SAT and ACT for California Students: What You Actually Need to Know

Every year, California families spend hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours preparing for standardized tests that many of their target colleges will never look at. Before your student signs up for the SAT or ACT, answer one question: does your college list actually require it?

The California policy landscape in 2026

Then why do so many California students still take them?

A few legitimate reasons:

• Private and out-of-state schools on the list. If a student is applying to any test-optional or test-required schools outside the UC/CSU system, a strong score can help. At test-optional schools, submitting a strong score is generally advantageous. Submitting a weak one usually is not.
• National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT/NMSQT (taken in 11th grade) is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students who score in the top percentile in their state become National Merit Semifinalists and compete for scholarships. The SAT itself is required for verification. For students with a realistic shot at National Merit, the SAT matters.
• Military academy applications. The U.S. Military Academy (West Point), Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Coast Guard Academy all require SAT or ACT scores. Students pursuing this path should plan for testing.
• Some merit scholarships at private colleges. Even at test-optional schools, some merit scholarship programs still use SAT/ACT scores as part of their criteria. Check each school's scholarship policies separately from their admission policies.

SAT vs. ACT: which one?

Both tests are accepted everywhere. The right choice depends on which format plays to your student's strengths.

Take a free practice test of each before committing. Khan Academy offers free SAT prep. ACT Academy offers free ACT prep. Both are legitimate preparation resources that cost nothing.

When to test, and how many times

• PSAT (10th grade): low-stakes practice. Good for familiarizing with the format. Does not affect college applications.
• PSAT/NMSQT (11th grade): this one counts for National Merit. Take it seriously if your student is competitive.
• First SAT or ACT attempt (spring of 11th grade): March, April, May, or June. This leaves time to see results and plan a retake.
• Retake if needed (fall of 12th grade): August, September, or October. Most application deadlines are October 15 through January 1. A fall retake fits the timeline for nearly all schools.
• How many times: most students who retake improve. Two to three attempts is typical. More than that usually produces diminishing returns. SuperScoring (many colleges take the highest section scores across multiple test dates) means retaking rarely hurts.

Fee waivers: free tests for qualifying students

Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, are enrolled in federal assistance programs, or meet income guidelines can get SAT and ACT fee waivers that cover the test registration cost entirely. In California, school counselors can request waivers directly through College Board (SAT) and ACT, Inc.

SAT fee waivers also waive application fees at many colleges, which is a separate benefit worth requesting even if your student does not plan to submit scores everywhere. Ask your school counselor before October of 11th grade.

The question to ask before registering

Pull up your student's college list. Look up the testing policy for each school. Sort them into three columns: test-blind, test-optional, and test-required. If every school is in the first two columns and your student has a realistic shot at good-enough scores for the test-optional schools, taking the test is a reasonable investment of time. If every school is UC or CSU, the time is better spent on A-G coursework, grades, and the application itself.