
The 2023 Testing Landscape
Your up-to-date testing playbook
Last updated: 5/16/2023
The ACT
The latest:
- Registration is now open for all test dates through July 2023. Sign into my.act.org to register.
- The next ACT is on April 15. Registration has now closed. The following ACT is on June 10, with regular registration available through May 5. 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 from the February 11 ACT began to roll out on February 28, and scores for the April 15 ACT are expected beginning April 25.
- Some schools and districts are now offering an online ACT option for school day testing.
- 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.
Tips to get ACT-ready:
- 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.
- 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.
The SAT
The latest:
- The next SAT is on June 3, with regular registration open through May 4.
- Registration for all 2023 tests is now open. Test centers can fill quickly, so please register soon if you plan to take an upcoming SAT.
- You can find score release dates for the SAT here, including tests taken at school. Scores for the March 11 SAT began to be released on March 24. Scores for the May 6 SAT will be available beginning May 19.
- 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.
- 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.
Tips to get SAT-ready:
- 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!
- 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.
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:
- Seven AP exams will be offered as in-school digital-optional 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.
- Schools have chosen whether to offer digital exams; some schools will give students themselves the choice.
- 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 should by now have heard in their AP courses about the format of their exam (digital or paper). Learn more about the digital AP exams on our blog.
- Private Prep is now offering a selection of AP practice tests. To learn more about the subjects offered and why we suggest a diagnostic exam, check out our blog.
Need help? Have Questions?
Check back here frequently for real-time updates as the ever-shifting testing landscape does what it does! We are here to support you.