earnest in their junior year.
2. Select the right test (SAT or ACT).
3. Plan to finish by August of senior year, ideally.
4. Prepare with consistency and commitment.

Every student’s path is unique, and testing is just one piece of the puzzle. The good news? Students have choices. 

Keep following McNeal Sams College Consulting throughout the month of October for more on college testing, including how admission officers view it all. 

And for personalized guidance on how testing fits into your student’s goals, consult with a McNeal Sams College Consultant. We’re here to help your family navigate the complexities of standardized testing and build a college plan that works best for your student.