The Kentucky Department of Education has finalized a significant change in its statewide college admissions testing program. Beginning in the spring of 2026, all public high school juniors will take the SAT during the school day, replacing the ACT, which has been the state's long-standing provider. The new four-year contract with the College Board is expected to save the state up to $350,000 annually.
Key Takeaways
- Kentucky will switch from the ACT to the SAT for its state-funded college admissions exam starting in spring 2026.
- The Kentucky Department of Education signed a four-year contract with the College Board.
- The state anticipates saving up to $350,000 per year with the new agreement, which costs $30 per student.
- High school juniors will take the new digital SAT, which is shorter, adaptive, and provides faster results.
- A formal protest against the contract was reviewed and denied by state officials, allowing the transition to proceed.
A Shift in Statewide Standardized Testing
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has officially awarded a multi-year contract to the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT. This decision marks the end of a long-term partnership with ACT, Inc. The previous agreement with ACT concluded on June 30, 2025, prompting the state to seek new proposals for its testing services.
Under the new terms, the College Board will provide the SAT to all public high school juniors as part of Kentucky's required state testing. The contract establishes a fixed cost of $30 per student and is set to last for four years. State education officials project this could result in annual savings of as much as $350,000.
Background on the Procurement Process
The selection of the College Board followed the Kentucky Model Procurement Code. This process requires state agencies to use a competitive request for proposals to evaluate vendors based on technical quality and cost. The KDE's decision came after a thorough review of the proposals submitted.
Benefits of the New Digital SAT
Education officials highlighted several advantages for students associated with the move to the SAT. The test is now offered in a fully digital format, which is designed to be more accessible and less stressful for test-takers.
Robbie Fletcher, the state's Commissioner of Education, commented on the change. He emphasized the resources that will now be available to Kentucky students.
"The move to the SAT gives Kentucky students access to powerful tools that support their success, like free, personalized practice through Khan Academy and a new digital format that's shorter, adaptive and designed to be more student-friendly with fast score reporting," Fletcher stated.
The digital SAT is notably shorter than its paper-based predecessor and the ACT. It is also an adaptive test, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on a student's performance on earlier sections. This format is intended to provide a more accurate assessment of a student's abilities in a shorter amount of time.
Key Features of the Digital SAT
- Shorter Test Time: The digital SAT takes about two hours, compared to nearly three hours for the ACT.
- Adaptive Format: The test adjusts question difficulty based on student responses for a more efficient assessment.
- Faster Scoring: Students receive their scores in days rather than weeks.
- Free Preparation: All students gain access to the Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy, offering personalized study plans.
Contract Awarded After Protest Denial
The transition to the College Board was not without challenges. According to the KDE, a formal protest regarding the contract award was filed on July 14. This prompted a comprehensive review of the procurement process to ensure all state laws were followed.
The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet worked with the KDE to investigate the claim. On September 23, the cabinet announced its decision, stating that the protest was without merit and had demonstrated no prejudice in the selection process. With the protest officially denied, the KDE was cleared to finalize and implement the contract with the College Board.
Implementation and Support for Schools
The SAT will be administered to students through the College Board's SAT School Day program. This allows schools to conduct the test during a regular school day, removing potential barriers for students who might struggle to attend a weekend testing session. Schools will have a six-week window, beginning March 2, to schedule their test dates.
Priscilla Rodriguez, who heads the SAT program at the College Board, expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership.
"We are excited to partner with the Kentucky Department of Education and schools across the Commonwealth to deliver a state-of-the-art testing experience that will give educators actionable insights into student performance," Rodriguez said.
To support the transition, the College Board will provide resources for educators. These tools are designed to help teachers integrate free SAT practice materials from Khan Academy into their classroom instruction. This approach aims to align daily learning with the skills needed for the exam, helping to identify and address student skill gaps.
Acceptance by Kentucky Universities
The SAT is widely accepted for admissions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. In Kentucky, all major public institutions, including the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Eastern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky University, accept SAT scores as part of their admissions process. This ensures that students' scores from the state-funded exam will be valid for in-state college applications.