Starting in 2025, Illinois could see a significant shift in standardized testing for public high school students: the state may switch from the SAT^® to the ACT^®. This transition, spearheaded by the Illinois State Board of Education, carries significant implications for educators and students.

As of now, Illinois has an existing contract with the College Board^®, which is responsible for administering the SAT to 11th graders and the PSAT to 9th and 10th graders. This contract is set to expire on June 30, 2024. The Illinois State Board of Education has begun the process to replace it by awarding a 3-year, $53 million contract to ACT, Inc. However, they have not stated when that contract will be formally approved. If the transition proceeds, the ACT would replace the SAT as the federally mandated state test in Illinois.

All public high school students in Illinois are required to take accountability assessments like the ACT or SAT to obtain their high school diploma. For the last 15 years, that accountability assessment in Illinois has been the ACT. It wasn’t until 2016 that they switched to the SAT. The state board has continuously renewed the College Board's contract, despite protests from ACT, Inc. in 2016 and 2018.

If the new 2025 contract with ACT, Inc. goes through, it would include assessments for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders and align with Illinois Learning Standards in English and math. However, the process of switching to the ACT may face challenges, as certain parties could potentially protest the bid, as seen in past contract awards.

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Answering Your Questions About the New Illinois ACT

The potential switch from the SAT to the ACT in Illinois raises numerous considerations and implications for educators and students. Let’s take a closer look at some questions we’ve been getting about this transition to the Illinois ACT.  

Is the SAT Required in Illinois?

Currently, the SAT is required in Illinois. However, that could change as soon as June 30, 2024, when the contract with the College Board expires. The state is considering switching to the ACT in 2025 and has begun the process of awarding ACT, Inc. a three-year, $53 million contract. With the ACT potentially becoming the state's standardized test, schools may need to adjust their curriculum and resources to accommodate this change.

Will Students Take the ACT or SAT in Illinois?

If the new contract with ACT, Inc. goes through, Illinois students would begin taking the ACT rather than the SAT. However, students would still have the option to take the SAT at their own expense if the college or university they’re applying to requires it.

Will Chicago Schools Switch to the ACT?

In contrast to the state of Illinois, the Chicago Board of Education recently renewed its contract with the College Board in April 2023. That means that Chicago public schools would continue administering the PSAT and SAT until at least 2026. This divergence in contracts between Chicago and Illinois is causing some confusion, as it’s unclear whether Chicago students will be taking the SAT, ACT, or both.  

Should Schools Prepare for the Illinois SAT or the Illinois ACT?

Illinois schools, especially those in Chicago, may consider doubling up on preparation for both the ACT and SAT to ensure students are adequately equipped for their college entrance exams. This preparation can significantly impact college admissions, as standardized test scores remain a crucial component in the application process. While some schools have done away with college entrance exams, many top universities still require the SAT or ACT in their admission requirements.

Will There Be More Changes in the Future?

Considering the ever-evolving world of standardized testing and college admissions, it's highly likely that things will continue to change. Currently, the SAT has gone fully digital and the ACT is beginning to offer online testing options.

The SAT has also switched to an adaptive testing model, where questions adjust based on the student’s performance on previous questions. Because of this, many Illinois educators argue that the SAT has been keeping up with the changing world of education, while the ACT has lagged behind. They argue that the ACT has not changed in years and doesn’t align with Illinois Learning Standards anymore. So, will things change again in the future? Probably, but it remains to be seen what direction things will take.

How Horizon Education Can Help Schools and Districts Prepare for Either the SAT or ACT

Horizon Education is well-positioned for the transition to the Illinois ACT, offering both SAT and ACT readiness courses and benchmark assessments. Existing Illinois customers won’t need to completely overhaul or rewrite their SAT curriculum. They’ll simply need to switch from Horizon’s SAT solution to our ACT solution. Or if they’d like to double up on both SAT and ACT prep, we offer that as well.

Our schools and districts will be able to seamlessly transition to ACT without the need to implement new tools, ensuring continuity in their college test preparation. So whether you’re in Chicago preparing for the SAT or in Springfield, Rockford, or any other location in Illinois preparing for the ACT, Horizon has the support you need to master your accountability assessments and college entrance exams.

No matter what happens with Illinois’s standardized testing, Horizon is here to help. Request a demo today!