College Entrance Exams 101: SAT vs. ACT. vs. CLT

If you’re planning to apply to college, chances are you’ve started hearing a lot about college entrance exams — especially the SAT, ACT, and newer CLT. These standardized tests help colleges evaluate your readiness for college-level work and your potential for academic success.

Even as many schools still have test-optional or test-blind policies, entrance exams can still play a major role in scholarship eligibility and admissions decisions. Understanding which test is right for you, how to prepare effectively, and when to take it can make a big difference in your college journey.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the SAT, ACT, and CLT — from how they differ to when to schedule your test, plus insider prep strategies that can help you perform your best on exam day.

What Are College Entrance Exams

College entrance exams (or admissions tests) have been around for over 100 years. The goal was to be able to level the playing field of applicants. Given that one high school may teach one process, and another, a different process, the goal was to be able to asset outcomes nationwide (or worldwide).

Since the 1920s, these tests have been used to standardize the admissions process.

The College Board was founded in 1900 to organize the college admissions process used by colleges and universities across the U.S. At its founding, the Board had two distinct goals:

• It wanted to provide a forum for discussing issues related to college access and curriculum.
• It wanted to standardize the college admissions process. 

The organization ultimately debuted the SAT in 1926, and other common entrance exams have come into use since then. Many schools today still rely on scores from these same entrance exams nearly 100 years later.

Common Entrance Exams

The two most often-used college entrance exams are the SAT and the ACT. The CLT is relatively new but growing in popularity. Colleges may accept either score to assess an applicant’s eligibility for admission and merit-based scholarships, but the three tests differ in numerous ways. Here’s an overview of how they compare:

Many students end up taking both tests given their similar content and scale. This can be helpful for a few reasons:

• Submitting scores from both tests gives admissions offices more information to make a sound decision, and more information is better in this case.
• It increases your chance of receiving merit-based financial aid, either from the college itself or from an external source.
• Taking both tests creates more flexibility in choosing testing dates and opens up your options for schools you can apply to.

Beyond the SAT and ACT, the Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a newer option available to students. Created in 2015, the CLT’s founder wanted to “provide alternative standardized tests rooted in tradition and taking advantage of modern technologies.” With the goal of helping students “become better human beings,” the CLT is accepted by over 250 colleges.

The test takes two hours to complete and includes questions related to verbal reasoning, grammar, writing, and quantitative reasoning. Like the ACT, the essay portion of the CLT is optional and adds 30 minutes to the total test time.

Average 2024 SAT score: 1024 (on a scale of 400-1600)
Average 2024 ACT score: 19.4 (on a scale of 1-36)

2024 Percentiles For SAT Section Scores*

*Section scores are approximate based on SAT percentiles found here.

2024 Percentiles For ACT Section Scores*

* Section scores are approximate based on ACT percentiles found here.

Preparation and Timing for College Entrance Exams

Regardless of which test you choose to take, knowing how to properly prepare for it and manage your time can mean a world of difference in the outcome.

Test Prep

Having taken both the SAT and the ACT myself, here are some test prep strategies I recommend:

• Get started with the right materials. Request a test prep guide from your school or purchase one online. Make sure your guide has at least two full sample tests to practice with.
• Register for your test date. Visit the exam’s official website to schedule your test date and location.
  Give yourself enough time to study. Build a plan to study for three to five hours each week, starting three to six months prior to your test date, at least.
• Consider alternative study methods. Study with a friend group, hire a private tutor, or work with a test prep company.
• Simulate the testing environment. I highly recommend that you simulate the test environment you will be in by running timed practice tests in a quiet room. This can help you get comfortable with performing under pressure.
• Learn a few stress management techniques. The testing environment can feel unnatural and, as a result, cause your nerves to spike. Find easy ways to calm your mind, like closing your eyes and counting to 10, chewing gum, or using the 4-7-8 breathing technique.

Time It Intelligently

Time is important for college entrance exams in two main ways. First how far in advance you should test? That depends on a variety of things, including where you apply to college, what your admission cutoff dates are, and whether you want to allow time to retest if needed.

Most colleges have an offer acceptance deadline of May 1, referred to as the “regular decision deadline,” though many schools also have an “early” decision cutoff the previous fall season for students who have their heart set on a specific school. This means you need to schedule your exam far enough in advance to allow time to test and submit your full college application. You'll want to test least three months ahead of your desired college’s application deadline.

The second important time factor is, of course, managing your time in the testing room once the test date arrives. You want to arrive prepared for your big day. That may include wearing a silent wristwatch and being highly familiar with the exam format. But beyond that, keep in mind that different sections of the exam have different levels of difficulty, so don’t spend the same amount of time on each question.

Most importantly, be sure to use all the time you’re given. If you finish a section early, take the extra time to glance back over your answers, especially any you feel unsure of.

Familiarizing yourself with your test’s timing in advance will help you better budget your time come test day. Here’s a general breakdown of the two main tests’ respective structures:

Structure of the SAT

Structure of the ACT

Relax a Little

Your test score can take anywhere from one to three weeks to arrive after your test date.

Before you click that link in your email or log in to check your score, take a deep breath. Did you work hard to prep for your test? Yes. Have you been lying awake at night wondering how you did? Perhaps. This is the moment of truth — but keep in mind that your score isn’t the sole factor deciding your fate in the college admissions process. 

Test-Optional Colleges: Do You Still Need To Take These Tests?

There are times when a college may not require you to submit exam scores. Referred to as “test-optional” schools, these colleges allow applicants to forgo submitting standardized test scores with their applications. This is sometimes only offered to students who meet certain GPA or class rank requirements; at other times, all students may opt out of submitting test scores.

If your desired school is test-optional, consider these alternative ways of bolstering your admissions application:

Strengthen your GPA. Your high school GPA sends a clear message to an admissions committee about how academically equipped you are, and it will be used to rank you among other applicants. A higher GPA can put you in the running for merit-based scholarships, so it’s something you’ll want to focus on while you can.

Enhance your extracurriculars. Noteworthy extracurricular activities communicate your commitment to life and hobbies outside of school, demonstrating that you can balance your academic workload with personal responsibilities. Though extracurriculars weigh less on your admissions decision than your GPA or test scores, they can indicate your attainment of soft skills, which are critical to successfully navigating your college experience.

The SAT and the ACT are the two most popular college entrance exams used to complement your admissions application. While not every school requires that you take these tests, they can be important indicators of your analytical ability and predictors of your academic success.

As you start thinking about college, create a timeline to help keep you on track, including test prep, exam registration, and submitting your college application forms. Graduation day will be here before you know it!

🎓 FAQs About College Entrance Exams

1. How many times can I take the SAT or ACT?

You can take the SAT as many times as you like — it’s offered seven times per year in the U.S. Most students take it two or three times. The ACT can also be taken multiple times annually, and many colleges superscore your results, using your highest section scores across attempts.

2. Is the SAT now digital?

Yes, the SAT is fully digital for U.S. students. The new digital format is shorter (about two hours) and adaptive, meaning question difficulty adjusts based on your performance. The ACT remains a paper-based test for now, though some testing centers offer computer-based options.

3. What’s considered a good SAT or ACT score?

A “good” score depends on your college goals. For most schools, a SAT score above 1200 or ACT score above 25 is considered strong. Highly selective universities often look for SAT scores above 1450 or ACT scores above 32. Always check your target school’s middle 50% score range.

4. How long are SAT and ACT scores valid?

SAT and ACT scores are valid for five years from your test date. However, some colleges prefer scores from within the past two or three years to ensure they reflect your current academic ability.

5. What’s the difference between test-optional and test-blind colleges?

• Test-optional: You can choose whether or not to submit your SAT or ACT scores. If submitted, they’ll be considered.
• Test-blind: The college will not consider test scores at all, even if you send them.
  Always verify each school’s policy on its admissions page.

6. When should I take my college entrance exams?

Most students take the SAT or ACT for the first time in spring of their junior year and again in fall of their senior year. This allows time for retakes and ensures your scores arrive before college application deadlines. Follow The College Investor's College Admission Checklist for more.

7. Can I get scholarships with my SAT or ACT score?

Yes. Many colleges and private organizations offer merit-based scholarships tied to standardized test scores. Higher scores can also improve your eligibility for honors programs and state scholarship programs, so even test-optional students may benefit from testing.

8. Do community colleges require entrance exams?

Most community colleges are test-optional or test-free. Instead, they may use placement tests in math and English to determine your starting courses. However, strong SAT or ACT scores can sometimes help you test out of remedial classes.

9. What happens if I miss my test date?

If you miss your SAT or ACT test date due to illness or an emergency, you can often reschedule for a future test by paying a small change fee. Always check the policies on College Board or ACT.org as soon as possible.

10. How do I decide between the SAT and ACT?

Take a practice test for both. The SAT emphasizes reasoning and evidence-based reading, while the ACT includes a science section and faster pacing. If you excel at data interpretation and time management, the ACT may fit you better. If you prefer deeper analysis and fewer questions, consider the SAT.