SAT and ACT accommodations, test anxiety strategies, and how students with learning differences can prepare smarter – not just harder – for standardized tests.

The ACT is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades by making the Science section optional and shifting the composite score to a three-subject average.

While this change promises a shorter, less stressful testing experience with more time per question, it introduces a complex strategic layer to college admissions. Though many universities have dropped the Science requirement, several elite institutions and specialized STEM programs continue to mandate or highly recommend it, creating a "mixed signal" landscape for families.

Navigating this new "Enhanced ACT" requires a careful look at a student's specific college list and academic strengths to ensure that opting out doesn't inadvertently weaken an application or limit future opportunities.