SAT vs. ACT: Decision-Making After Your March Test Result

It’s April already (no joke). If you took your standardized test, then waited patiently for your test to be graded, you’ve got your March test results back. You finally have the score.

What should you do with it?

In this article, we're breaking down what your standardized test results actually mean and how you stack up against the competition in college admissions. Right now, you have options; so let’s review the smartest moves you can make in the high-stakes world of standardized testing today.

If you need a refresher on the SAT vs. ACT, check out this light guide to testing history. Searching for a slightly deeper introduction to testing in the context of college applications? This guide goes beyond the acronyms to discuss the details of these two main exams and the central differences between them.

If you haven’t already received the notification about your results, you should follow up. Here’s what the typical release timeline looked like.

The March 14th SAT scores were released approximately 13-14 days after the test day. Colleges then receive these scores about 10 days after they are released to the student.

How can they do the grading so fast? Because the SAT is now fully digital and adaptive, College Board can process results more quickly than with the old paper format, releasing scores in batches throughout the day instead of all at once.

ACT results typically begin appearing online around 10 days after test day. This is usually the second Tuesday after the Saturday exam. Almost all the scores are available within a 2-4 week window after the test date, but it depends on your test: if you opted to submit the writing/essay portion, those scores take a few weeks longer.

If you are a junior (rising senior), your realistic testing window is limited to spring and early fall. After that, your focus should shift towards building your application, not additional testing.

If you’ve already sat for the exam, then you know the basics of the format and material, so we’ll keep this brief. Here’s a quick review as a refresher.

The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600, combining two sections: Reading & Writing (200-800) and Math (200-800). The number of questions you answer correctly (your “raw score”) is converted to scaled scores to ensure fairness across test dates. 

One important feature of the digital SAT is its adaptive structure: your performance on Module 1 of each section determines your Module 2. This means two students can see different questions and still receive comparable scores.

Another important note: there is no penalty for wrong answers on the SAT. That’s why guessing has merit.

For a detailed breakdown of what’s inside your SAT score report, visit College Board’s score report explainer.

The ACT uses a different but equally straightforward structure. Each of the four sections (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science) is scored on a scale of 1-36, and your composite score is simply the average of all four section scores. 

What’s covered? The ACT covers English, mathematics, and reading, with science now optional for online test-takers.

Just like the SAT, there’s no guessing penalty, so always fill in an answer even when you’re uncertain.

For more detail on your ACT score report and how your score is calculated, head to ACT’s official score understanding page.

This video provides a good overview of the two exams in 2026:

Naturally, this is the question everyone asks first. It’s understandable. You want to know if your hard work was worth it. But there’s no easy answer. The honest (and unpopular) answer is, “it depends.” Some colleges superscore, meaning that they combine your highest section scores across multiple test dates. Others don’t.

But let’s start with the national benchmarks for individual scores.

The national average SAT score in 2025 was 1029. From there, the scale climbs quickly: a score of 1350 or above places you in approximately the top 10% of test-takers, while hitting 1450 or higher puts you in the top 1%.

Keep in mind that score improvements become harder at higher ranges. So, moving from a 1200 to a 1300 is generally easier than moving from a 1450 to a 1500.

What does it all mean for you? Not much, at least not directly. Rather than fixating on national averages, look up the 25th-75th percentile score range for each college on your application list. That will tell you where the middle of a school’s admitted class lands, and gives you a much more actionable goalpost that relates to your individual situation.

The national average ACT composite score sits at approximately 19.5. For students aiming at selective schools, 30 and above is a strong target, and places you at the 93rd percentile nationally.

What makes the ACT particularly interesting is how much a small score increase can matter in the middle of the scale. A jump of just three points (say, from 17 to 20) can shift you from the 46th to the 63rd percentile. That’s a meaningful leap in college applications, and achievable with targeted preparation.

Here’s the messier truth: the national average is almost irrelevant to your specific situation. What matters is where you stand relative to the admitted student profiles at the schools you’re actually applying to. For a broader framework on how standardized testing fits into the high school application timeline, Empowerly’s Guide to High School Exams is a great resource. Download your copy here!

Getting your score back is only the beginning. Now, the more important question is what your next move should be. 

The answer depends on how much time you have. After all, time spent on test prep is time not spent improving your GPA, activities, or essays. At a certain point, improving other parts of your application delivers a better return.

The clearest retake signal is this: if your score falls below the 50th-75th percentile mark for your target schools, there’s room (and reason) to try again. Most college counselors recommend taking the SAT at least twice to take the pressure off and make sure you give your best effort.

Before registering for a retake, though, do your homework first. Will you have time to meaningfully improve your score? Use your score report to identify specific areas of weakness. A retake only pays off if you address the root cause of the missed points. Registering again without a clear preparation plan is unlikely to have the effect you want.

If you’re ready to schedule your next attempt, the upcoming SAT dates include May 2nd and June 6th, with fall dates starting in August. For ACT test-takers, the next national test date is April 11th, 2026, followed by June 13th.

Scenario A: you landed above the 75th percentile for your target schools. Honestly, you’re probably done! This is a strong score. Only consider a retake if the other parts of your application are already as strong as they can be.

Scenario B: you scored between the 25th and 75th percentile. Retake once, with a focused prep plan.

Scenario C: you scored below the 25th percentile for your target schools. Retake or consider applying to more test-optional programs, depending on the strength of the rest of your profile.

If your current score isn’t where you want it to be, switching tests is always on the table. That said, switching tests is not a shortcut. You’ll be starting over with a new format, new timing, and new strategy. So only switch if there’s a clear mismatch between your strengths and the test structure. 

Trying the other test format may also make sense, if: 

• Your section scores are heavily uneven. This indicates that your skills may not cleanly align with the structure of the test you took.
• You struggled with the format. On test day, if you feel negatively about the structure or don’t understand the questions, you should consider whether the other format would work better for you.
• You’ve already prepared extensively for this test and hit a ceiling. If you’ve taken multiple prep courses, done full-length practice tests, and still can’t break through your target score range, it may be time to try a full switch in approach.

If any of the above scenarios resonate with you, try taking a full-length, timed practice test of the other exam before committing to registration. Free official practice tests are available for both the SAT and ACT. This experiment will help you confirm whether switching tests is the right call before you commit.

This video has some great tips and tricks to help you decide which test (SAT vs. ACT) is the better fit for you in 2026.

Your March test score, whether for the SAT or ACT, is simply the first data point on your path to college. You have room to try again. No matter your results, the key is to transform that score into an actionable plan. Revisit the decision tree: interpret your result, benchmark it against the averages of your target schools, and choose your next strategic move. 

Most of all, remember, there is no universal "best" next step; your optimal strategy is deeply personal. Your best move might be a retake, a switch to the other test, or concluding your standardized testing for good. It all hinges on your specific college list, the time you have before application deadlines, and an honest assessment of which test sections offer you the most potential for score improvement. 

Empowerly can help. Our counseling team has decades of experience in college admissions. If you’d like a second opinion on your college application profile, our Admissions Committee Review might be the tool you’re seeking. Visit our website and book a free consultation to discuss our services, and whether our test prep program is the right fit for your student.