Why are they getting rid of the ACT?

They aren't getting rid of the ACT; rather, it's undergoing major "enhancements" in 2025-2026, becoming shorter, more flexible (optional science section), digital-friendly, and offering more time per question, all in response to feedback and a broader trend where many colleges went "test-optional" due to equity concerns, making the ACT's traditional format seem less essential for college readiness.

Why are they changing the ACT?

These changes are designed to make the test shorter, less stressful, and more manageable, while still measuring college-readiness skills. No wonder the new version is being called the “Enhanced ACT.”

Are they changing the ACT in 2025?

Yes, the ACT is changing significantly in 2025, rolling out an "Enhanced ACT" with a shorter overall test, more time per question, optional science/writing sections, and changes to math questions (4 choices instead of 5), with the new composite score focusing on English, Math, and Reading starting September 2025 for paper tests. These changes aim to reduce student pressure and offer more flexibility, with the full transition for national paper tests happening in Fall 2025 and school-day tests in Spring 2026. 

Why is the ACT dropping science?

Helps reduce mental fatigue while keeping the same standards. Optional science and writing sections. Colleges still receive a comprehensive ACT score. You can choose what to take based on your goals and strengths.

Do colleges still accept the ACT?

Many other colleges are test optional or test preferred, meaning they use SAT or ACT scores in admission if submitted, and may also use them to award scholarships, place students in appropriate courses, or inform student support and research efforts.

The Real War Behind the Clarity Act

Did Mark Zuckerberg actually get a 1600 on the SAT?

Yes, reports widely state that Mark Zuckerberg scored a perfect 1600 (or sometimes a near-perfect 1590) on his SAT, achieving top marks before attending Harvard University, consistent with his reputation as a gifted student and programmer.
 

What was Taylor Swift's SAT score?

Taylor Swift's SAT score is not publicly known because she left high school early to pursue her music career and never officially took the SATs for college admission, though she was academically successful in high school, graduating early with a 4.0 GPA before focusing on music. She famously called out a practice test for misquoting her lyrics, highlighting her strong grasp of grammar despite not needing the test.
 

Is 36 ACT or 1600 SAT better?

A 36 on the ACT is the highest possible score, and it is considered equivalent to a perfect 1600 on the SAT (the highest score possible on the SAT), according to official concordance tables, meaning they are generally viewed as equally exceptional achievements by colleges. While both represent peak performance, the ACT composite is an average of four sections, while the SAT total is the sum of two, but at this top level, they signify the same elite standing, making both scores highly competitive for any university. 

Is ACT enough for Harvard?

Average ACT: 35

The 25th percentile ACT score is 34, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 36. In other words, a 34 places you below average, while a 36 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute ACT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 34 to have a chance at being considered.

Will SAT and ACT be cancelled?

The SAT/ACT landscape is shifting again: while most U.S. colleges remain test-optional, several top schools are reinstating test requirements between 2025 and 2026, with public systems in Georgia and Florida also mandating scores.

Is 1480 SAT good for Harvard?

A 1480 SAT score is a strong score, placing you in the competitive range for Harvard, but it's slightly below their average (around 1530), so your overall application (essays, extracurriculars, GPA) must be exceptional for admission, as Harvard uses holistic review and many admitted students score higher. It's often considered near the 25th percentile, meaning it's good enough not to hurt your chances if your application is strong, but a higher score (1500+) offers more cushion, especially given Harvard's extreme selectivity. 

What is 75% in ACT score?

A 75th percentile ACT score means you scored higher than 75% of other test-takers, which typically corresponds to a composite score around 24 or 25, making it an excellent score that's strong for most universities, though highly selective schools look for even higher scores. This score demonstrates you're well above the national average (50th percentile, around 19-20) and competitive for many colleges. 

Is ACT harder than SAT?

Neither the ACT nor the SAT is inherently harder; they test similar content but with different styles, so the "harder" test depends on your strengths, with the ACT focusing more on speed and breadth (including Science) and the SAT on deeper problem-solving, vocabulary, and analytical skills with more time per question. Students strong in Science or fast-paced reading may prefer the ACT, while those who prefer more complex questions with slightly more time might find the SAT a better fit, especially for Math.
 

Is it worth taking the ACT again?

Should You Retake the ACT to Improve Your Score? On average, for testers who received an initial score between 13 and 29, the second Composite score increases by one point. When you wonder if one point is worth it to retake the ACT, remember that one point could make a big difference.

Do colleges prefer the ACT or SAT?

You may have heard that colleges in some states prefer the SAT while others favor the ACT, but this isn't true. Colleges don't have a preference. All colleges that accept or require an admission test accept the SAT.

Is the 2025 ACT harder?

Content, however, is a different matter. In addition to the format changes, the ACT has announced some fairly significant changes to the content distribution in the Math section. Overall, more math questions will be testing harder concepts and fewer questions will be testing easier concepts.

What ACT score is top 1%?

The top ACT score is a perfect 36, which places a student in the 99th-100th percentile, meaning they scored better than 99% or 100% of other test-takers, and signifies mastery for first-year college courses. Achieving a 36 is very rare, with only a small fraction of test-takers earning it annually, often requiring near-perfect scores on the English, Math, Reading, and Science sections, though recent changes average English, Reading, and Math for the composite score. 

Is Harvard free if your family makes less than 200k?

Yes, starting in the 2025-26 academic year, Harvard College offers free tuition for families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less, with aid covering full tuition, room, board, and fees, and grants for expenses; families earning under $100,000 get even more comprehensive support, including free room, board, and travel, with a focus on making Harvard accessible to more middle-income students. 

What was Bill Clinton's SAT score?

Bill Clinton

The 42nd president of the United States scored a 1032—12 points above average—on his SAT. Still, Clinton excelled at Georgetown University, where he majored in Foreign Service and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Later, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned a Juris Doctor in 1973.

What is Elon Musk's SAT score?

While Elon Musk hasn't publicly confirmed his exact SAT score, reliable sources, including biographer Walter Isaacson, suggest he scored around 1400 on the SAT in the late 1980s, which some estimate correlates to an IQ in the mid-130s, though official figures remain unverified. 

Did Mark Zuckerberg get a 1600 on SAT?

Yes, reports widely state that Mark Zuckerberg scored a perfect 1600 (or sometimes a near-perfect 1590) on his SAT, achieving top marks before attending Harvard University, consistent with his reputation as a gifted student and programmer.
 

What SAT score is top 1%?

A top 1% SAT score generally starts around 1530 and above, with scores like 1530-1600 placing you in the 99th percentile, indicating exceptional performance, though exact thresholds shift slightly year to year with the test takers. A score of 1450+ is often cited as the top 10% or so, while 1500+ firmly puts you in the top 1-2% for college admissions, with scores like 1560+ often seen as competitive for top universities. 

What was Kobe Bryant's SAT score?

Kobe Bryant scored a 1080 on the SAT, a respectable score that, along with his high school grades, would have qualified him for many top universities, but he chose to go directly to the NBA from high school, becoming one of the first players to do so in the 90s.
 

How many times has Kim Kardashian SAT for the bar?

Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once (July 2025) and failed, but she previously passed the "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in 2021 after failing it three times, demonstrating her persistence in her legal studies. She's continuing her law journey, aiming to pass the main exam in future attempts, as California law allows multiple tries, notes Life & Style. 

Did Taylor Swift have a 4.0 GPA?

Yes, Taylor Swift had a 4.0 GPA in high school, graduating early by completing her junior and senior years through homeschooling in just 12 months alongside her busy music career. She was known as a diligent student, achieving straight A's and even getting a B in math in ninth grade before accelerating her studies, according to reports from Rolling Stone and Quora users.