ACT Updates from the 2022 NTPA Conference

College Test Prep

Jul 1

At the National Test Prep Association conference in Georgia on the weekend of July 11th, ACT’s CEO Janet Goodwin articulated what changes ACT would make in response to the SAT’s tectonic shift to digital testing. What’s changing? Well, not much.

The updates primarily cement ACT’s brand position as the steady, stable testing company, in contrast to the rapid, industry-disrupting changes from the College Board (SAT’s test maker) with their switch to digital testing. The changes, or lack thereof, reflect ACT’s commitment to gradual, considered change.

What’s (Not) Changing

ACT has plans to offer a fully digital exam for all students (not just those who live outside of the U.S.) at some point, but they pledged to keep the paper test as an option no matter what. There is even some talk that they will expand paper testing to international students, who currently must take the computer-based ACT.
Unlike the College Board’s decision in early 2021 to discontinue the SAT Essay, the ACT will keep its optional essay section, the ACT Writing Test.
ACT is not moving forward with section retesting, contrary to the announcement in 2020. (Apparently, colleges were not keen on this proposal.)
ACT has plans to reduce the time crunch on the Reading and Science sections to make the test more equitable, but have yet to announce specifics.

If you have any questions about these updates or would appreciate help preparing for the ACT (or SAT), reach out to our team of expert tutors.

Learn More About ACT Prep

Related Tips & Insights

ACT Checklist: What to Bring for Test Day (Paper and Online)

Ensure a stress-free ACT test day with this comprehensive checklist. Learn what to bring, what to avoid, and essential test-day tips to help you perform at your best.

Navigating the 2025 ACT Enhancements: In-Depth Analysis and Strategic Guidance

Explore the 2025 ACT test changes, including superscoring policy updates, university admissions implications, and content rebalancing. Get expert advice tailored for students and educators to navigate these enhancements effectively.

Decoding Your 2024 PSAT and PSAT 10 Scores

Understanding PSAT and PSAT 10 scores helps juniors and sophomores gauge SAT readiness, consider ACT options, and plan effective prep.

Big Changes Are Coming to ACT in 2025 – Here’s What You Need to Know

The ACT is evolving, and the updates rolling out in 2025 will bring some exciting and impactful changes. If you’re planning to take the test soon, here’s everything you need to know about what’s new, how it will affect your prep, and what you can do to stay ahead.

New Accessibility Features in Bluebook: What SAT Students with Learning Differences Need to Know

Navigating the SAT can be challenging for any student, but for those with learning differences, the hurdles can feel even more daunting.

Top Ten Tips for Time Management During Standardized Tests

Learn how to tackle the unique challenge of time pressure on standardized tests. Discover strategies to improve your pacing and maximize your performance under the clock.

To Compete with SAT, ACT Trials Shorter, Digitized Test in June

In the competitive world of standardized testing, staying ahead means adapting to change. This year, both SAT and ACT embrace shorter as better.

How to Maximize the Use of Onscreen Tools on the Digital SAT

The December SAT marks the end of an era. This will be the final iteration of the paper-based SAT, as the test shifts to an entirely digital format in March 2024.

Test Scores are Helpful for More than Just Merit Aid

In an era when many colleges have shifted to test-blind or test-optional admissions policies, you may associate test scores merely with securing merit aid or scholarships. However, their significance extends far beyond financial assistance. In fact, because test scores remain powerful indicators of a student's academic potential, raising your SAT or ACT scores makes you a more viable applicant for admission, thus opening doors to a world of educational opportunities.

Preparing for the Digital SAT: Essential Tools and Resources

The SAT is on the verge of a major transformation as it embraces a digital format. This shift is set to shake up the way students approach the test, reinforcing the importance of using the most effective resources available when preparing for the SAT.

Understanding the Digital PSAT: Everything High School Sophomores and Juniors Should Know

Now more than ever, the PSAT plays a crucial role in preparing high schoolers for the SAT. As both tests transition to a digital format this fall and next spring, it's important for students to get an overview of the digital PSAT's nuances to prepare effectively for it as well as future standardized tests.

ACT Plans to Expand Online Testing in US

After an initial pilot in December, ACT hopes to offer its exam in a computer-based format alongside paper-and-pencil in more testing centers across the US into 2024.

5 Key Differences Between the PSAT and SAT

It's common to feel anxiety and uncertainty before the PSAT or SAT. Here are a few key differences between the two tests to know in order to calm your nerves!

How to Interpret your PSAT Score Report

The College Board provides a sample PSAT score report, which is a helpful way to become familiar with the different components of your score. Each report begins with a cover page, including the student’s name, high school, and other identifying information. But the second page is where the real information begins..

Digital SAT Practice Tests Now Live

College Board releases practice exams for the new test format, showcases onscreen test-taking tools, including a Desmos calculator.

College Board Drops New Specs on Digital SAT

College Board is taking seriously the role of students as primary users, and the Digital SAT represents a massive effort to make the test more user-friendly. If this effort is successful, the number of test-takers annually will increase, rather than decrease (as predicted by test-optional proponents), which may make deciding not to submit test scores harder to justify for many students.

ACT Updates from the 2022 NTPA Conference

At the National Test Prep Association conference in Georgia on the weekend of July 11th, ACT’s CEO Janet Goodwin articulated what changes ACT would make in response to the SAT’s tectonic shift to digital testing. What’s changing? Well, not much.

ACT Strategies: How to Succeed in College Admissions, on the Test, and Beyond

While the ACT measures the skills and knowledge you have learned in high school, it is also an excellent way to gain more choice in your first-year class schedule, receive merit aid, and stand out from other applicants in the admissions process.

The Latest on the Digital SAT

We’ve posted a lot lately about the College Board’s announcement of a fully digital SAT test format. In this post, we will break down the most recent round of updates on digital testing from a test preparation industry meeting with the College Board.

More Details Released About the Digital SAT

Today, a group of test prep professionals met with the College Board to learn more details about the digital SAT. Here’s what we learned.

Why the Digital SAT Matters Now

The College Board announced a plan to transform the paper-based SAT into a condensed, adaptive digital assessment. Here’s why today’s students should care.

Understanding Your PSAT Scores

For many high school juniors, the October PSAT/NMSQT was their first foray into standardized testing. Reading the recently released score reports can be close to as challenging as taking the test itself. If you’re wondering what your PSAT score report indicates or why the test is important in the first place, look no further. We’ve compiled a short list of insights to help you maximize your results.

Demystifying the National Merit Scholarship Process

After a year of distance learning and cancelled tests, even the words “National Merit” might intimidate. We’re here to simplify the process.

How (and Why) You Should Prepare for the PSAT

October is famous among US teenagers for two things: Halloween and PSAT memes. (Humblebrag: one of my students once blocked @CollegeBoard on Twitter.) Since I’m legally prohibited from taking the PSAT and I absolutely cannot comprehend what a “shrimp ex-husband” could be, this post cannot contribute anything further to the important national conversation around PSAT memes. Instead, get ready for a journey into the inner machinations of the PSAT itself.

How to Navigate ACT Reading’s New VQI Questions

In a surreptitious change, ACT has updated their description of the Reading test to include a short blurb about “Visual and Quantitative Information” questions in that section of the exam. The “new” question types will appear on test booklets during National Testing dates beginning this year, and will contribute to students’ scores in the Information and Knowledge of Ideas reporting category.

Strategies for the Computer-Based SAT and ACT

The College Board and ACT are rolling out computer-based versions of their exams for all US students. Mastering the digital tools they provide will be the key to success on these online tests.

Test-Optional FAQs: Is it worth taking the SAT or ACT?

As a majority of universities implement test-optional policies for this year’s admissions cycle, students have been asking us whether it’s worth it to take the SAT or ACT. Our expert tutors weighed in on the most common questions we’ve received from parents and students this fall.

ACTSATDigital SATTest PrepTest OptionalCollege AdmissionsCollege Board

North Avenue Education .

ACT Updates from the 2022 NTPA Conference

At the National Test Prep Association conference in Georgia on the weekend of July 11th, ACT’s CEO Janet Goodwin articulated what changes ACT would make in response to the SAT’s tectonic shift to digital testing. What’s changing? Well, not much.

What’s (Not) Changing

LOCATIONS

CONNECT

ABOUT