The ACT

The latest:

• The ACT does not currently require masks unless required by local laws. However, the ACT recommends masks. Learn more on the ACT website about what to bring on test day.
• Registration is now open for all test dates through July 2023. Sign into my.act.org to register.
• The next ACT is on February 11. Standby registration is only open through February 3. The following ACT is on April 15, with regular registration available through March 10. Find more information and register here.
• Test scores generally begin to be posted 10 days after a test date. You can find more information about score release here. Scores for the December ACT started to post on December 20, and scores will continue to come out on a rolling basis through February 3. Scores from the February 11 ACT will be available beginning February 28.
• Some schools and districts are now offering an online ACT option for school day testing.

Tips to get ACT-ready:

• Find your comfort level with wearing a mask to test (or not). If you plan to wear a mask for test day, or if it’s required in your area, plan to practice wearing a mask to simulate the experience. We strongly recommend doing homework and practice tests wearing the mask you plan to wear on test day.
• Test sites can fill quickly, so we suggest that students sign up well in advance for the tests dates they plan to take.
• Students who will take an online version of the ACT at school can contact their director for more information about online testing and to practice with digital ACT practice tests.

The SAT

The latest:

• Masks are now optional for SAT administrations, but requirements are based on the local laws and policies. Find more about health and safety requirements from the College Board here.
• The next SAT is on March 11. Regular registration is open through February 10, 2023. The following SAT is on May 6.
• Registration for all 2022-2023 school year tests is now open. Test centers can fill quickly, so please register soon if you plan to take a winter SAT.
• You can find score release dates for the SAT here. Scores for the December 3 SAT have now been released.
• The optional essay is no longer offered. You can find more information about that update in our blog post here.
• On January 25, 2022, the College Board announced a digital SAT that will be released beginning in March 2023 (international) and March 2024 (U.S.). For more information, check out our digital SAT hub.

Tips to get SAT-ready:

• Find your comfort level with wearing a mask to test (or not). If you plan to wear a mask for test day, or if it’s required in your area, plan to practice wearing a mask to simulate the experience. We strongly recommend doing homework and practice tests wearing the mask you plan to wear on test day.
• We will share more information about the upcoming digital SAT as we learn more from the College Board.
• While students currently prepping for the SAT will take the same test form, students in the Class of 2025 and younger will need to prepare for a digital exam version. Look out for more information about preparing for the digital form in the coming months!

Tips for the Class of 2025:

The digital SAT will be available in the spring of the Class of 2025’s junior year. By the time they begin test prep (in spring of this year, summer between sophomore and junior years, or fall of junior year), we will have more information about the exam.

Here are possible test prep paths:

• Focus on the ACT
• Take the paper SAT & plan to finish testing by December of junior year
• Consider waiting to take the digital SAT at the end of junior year as an add-on to previous ACT or paper SAT testing.

AP Exams

The latest:

• The College Board recently announced that 7 AP exams will be offered as in-school digital exams beginning in May 2023. The exams are AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP European History, AP Seminar, AP US History, and AP World History.
• The exams will be full-length. Schools will be able to choose to offer paper tests, digital tests, or both.
• Some accommodations, including extended time, will be available in the testing app.
• Students will use a digital testing app on a Chromebook, a Windows or Mac laptop or desktop, or an iPad.

Tips to get AP-ready:

• Students taking AP courses should begin to hear more information about the format of their exam (digital or paper).
• Private Prep will begin offering a selection of AP practice tests in late February. To learn more about the subjects offered and why we suggest a diagnostic exam, check out our blog.
• Private Prep will also be offering a variety of AP services, including comprehensive virtual classes, customized study groups, and one-on-one private tutoring. Registration for classes opens on February 6. See the full list of classes that will be offered.
• We expect to learn much more about the new exam format in the coming months. Check back for updates!