The SAT and ACT: What Athletes Need to Know

A question we hear from nearly every athlete: do I need to take the SAT or ACT? The answer is not a straight yes or no. What actually matters in 2026:

NCAA eligibility does not require test scores

As of 2023, the NCAA no longer uses SAT or ACT scores to decide initial eligibility. What counts now is your core GPA and the courses you complete.

Division I requires a core GPA of 2.3 or better across 16 approved core courses. Division II requires 2.2. Those courses follow a specific structure: four years of English, three of math, two of science, two of social science, and four more from a list of approved options.

The 10/7 rule matters too. A set number of those core courses must be completed before your seventh semester starts, which is the beginning of senior year. Courses taken after that point do not count retroactively. If you discover a gap in your core courses at the start of senior year, you may not be able to close it in time. Check your course list during sophomore and junior year, not later.

University admission is a separate process

This is where athletes get confused. NCAA eligibility and university admission are two different processes, and you need both.

NCAA eligibility decides whether you can practice, compete, and receive athletic aid. University admission decides whether you get into the school at all. Many universities still require SAT or ACT scores for admission, including some Division I programs. An athlete can be fully cleared by the NCAA and still be denied admission because their test scores do not meet the school's standards.

So the question is not whether you need the tests. It is whether your target schools need them. Research each program's admission requirements directly before you decide to skip the SAT or ACT.

Why take the test anyway

Even when your schools are test optional, there are reasons to take one of these exams.

Academic scholarships often require a score. Some merit programs, like the National Merit Scholarship, are built entirely around test performance. A strong score also gives coaches a more complete academic profile, which can help you stand out in a recruiting class.

A good score never hurts your application. It can only help.

SAT or ACT: which one?

Colleges accept both equally, so pick the test that fits your strengths. The differences are real.

The ACT has a dedicated science section. The SAT does not, although science appears lightly in its reading and math sections. Strong in science? Lean toward the ACT. The ACT also allows a calculator on every math question, while the SAT restricts calculator use for part of the math section.

The SAT gives you more time per question and is shorter overall: about 2 hours and 14 minutes. The ACT runs about 3 hours, longer with the optional essay. If you prefer a faster pace, the ACT suits you. If you want more time per question, the SAT is the better fit.

The best way to decide is to take a practice test of each and compare your scores. Go with the one you score higher on.

What a good score looks like

The SAT is scored out of 1600. The national average in 2023 was 1024. The ACT is scored out of 36, with a 2023 national average of 19.5.

Those averages are starting points only. What counts is where your target schools set their bar. A score that is strong for one program may be average for another. Look up the middle 50 percent range for admitted students at each school on your list, and aim for the top of that range.

Plan your testing around your timeline

If you are on an 18 month recruiting timeline, your testing window falls in the summer before senior year. That gives you time to retake a test if your first score misses the mark. Schedule your test dates early. Registration deadlines come faster than you expect, and the good slots fill up.

Not sure which test fits your profile or what your target schools require? Book a free consultation and we'll map out your testing plan alongside your recruiting timeline. No upfront cost, no obligation.