NOT EVERYONE LOVES A COMEBACK STORY

The scene was grim in late March and early April 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, the world began to shut down—and college students were caught in the chaos. Many had planned a busy spring dedicated to improving their test scores. Some were registered to take the ACT or SAT, only to find out on test day that their testing site had canceled the exam.

Students taking the test for the first time faced a new reality: many of the colleges on their list required test scores, and now, they would be unable to report one before application deadlines.

In response, colleges moved quickly. They rolled out test-optional policies and waived score requirements for Fall 2020 and Fall 2021 admissions. Eventually, many extended these policies further, to include students applying through Fall 2024 or 2025.

ACT and College Board Wake Up to Find They’ve Been Benched

Almost overnight, the ACT and SAT went from being major players in the college admissions process to sitting on the sidelines. To put it into perspective: it was like watching a Super Bowl MVP finish a record-breaking season, only to be cut from the team the following year.

When that happens, the only thing a player can do is start over and work to become relevant again.

"The College Board and ACT are the biggest money-making nonprofits around."

At first, this statement sounded exaggerated—but as time went on, it felt closer to the truth. With their place in the admissions process suddenly uncertain, both organizations scrambled to protect their existence.

In the summer of 2020, ACT began promoting a new digital version of the exam, expected to launch in the fall. It had been in the works even before the pandemic, and they seemed ready to meet the moment. I remember encouraging my students to consider this option as we awaited registration to open for the September test.

But when registration finally opened in August, the digital option had disappeared. The announcement was gone from their website with no notice or explanation. They had abandoned the project—they simply weren’t ready.

College Board was a bit further behind. They poured their energy into developing an online AP exam platform for Spring 2020. Only after that did they turn their focus to making the SAT relevant again.

Reinventing the Test

To appeal to a test-optional audience, the SAT was redesigned. The exam became shorter, long reading passages were replaced with brief, single-question excerpts, and the math section allowed calculators throughout. The test felt easier, but the scoring system adjusted for the new format to maintain consistent rigor.

Importantly, the new digital SAT was adaptive: it adjusted to the student’s ability level. Lower-performing students received easier questions, while advanced students saw more difficult ones. The result? Two students could miss the same number of questions and walk away with different scores, depending on which version of the test they took.

Despite this complexity, students began choosing the digital SAT over the ACT. It felt shorter, easier, and more manageable—even if their ACT score might have been higher.

In response, ACT has recently released its own streamlined version: a shorter exam, more time per question, condensed reading passages, and an optional science section.

2025: The Rebound Begins

Now, in 2025, colleges are once again re-evaluating how to measure student performance. After several years of relying on GPAs, essays, and course rigor, many institutions are beginning to miss the national standard that the ACT and SAT provide.

Let’s face it: a 4.0 GPA doesn’t mean the same thing at every high school. Rigor and grading vary widely. The only consistent metric—imperfect as it may be—is the standardized test.

Of course, this doesn’t mean the playing field is perfectly level. Socioeconomic disparities, access to prep resources, and test anxiety continue to affect outcomes.

The ACT and SAT: Comeback Story of the Year

Like it or not, the ACT and SAT are making a comeback. With AI technology now casting doubt on the authenticity of essays and recommendation letters, colleges are increasingly relying on test scores for admissions, academic program placement, and scholarships.

It’s a tough reality but students are needing to be pointed to outside help for preparing for the ACT and SAT. At, 4C we are seeing this across the U.S. as more schools approach us about their services. We may not be cheering for the "comeback kids" of college admissions, but they’re back in the game and a major force to be reckoned with.  Go to 4cstrong.com/christian-schools to see how 4C can provide Biblically Integrated ACT and SAT test prep materials for your high school students.