SAT or ACT? What should we take and why? 

Written By Josie Mai

"Our son says that, no matter what score he gets on the test this weekend, he has learned so much from you. Thank you for making this experience relevant for him." 

- Myriah, mother of a student in the Class of 2026

​I will now stop calling and asking individual colleges about their ACT Science policy because there are two members in IECA (my professional organization) who've already been doing it. Thank you to those patient people! Here is a link to a post from Edison Prep that shows the data they have culled from their multitudinous phone calls regarding recent changes to the ACT.

https://edisonprep.com/is-science-optional/

​Here are my major takeaways: 

  • If you are applying to 12 or more schools, and you choose to take the ACT, you should go ahead and take the Science section because the chances are SMALL that one or more of your schools will not shift to requiring the science section. 

  • If you are planning to go into a STEM field, you need to take Science. 

  • As of October, 2025, a ton of schools STILL don't know what their policy is, or might be, or will be.

My recommendation: Take the DSAT

When it comes to taking the SAT or the ACT, it's Visa or Mastercard. Colleges do not weigh one over the other. They are same same.

Why I recommend the DSAT (Digital SAT):

  • There is an embedded reference sheet for math

  • There are embedded graphing and scientific calculators

  • There are fewer questions

  • There is more time to think and work on each item 

  • The reading questions are discreet, meaning you do not have to read and remember details from lengthy passages accompanied by 8-10 questions

Do I still coach for the ACT?

  • Yes, I do.


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Josie Mai https://josiemai.com
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