Starting next spring, Illinois high school students will transition from taking the SAT to the ACT for their annual state assessments. This change, announced by the Illinois State Board of Education, is part of an effort to align with federal mandates and streamline testing processes. The shift comes amidst a broader trend in higher education towards test-optional admissions policies, where many colleges no longer require standardized test scores for admission. One key advantage of the ACT is its inclusion of a science component, which will eliminate the need for a separate science assessment and reduce overall testing time for 11th graders. Students who still wish to take the SAT or the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test will have to arrange and pay for these exams independently, as the state will no longer cover the costs. Local schools and districts will have the option to administer these additional tests during the school day. The decision to switch to the ACT exam followed a routine procurement process by ISBE, which awarded a six-year, $53 million contract to ACT after the expiration of its agreement with the College Board. This change marks a significant shift in the standardized testing landscape for Illinois students and schools.
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