Score At The Top Blog
The latest tips, tricks, and education to help you get into your top college.
Will California Kill Test-Optional? Over 1,100 UC Professors Hope So
Over 1,100 UC professors signed an open letter calling for SAT/ACT reinstatement. Why California's test-blind decision drove the test-optional era – and how it could end it.
The Path to College is Paved with Calculus: Three Routes Back if Middle School Math Got Off Track
Enrolling in calculus as a senior often hinges on a middle school decision. Here are three routes back to AP Calc if Algebra 1 didn't happen early in your student's track.
Is 1440 SAT Enough for Out-of-State UF Applicant? The Honest Math Behind a 60-Point Retake
A 1440 sits at the median of UF's fall middle 50%. A 1500 lands near the 75th percentile. What a retake is actually worth for out-of-state families.
How Florida Families Can Use a 529 Plan for SAT, ACT, and Academic Tutoring in 2026
Federal law now lets Florida families use 529 funds for SAT/ACT prep and K–12 tutoring – up to $20,000/year in 2026. Here's how to do it right.
The ACT Science Section Is Optional. But that Doesn't Mean You Should Skip It.
ACT science is optional, but colleges set their own requirements for it. A Florida test prep guide on which schools require it, what Bright Futures says, and how to decide.
What Students With Learning Differences Need to Know About the SAT and ACT
SAT and ACT accommodations, test anxiety strategies, and how students with learning differences can prepare smarter – not just harder – for standardized tests.
The ACT Science Section Is Now Optional – Here's What That Actually Means for Your Student
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.
