The Kentucky Department of Education has announced a significant change in its college admissions testing policy, replacing the ACT with the SAT as the state-mandated exam for all high school juniors. The transition is scheduled to take effect in the spring of 2026.
This decision marks a major shift in how the state prepares its students for post-secondary education. The new four-year contract with The College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, is expected to provide students with new digital tools and resources while generating substantial cost savings for the state.
Key Takeaways
- Kentucky will switch from the ACT to the SAT for its state-required college admissions test starting in 2026.
- All public high school juniors will take the digital SAT during the school day at no cost to them.
- Officials cite benefits including a shorter, adaptive test format and free personalized practice through Khan Academy.
- The Kentucky Department of Education estimates the new contract will save the state up to $350,000 annually.
A New Era for Standardized Testing in Kentucky
For many years, the ACT has been the standard college entrance exam administered in Kentucky's public high schools. However, beginning with the graduating class of 2027, students will instead take the SAT during their junior year. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) confirmed the change this week, outlining a new direction for statewide assessment.
The exam will be administered during a regular school day, ensuring that all juniors have the opportunity to take a college entrance test. This approach removes potential barriers related to weekend scheduling or transportation that students might face with non-school-day testing.
Details of the Transition
The transition to the SAT aligns with a national trend toward digital testing. The new SAT format is entirely digital, which officials believe offers a more modern and efficient experience for students. According to The College Board, the digital version is also shorter than its paper-based predecessor and the traditional ACT.
The test is adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on a student's performance. This design aims to provide a more accurate measurement of a student's skills in a shorter amount of time. Officials also highlighted that score reports will be available much faster, typically within days rather than weeks.
What is an Adaptive Test?
An adaptive test adjusts the difficulty of questions based on the test-taker's previous answers. If a student answers a question correctly, the next question may be slightly more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next question may be easier. This method helps to pinpoint a student's proficiency level more quickly and accurately than a fixed-form test.
Official Rationale for the Switch
Kentucky's Commissioner of Education, Robbie Fletcher, emphasized the student-focused benefits of the move. He pointed to the extensive free resources that will now be available to all 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 partnership with Khan Academy is a central component of this initiative. Students can link their College Board accounts with Khan Academy to receive personalized study plans based on their performance on practice tests. This integration is designed to make high-quality test preparation more equitable and accessible.
SAT Acceptance
The SAT is accepted for admission at all four-year colleges and universities in the United States. In Kentucky, major institutions like the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Eastern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky University all accept SAT scores, even in cases where test submission is optional.
Partnership with The College Board
The College Board, the non-profit organization behind the SAT, expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership. Priscilla Rodriguez, who heads the SAT program at The College Board, highlighted the collaborative aspect of the agreement.
"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.
She also noted that the SAT provides more than just a score. "Additionally, the SAT will provide students and their families with information and resources about college and career pathways to help them plan their futures," Rodriguez added. These resources are intended to help students explore potential majors, careers, and scholarship opportunities.
Financial and Logistical Impact
Beyond the educational benefits, the switch is also a strategic financial decision for Kentucky. The KDE projects that the new four-year contract will result in significant savings.
Estimated annual savings for the Commonwealth could reach up to $350,000. These funds can be reallocated to other educational priorities within the state. The contract streamlines the testing process under a single provider for the state-mandated exam, simplifying logistics for school districts across Kentucky.
Preparing Students for the Change
To help students, educators, and families prepare for the transition, the KDE and The College Board are emphasizing the availability of free resources. These include:
- Full-length practice tests available on the SAT website.
- Personalized study guides through the Khan Academy partnership.
- Informational materials for school counselors and teachers to guide students.
As the 2026 implementation date approaches, school districts will receive further guidance on administering the new digital exam. The focus remains on ensuring a smooth transition that ultimately benefits Kentucky's high school students as they prepare for their academic and professional futures.