Standardized testing has changed dramatically in the past few years. The SAT has gone digital and adaptive. The ACT is evolving. Colleges are split on testing policies. Families are left wondering: When should we start? Does this still matter? And is it worth the investment?

To help unpack it all, Director of College Counseling Kelsey Berry sat down with Ben Neely, Chief Academic Innovation Officer at Revolution Prep. With more than 20 years of experience in test preparation and admissions strategy—and as a parent currently navigating the process himself—Ben brings both expertise and perspective.

When should students start standardized testing?

One of the most common mistakes families make is trying to “get testing out of the way” too early. But that approach often backfires. Students are still developing both academically and neurologically at 16 and 17. Six months of brain development at that age can meaningfully impact performance on a challenging timed exam.

Even for early application rounds, starting in the spring of junior year gives students plenty of time. I always remind families: my own son, now a senior, took his first SAT in the spring of junior year. If that timeline works for me, it should work for most students.

That said, flexibility matters. There are cases—advanced math students, recruited athletes, unique scheduling needs—where starting earlier can make sense. But “just get it done” is rarely a good reason.

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What should families know about the digital SAT?

Three major things:

1. It’s Shorter, But Not Easier

The test is about 30% shorter. Reading passages are now bite-sized instead of long, multi-question blocks. That improves student experience, but don’t mistake shorter for easier. The exam remains rigorous.

2. Adaptive Testing Is Legitimate

Some families worry that adaptive testing (where question difficulty adjusts based on performance) is unfair. It’s not. The science behind adaptive testing goes back to the 1970s. It’s well studied and widely used. It’s simply a more efficient way to measure ability.

3. Desmos Is a Powerful Tool

The SAT includes a built-in Desmos calculator. Students who master it gain a real advantage. In fact, Desmos can help with a large portion of the math section. Learning to use it fluently is one of the highest-leverage moves students can make.

There’s been a lot of news about the ACT. What’s changing?

The biggest headline is that the ACT has shortened the test. However:

• It continues to offer paper and digital versions.
• It is not adaptive (because of the paper option).
• The science section is technically becoming optional—but students should still take it for now.

Many colleges haven’t clarified how they’ll treat the optional science section. Until policies are clearer, students are safest by including it.

Should students choose paper or digital this year? For current juniors testing this summer, stick with paper. It’s more stable and less disruptive. For younger students testing later, digital may become more appealing as the ACT improves its platform.

We sometimes see students invest heavily in prep with little score movement. Why?

In over 90% of cases, the answer is simple: students aren’t taking full-length practice tests under real conditions. Students break tests into pieces. They skip timed simulations. They avoid the least pleasant part of preparation. That’s like training for a marathon by running sprints but never attempting a long run.

Full-length practice tests are essential. They build stamina, reveal patterns, and provide honest data.

Other affecting factors:

• Incomplete homework or skill-building
• Test anxiety left unaddressed
• Lack of consistent effort

And yes—occasionally, even when everything is done correctly, scores plateau. Test prep is not a vending machine. It’s human learning.

On the flip side, what drives major improvements?

Alignment. Students who see how testing connects to their personal goals—college aspirations, specific programs, future paths—tend to improve the most.

When prep feels purposeful, students commit to the uncomfortable work: early mornings, full-length exams, repeated review. The opposite is also true. Students dragged into prep without buy-in rarely see meaningful gains.

In today’s test-optional world, when might a student reasonably opt out?

Increasingly, this is a valid path. If a student has a realistic baseline score, their target colleges are test-optional or test-free, or the gap between their current score and competitive ranges is large.

If it doesn’t make sense to invest heavily in testing, students can redirect that energy into stronger essays, school visits, deepening extracurriculars, and academic performance. However, I still recommend taking at least one official test before making the final call.

Athletic recruiting adds nuance. Sometimes testing helps get a coach’s attention, and sometimes it’s unnecessary. That world is highly specific and individualized.

Let's Nerd Out: Testing Definitions

Speededness

Speededness refers to how much a test relies on time pressure to differentiate students. The ACT is highly speeded. The SAT is less so, but it uses more higher-order thinking skills. 

Students who process quickly may prefer the ACT. Students who prefer deeper reasoning with slightly more time may prefer the SAT.

Validity

When the ACT shortened its test, experts wondered whether reducing the number of questions would hurt validity (consistency of results). Field testing shows only a minimal drop that is still well within acceptable standards.

Item Response Theory (IRT)

The SAT’s adaptive model uses IRT. Instead of simply counting right answers, it evaluates question difficulty, estimated ability level, and the likelihood of guessing.

If a student who struggles suddenly gets several very difficult questions correct, the system adjusts for possible guessing. Conversely, a high-performing student who misses an easy question is penalized less harshly.

It’s a more sophisticated way of measuring ability.

What About Accommodations?

The SAT and ACT have different processes. The SAT allows accommodation approval before registering, and the ACT requires registration first. Both processes are rigorous. 

Accommodations are not loopholes; they require documentation and a history of need.

Is Test Prep Worth It Beyond College Admissions?

Yes—if approached in balance. Modern SAT and ACT questions are far more academic and less “tricky” than they were 20 years ago. Improving scores now requires real growth in mathematical reasoning, critical reading, and command of written English.

Those skills transfer directly to college coursework. Beyond academics, timed testing builds comfort under pressure. That skill applies to job interviews, athletic performance, public speaking, and even first dates.

High-stakes moments don’t disappear after high school. Learning to manage them early is valuable.

Final Thoughts: Stretch, Don’t Break

Standardized testing shouldn’t be a pressure cooker. But it can be a meaningful stretch. As Ben shared—now speaking as a parent himself—there isn’t one perfect path. But students’ paths tend to work out the way they should.

And that may be the most reassuring takeaway of all.

Standardized testing has changed dramatically in the past few years. The SAT has gone digital and adaptive. The ACT is evolving. Colleges are split on testing policies. Families are left wondering: When should we start? Does this still matter? And is it worth the investment?

About the Author

Kelsey Berry
Director of College Counseling

Kelsey joined the Holderness community in 2011 as a history teacher and coach. After a brief stint away, she returned in 2012. She served as the History Department Chair, then worked for five years as the Director of Teaching and Learning. In 2022, she started leading the College Counseling Office.

She lives in the Pichette dorm with her two small children, her husband, Mike Carrigan, Dean of Faculty and physics teacher.