We get this question at Within Reach every fall. The answer is that it is, certainly – but not in the way that many people think!

The ACT announcement earlier this year that the Science section would become optional starting April 2025 was really big news! This development, while welcome to many, has also caused some confusion. If your student has already taken the ACT with Science, or is considering it, here’s more information about how the change impacts current score reporting and what students can do to present their strongest testing profile.

Standardized testing can feel like one of the most confusing parts of the college admissions process. The SAT and ACT are two different tests, but both are widely accepted by colleges and universities across the country. So which one should your student take, when should they prepare, and what scores really matter? Let’s break it down.

It was Halloween night, and I was filling out my college applications. I sat at the kitchen table with multiple blue ink pens and a jumbo...