With the SAT® becoming fully digital, and the ACT® rolling out an updated format, these exams have changed substantially during the past 2 years. As a result, many of the prep approaches and materials schools relied on 5 years ago no longer reflect the structure or experience of the current exams.
At the same time, educators are often expected to improve outcomes without dedicated prep time, expanded budgets, or updated training aligned to the new exam formats.
The good news is that many of the skills assessed on these exams, such as evidence-based reading and analytical thinking, are already a part of strong classroom instruction. The key is helping students apply those skills confidently within the context of modern college entrance exams.
What the SAT® and ACT® Look Like in 2026
For educators supporting college readiness, it’s important to recognize that today’s SAT and ACT differ significantly from the versions schools prepared students for just a few years ago.
Digital SAT Updates
There are several ways that the SAT has been updated. The biggest change is that the exam is now fully digital. Also, each question that a student answers correctly or incorrectly sets the difficulty of the following questions. The exam is also shorter than the previous paper format, taking just over 2 hours to complete instead of approximately 3 hours.1
Changes that affect classroom preparation include:
- Students can now use a built-in graphing calculator throughout the entire Math section.
- Reading passages are shorter and paired with 1 question, rather than longer, grouped passages.
- Students can only take the test on approved devices (laptops or tablets).
ACT Updates
The ACT has also introduced several updates to the testing experience, including changes to the format and expanded digital testing options. Unlike the SAT, however, the ACT remains a linear exam and doesn’t use an adaptive format.2
Some of the specific changes to the ACT include:
- The Science section is now optional for students taking the enhanced ACT.
- The exam includes fewer total questions and more time per question than previous versions.
- Students can take the ACT digitally in some testing environments, but paper testing is still an option.
What Stayed the Same
Many core aspects of the SAT and ACT remain the same.
- Colleges continue to use the same scoring scales for admissions decisions.
- Many colleges and universities continue to accept superscores, which combine a student’s highest section scores across multiple test dates.
- Both the SAT and ACT still play a role in admissions, scholarship consideration, and course placement at many colleges and universities, including some test-optional schools.
What Teachers Can Do Inside Regular Instruction
In many classrooms, effective preparation comes through reading, reasoning, or problem-solving skills that students will use on these standardized tests.
Instead of completely shifting current instructional timelines, it may be an opportunity to reinforce and spread out test-aligned skills during the entire school year. Below are a few strategies and what they can look like in the classroom.
| Strategy | What It Can Look Like in the Classroom | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Build test-aligned skills into core subjects. | Use evidence-based reading in English Language Arts, data interpretation in Science, and algebraic reasoning in Math instruction. | Research on transfer learning suggests students benefit when they can apply learned knowledge and skills to new contexts.3 |
| Use short, frequent practice instead of last-minute review. | Incorporate weekly warm-ups, timed passages, or cumulative retrieval activities. | Spaced retrieval practice has been identified as one of the most effective learning techniques for improving student learning and retention.4 |
| Start with diagnostics, not generic review. | Use baseline assessments to identify strengths and skill gaps before assigning broad prep materials. | Diagnostic data can help students focus on the areas that need the most reinforcement, rather than spending time reviewing content they already understand. |
| Address test anxiety without disrupting instruction. | Build familiarity through low-stakes, timed practice and exposure to digital testing environments. | Research suggests that practice testing can help reduce test anxiety while improving student performance.5 |
| Build reading stamina deliberately. | Incorporate longer reading passages, analytical reading tasks, and regular sustained reading activities. | Both the SAT and ACT require students to maintain focus, process information efficiently, and sustain comprehension across multiple sections. |
What School and District Leaders Can Do
Improving SAT and ACT readiness is not only a classroom challenge. School and district leaders also play an important role in determining whether students have consistent access to preparation, instructional support, and resources.
Build Prep into the School Day
After-school and optional test programs can be highly beneficial, but they also may unintentionally create equity gaps. Students with transportation, flexible schedules, or outside support are often the most likely to participate in additional prep opportunities.
While after-school support can still play an important role, embedding college readiness skills into the regular school day can help create more equitable access for students who may not have the resources to attend additional prep programs.
Make Budget Decisions in Spring, Not Fall
By the time fall budgets and instructional priorities are finalized, many testing, curriculum, and intervention decisions for the school year have already been made. Planning for SAT and ACT support in the spring allows schools more time to evaluate programs, align resources with instructional goals, and provide teachers with support before the academic year begins.
Use PSAT and PreACT Data Intentionally
PSAT and PreACT data is often underused once score reports are distributed. When reviewed intentionally, this data can help identify skill gaps, instructional trends, and opportunities for targeted intervention before students reach official testing windows.
Evaluate Prep Vendors Carefully
Not all SAT and ACT prep programs are designed the same way. Before investing in a platform, school leaders should consider a few questions:
- Does the platform align with the current SAT and ACT formats?
- Can it be integrated into existing classroom instruction?
- Is the content accessible for students at varying skill levels?
- Does it provide actionable data for teachers and administrators?
- What training or implementation support is included for educators?
Invest in Professional Development
Even experienced educators may not be familiar with the pacing, structure, or updated exam formats. They may also need support understanding how new SAT and ACT resources fit into classroom instruction.
Professional development focused on test-readiness strategies and classroom implementation can help educators feel more supported and make preparation more sustainable throughout the school year.
What to Avoid
As schools update their approach to college readiness, there are a few common pitfalls educators and school leaders can avoid.
- Relying too heavily on old-format practice materials: Older prep materials, especially paper-based practice tests, may not accurately reflect the pacing, structure, or digital experience students encounter today.
- Overteaching test-taking “tricks” instead of core skills: Pacing and strategy certainly matter, but long-term success still requires a strong foundation, such as reasoning, problem-solving, or core academic skills.
- Ignoring reading fluency and stamina: Students need to sustain focus, process information efficiently, and work through complex passages under time constraints.
- Treating the SAT and ACT as the same exam: Although both tests assess college readiness, they differ in pacing, structure, question style, and the specific skills they emphasize.
- Waiting until junior year to begin preparing: Building college readiness skills is more effective when it happens gradually rather than a short-term burst of test preparation.
Final Thoughts
Today, preparing students for the SAT and ACT requires more than occasional test-prep sessions or last-minute review. Many of the skills assessed on these exams are already part of strong classroom instruction. With intentional planning, targeted practice, and the correct support systems, teachers and school leaders can help students build confidence and readiness.
Most educators don’t have the time or resources to build an exam prep program from scratch. For schools looking to strengthen exam readiness with regular instruction, UWorld’s College Readiness programs are designed to integrate into existing classroom workflows and support both teachers and students throughout the preparation process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should students start preparing for the SAT and ACT?
Students benefit most when college readiness skills are built gradually. Many schools begin introducing SAT and ACT skills development during sophomore year, but foundational reading, writing, and math skills can be reinforced earlier through regular classroom instruction.
Should students take both the SAT and ACT?
It depends. Some students choose to take both exams to compare scores or determine which format better matches their strengths, but many students focus successfully on just one test. The best choice often depends on preferences like pacing, question style, and performance on diagnostic or practice exams.
How many hours of SAT or ACT prep do students need?
There is no set number of prep hours that work for every student. The amount of preparation often depends on a student’s baseline scores, target colleges, and academic strengths. In general, consistent practice over time tends to be more effective than intensive last-minute studying.
Is the digital SAT easier than the paper version?
The digital SAT maintains the same scoring scale and overall level of rigor as the paper-based version.
Are colleges still test-optional?
Some colleges and universities still offer test-optional admissions policies, but requirements vary by institution and change year to year. Even at test-optional schools, strong SAT or ACT scores help support admissions, scholarship opportunities, or course placement decisions.
Additional Resources
- How Teachers Can Help Students Prepare for the New Digital SAT - Article
- Effective SAT Prep Strategies for the Modern Classroom - Blog
- 3 Pathways to ACT and SAT Success - Blog
References
- College Board®. (2024). Digital SAT Launches Across the Country Completing the Transition to Digital.
https://newsroom.collegeboard.org/digital-sat-launches-across-country-completing-transition-digital-and-providing-simpler-testing - ACT. (n.d.). Enhanced ACT - K-12 FAQs.
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act-educator/the-act-test/enhancements-k12/faqs.html - Yale University Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning. (n.d.) Transfer of Knowledge to New Contexts.
https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/transfer-of-knowledge-to-new-contexts - John Dunlosky. (2013). Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: Promising Directions From Cognitive and Educational Psychology.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1529100612453266 - Chunliang Yang, et al. (2023). Do Practice Tests (Quizzes) Reduce or Provoke Test Anxiety? A Meta-Analytic Review.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-023-09801-w.
