The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has announced a significant change for high school students, replacing the ACT with the SAT as the state-funded college admissions exam. The new policy will take effect in the spring of 2026, impacting all public high school juniors across the commonwealth.
This decision follows the awarding of a four-year contract to the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT. The move is expected to introduce a new digital testing format and provide students with different preparation resources while potentially saving the state hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
Key Takeaways
- Kentucky will switch its state-funded college admissions test from the ACT to the SAT starting in spring 2026.
- The change affects all public high school juniors, who are required to take the state-provided exam.
- The new digital SAT is shorter than the ACT and does not include a dedicated science section.
- The state anticipates saving up to $350,000 per year with the new four-year contract.
- Students will gain free access to SAT preparation materials, including Khan Academy and the College Board's Bluebook platform.
A New Era for Standardized Testing in Kentucky
The Kentucky Department of Education has formalized a new direction for its statewide college readiness assessment. The department awarded a four-year contract to the College Board to make the SAT the official state-funded admissions exam for high school juniors.
The previous agreement with ACT, Inc. is set to expire on June 30, 2025, paving the way for the transition. This change marks the first time in many years that the SAT will be the primary test administered to all juniors in Kentucky's public school system.
Background on State-Funded Exams
Many states, including Kentucky, require all high school juniors to take a college admissions test. This policy aims to encourage more students to consider higher education by removing the initial cost barrier of the exam and providing a baseline assessment of college readiness across the state's student population.
Key Differences Students and Families Should Know
The shift from the ACT to the SAT introduces several notable changes in the testing experience. Understanding these differences is crucial for students, parents, and educators as they prepare for the new exam.
Test Structure and Content
One of the most significant structural changes is the absence of a dedicated science section on the SAT. While the ACT has a 35-minute science test, the SAT incorporates scientific concepts and data interpretation questions throughout its other sections.
The format of the reading and writing sections also differs:
- The SAT features shorter reading passages, each followed by a single question.
- The ACT uses longer passages, with each one accompanied by a set of 10 questions.
Additionally, the SAT is slightly shorter in total testing time compared to the ACT, a feature officials believe will be more accommodating for students.
Digital-First Testing Format
The SAT will be administered to Kentucky students in a fully digital format. This modern approach contrasts with the ACT, which is still primarily a paper-and-pencil test with limited digital availability. The digital SAT is also adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions can adjust based on a student's performance on earlier sections.
Did You Know?
The digital SAT is designed to be more secure and provide faster score reporting. Students often receive their results in days rather than weeks, which can be beneficial for college application deadlines.
Rationale Behind the Decision
State officials cited several benefits that influenced the move to the SAT. According to the KDE, the new contract offers both educational and financial advantages for the state and its students.
Enhanced Student Resources
A key factor in the decision was the suite of free test preparation tools available to students through the College Board. All Kentucky high schoolers will have access to personalized practice plans on Khan Academy at no cost. They can also use the College Board's Bluebook testing platform to take full-length digital practice exams.
“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,” said Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher in a news release.
Projected Financial Savings
The four-year contract with the College Board is also projected to be more cost-effective. The Kentucky Department of Education estimates that the switch could save the state up to $350,000 annually. These funds can be reallocated to other educational priorities within the state.
Impact on College Admissions
For students concerned about how this change will affect their college applications, officials have emphasized a smooth transition. The SAT is a nationally recognized exam accepted by virtually all colleges and universities in the United States.
Major institutions within the state, including the University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky University, all accept SAT scores for admission. The change in the state-funded test will not disadvantage students applying to in-state or out-of-state schools.
While the state will fund the SAT for all juniors, students will still have the option to take the ACT independently if they believe it better showcases their academic strengths. Many students nationwide take both exams to maximize their chances for admission and scholarships.
