Woodlands Test Prep congratulates all students who have achieved Semifinalist status in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. All of these students have worked hard to reach the top levels of the scholarship program. The Company especially congratulates the EIGHT students with whom it has worked with as they prepared for this scholarship competition including Charles Hadzic, Egan Hansen, Sarah Kath, Nicholas Langkamp, Jaxon Luddeke, Nawaporn Phasuk, Allison Wang, and Lily Woolf. Semifinalists will go on to compete for Finalist standing, and from there, become National Merit Scholars. Woodlands Test Prep wishes these students all the best as they continue on in the competition.
The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
Woodlands Test Prep hosts a “Goal 1600” class each summer to help National Merit hopeful students to prepare for their junior year PSAT.
Woodlands Test Prep, a Texas-based company, was founded in 2011 to help students and their families reach their full potential on college admissions tests. The Company has helped over 43 students over the last eight years achieve Semifinalist status. The Company believes that taking these tests is a skill that can be learned and honed. Woodlands Test Prep provides tutoring for academic subjects (all levels of math, science, history, and language arts) as well as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, SSAT, and ISEE in both a one-on-one setting and in a small class setting. The Company’s philosophy can be summed up as “We teach. You Relax.”
We’ve been busy making sure we have all the up-to-date information about the big changes coming to the ACT. We have another blog post if you want the highlights or recommendations for each grade of high schoolers. If you, however – intrepid soul – want all the nitty gritty, we can hook you up! Read on about the “Enhanced ACT.”
Format
Fewer questions, shorter passages, more time per question, less time per section will characterize the new English/Math/Reading (Core EMR) sections.
Current Section Time
Enhanced ACT Section Time
Current Section Questions
Enhanced ACT Questions
Current Time per Question
Enhanced ACT Time per Question
Increase in Time per Question
English
45 min
35 min
75 Q
50 Q (10 Exp.)
36 sec
42 sec
+ 17%
Math
60 min
50 min
60 Q
45 Q (4 Exp.)
60 sec
67 sec
+ 11%
Reading
35 min
40 min
40 Q
36 Q (9 Exp.)
53 sec
67 sec
+ 27%
Science
35 min
40 min
40 Q
40 Q (6 Exp.)
53 sec
60 sec
+ 15%
5th Section (Experi-mental Ques-tions)
20 min
NA
12 – 28 Q
NA
NA
NA
Writing
40 min
40 min
1 Q
1 Q
Totals
195 min
235 min w/ Writing
125 min
165 min w/ Science
205 min w/ Science & Writing
227 Q – 243 Q (excluding Writing)
131 Q
171 Q w/ Science
(all excluding Writing)
Science will be optional and will NOT be included in the composite calculation beginning as soon as a student takes a test in the “Core EMR/Enhanced ACT” format (see timing below).
PREVIOUS composites WILL NOT be recalculated.
Superscores AFTER an Enhanced ACT/Core EMR test attempted only include EMR data.
One passage in English (10 questions), one passage in Reading (9 questions), one passage in Science (6 questions), and 4 questions in Math will be experimental. The former 5th section will no longer exist. (And the crowd goes wild!)
Paper will continue to be offered for the foreseeable future. No guarantees forever though.
The Enhanced ACT will continue to be linear; it will NOT be adaptive in any way. Both digital and paper will be the same test, just different formats.
English will have question stems for ALL questions, leveling the playing field for many accommodation types.
English will now have an argumentative essay rather than the current all non-fiction feast.
Math will only have 4 answers choices instead of the current 5 answer choices.
Math will have proportionally fewer higher level questions and lower the overall word count in questions.
Reading will have a more diverse set of passages.
Science will now always include one passage addressing engineering and design topics.
Timing and Cost
April 2025 – First offering of the Enhanced ACT for national test dates DIGITAL format only.
September 2025 – All national test dates, PAPER & DIGITAL, will be in the Enhanced ACT format.
Spring 2026 – State, District, and School Day testing will finally be in the Enhanced ACT format. If schools require both Science and Writing, they will be able to opt for 2-day testing for everyone. NOTE: Composites for all testing will start to be calculated based only on EMR starting in September 2025 even though the test’s format won’t change until Spring 2026.
Expected pricing for Enhanced ACT will be less than current four section ACT.
What do colleges think?
ACT has been working with colleges (including test blind colleges) to understand how they use composites in their processes.
ACT’s research shows that the EMR-only composites closely track overall composites, supporting their move to make Science optional.
Practice material updates?
ACT’s first plan is to issue an addendum to the “Preparing for the ACT Guide” to highlight differences between the current and Enhanced ACT; however, the is timeline unclear.
Keep checking back – we’ll let you know as soon as we know!
If you’d like to see how these changes might or might not mean anything for you, please let us know. We love helping families develop a testing plan. Always at no charge.
Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water, now that the Digital PSAT and SAT are old news, here comes ACT with changes of its own!
NOTE: THESE CHANGES WILL NOT AFFECT RISING SENIORS AT ALL! See below for recommendations for all classes.
Our hot take:
Students will appreciate – strike that – love that the ACT is shorter and has more time per question.
In the near term, selective colleges will require Science. Plan to still take Science.
So much uncertainty! See below for our top questions, but we’re buckling up for a bumpy ride with ACT starting in spring 2025.
Here’s the short summary on what’s changing and when.
What’s Changing?
Significantly more time per question.
English and Math questions get 12% and 17% more time, respectively.
Reading and Science questions get 28% and 27% more time, respectively.
Shorter passages —> less text to process.
Science is optional.
Shorter overall timing for the test, especially if the student opts out of the Science section —> now shorter than the Digital SAT timing!
Experimental questions (formerly Section 5) will now be part of the regular sections: reduces overall testing time AND improves data.
Composite scores will now be calculated ONLY on the English, Math, and Reading scores.
What’s NOT Changing?
Scoring will remain the same: each section ranges from 1 – 36 and the composite is an average of those sections.
For now, students can still choose between paper and digital formats.
Writing is still optional.
Students will still NOT be able to use their own device for digital testing.
When is this happening?
The changes above will be introduced first in April 2025 in the digital format ONLY.
The changes will be incorporated into PAPER beginning in September 2025.
The changes will be incorporated into School Day testing in “Spring 2026.”
Our current recommendations by class year:
Seniors (Class of 2025) – No impact here. You can continue to test in the current format throughout your senior year.
Juniors (Class of 2026)
Still consider the ACT by taking a practice test of both SAT and ACT. Evaluate the impact of uncertainty of being able to re-test at the beginning of your senior year and the availability of practice materials for that.
Plan to take Science.
Do NOT take the digital version of the ACT. Until or unless we know a lot more, the formatting of the digital ACT works against most students.
Sophomores (Class of 2027)
Wait and see. We will learn a lot between now and when you need to start making choices on which test to take.
Questions. We have questions!
Practice materials! Given what seems to be a required increase in individual question difficulty to maintain any kind of scoring parity, will any old practice materials be usable? And more, when will ACT release new practice materials so we can all see what’s up?
If you’d like to see how these changes might or might not mean anything for you, please let us know. We love helping families develop a testing plan. Always at no charge.
After a brief hiatus during the pandemic, many colleges are reinstating standardized test requirements for admissions, and the reason lies in a surprising twist: equity.
Colleges are discovering and reporting that standardized tests actually help level the playing field among students. Research suggests that test scores are a more reliable predictor of college success than high school grades, which have been subject to inflation and vary widely in rigor. By reinstating test requirements, colleges aim to identify talented students from all backgrounds who might otherwise be overlooked.
For instance, UT Austin and MIT both recently reported that they have found that standardized tests help them better predict student success and ensure that students are placed in majors that fit their strengths. Similarly, Harvard and Dartmouth have cited research showing that test scores can highlight the potential of students from under-resourced schools, providing a clearer picture of their academic abilities.
While some institutions never wavered in their requirement for standardized testing, notably University of Florida, a slew of colleges and universities have rejoined the test-required ranks in the past two years:
University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
Harvard University
Stanford University
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Brown University
Yale University
Dartmouth College
Purdue University
Georgetown University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Johns Hopkins University (announced 8/20/24)
Carnegie Mellon University (announced 8/29/24)
Test optional will remain the policy at some colleges and universities, but as you or your student approach your sophomore and junior years in high school, it makes sense to consider how you want to prepare for either the SAT or ACT. If you’d like help thinking through a plan that makes the most of your strengths and is suited to your college admissions’ goals and schedule, Woodlands Test Prep would be delighted to help!
Susan Powers, our Founder, recently served on an industry expert panel about the Digital SAT at the National Test Prep Association’s Winter Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 13th. The panel included Mike Bergin – Chair of the Board of the National Test Prep Association, co-host of the popular college admissions podcast Test and the Rest, and President and Owner of Chariot Learning based in Rochester, New York; Lori Tofexis – SAT curriculum expert and Owner of Circle Test Prep based in Hollywood, Florida; and Brenna O’Neill (moderator) – President of Test Innovators, a leader in digital test preparation curriculum.
Below are a few of the important takeaways from the industry panel.
Desmos is changing the way students will approach the math modules. It is the biggest change in decades.
2. But the biggest changes on the Digital SAT lie in the verbal modules. Check out how the verbal modules are structured and what that means for how you need to allocate your time!
Here at Woodlands Test Prep, we’ve been preparing for the Digital SAT for the last year: analyzing every aspect, building a world-class curriculum, and finding the best ways for students to approach it. We’re here to share what we’ve learned with you!
The College Board announced that the SAT will be going digital in March 2024, and the PSAT will be going digital in October 2023. As if *that* isn’t big enough news, they are also changing the format substantively to be more student-friendly.
Update: The first widely available practice tests are available! Click here to download the app and check out the new format!
So What’s Changing?
Structure:
Same scoring format, still on 1600 scale
Shorter overall test time – approximately 2 hours instead of 3.25 hours
Adaptive scoring – performance on the first section of topic affects the difficulty of the second section
Much more time per question
No more long reading passages
Built in Desmos graphing calculator for ALL math questions
Logistics:
Moving to an all-digital format – bring your own device or use one of the College Board’s
Students will still test at a testing center
Students will install the testing app prior to testing day
Digital PSAT will be much the same as the Digital SAT in structure
Much faster score receipt – in days rather than weeks
Accommodations will be handled in the digital environment
National test dates will remain unchanged; many more choices for School Day dates
Overall, the changes are good for students!
When Is All This Happening?
First up, the PSAT will be Digital Adaptive in 2023 – this coming fall! Then, the regular SAT will switch completely to the Digital Adaptive format in March 2024. The Class of 2025 – this year’s sophomores – have several choices to make.
What Does That Mean For My High School Student?
If you are a junior this year (Class of 2024), you won’t see any changes. Just keep on doing your thing!
If you are a sophomore this year (Class of 2025), this change affects you significantly. See the table below for options, and contact us to schedule a free consultation to help you navigate these changes.
Note: If you are aiming for National Merit in 2023, prepping will be more complicated due to the switch. We are ready to help you navigate the new format with confidence!
If you are a freshman this year (Class of 2026) or younger, this will all be old news by the time you get there. You’ll be able to choose between paper ACT and Digital Adaptive SAT.
As always, Woodlands Test Prep is on top of the change to the Digital Adaptive PSAT and SAT. We look forward to helping with all your questions!
The National Merit Scholarship Program is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in cooperation with the College Board to recognize high achieving high school seniors. Entry into the competition is based on junior-year (only) PSAT/NMSQT scores. The NMSC awards approximately $50 million in scholarships each year, and some colleges provide additional scholarships to recognized students, multiplying the net impact of National Merit many times. For example, Texas A&M offers over $40,000 per student in scholarships, and UT Dallas offers scholarships that cover all tuition, fees, and up to $50,000 of other expenses!
To enter, you must take the PSAT/NMSQT as a high school junior and either attend high school in the United States or U.S. Territories or be a U.S. student studying abroad. Entry into the program is based on your Selection Index; you can find your selection index on your PSAT score report. To calculate it, take the sum of your reading + writing + math section scores (two-digit numbers) and multiply by two.
Note to Current Sophomores on the New Digital Adaptive PSAT
Current sophomores (class of 2025) will be taking their PSAT on paper in the fall. However, in the Fall of 2023, the new Digital Adaptive PSAT only will be offered, meaning that the usual “warm up” for junior year won’t be the same for this year’s sophomores. College Board has indicated that they will release four SAT practice tests in mid-October in the new testing platform. One has already been released! In the meantime, focus on core skills (the skills tested on the digital PSAT will remain the same as those on the current paper test), and then prep for the digital PSAT during summer 2023.
The Road to Becoming a National Merit Scholar
If you’re interested in becoming a National Merit Scholar, let’s look at the timeline on how to make this dream a reality. Also check out our upcoming National Merit Scholar Seminar!
October. (Junior Year)
The road officially begins your junior year in October, when millions of students take their PSAT and are entered into the National Merit Scholarship Program.
April (Junior Year)
NMSC will ask high school principals to identify any errors or changes in the reported eligibility of students whose scores will qualify them for recognition in the fall of 2023. At this point, the Commended cutoff score becomes widely, although unofficially, known.
September (Senior Year)
Semifinalists are recognized in early September. Semifinalists are allocated proportionally by state, i.e. the more graduating students a state has, the more Semifinalists that state will have. Therefore, some states have higher cutoffs for their scores than others. Traditionally, students in Texas need to have a Selection Index score between 218 and 221. The Texas Semifinalist cutoff for the class of 2023 is 219. Semifinalists advance in the competition. Commended students are recognized in late September. While Commended students don’t advance in the competition, it looks great on college applications and some colleges even award scholarships based on Commended status. The cutoff for the class of 2023 is 207.
October (Senior Year)
National Merit Semifinalists must complete an application, which includes submitting an essay and a recommendation from your school. The application also allows you to choose your “first choice” school, which is an important step: whatever school you choose is the only school you can receive scholarships from. You can always change your choice later. Semifinalists must also have a “confirming score:” an SAT or ACT score that confirms your PSAT performance. This score must be completed by December.
February (Senior Year)
Finalists are notified. Approximately 95% of Semi-Finalists are named National Merit Finalists.
March (Senior Year)
Scholarships based on the school you listed as “first choice” on your application begin to be awarded. Many schools offer a National Merit scholarship of $500-$2500 per year.
So What Should I Do?
Current Juniors
The time for test prep begins during the summer between your sophomore and junior year. If you think you have what it takes to be a National Merit Scholar, sign up for our Goal 1600 class during the summer or one-on-one tutoring. All our classes provide individualized attention, tailored assignments, and focused feedback in a small group setting. They are both fun and effective, helping students achieve their testing goals. Our Goal 1600 class is specifically designed for students aiming for National Merit Semifinalist scores. This class goes quickly through the regular content and focuses then on strategy and practice for the hard questions. In order to help ensure students are in a class that best suits them, students must meet a minimum SAT score (or equivalent PSAT score) of 1300 to be admitted to the class. To check out our current classes, click here.
If you would prefer to work one-on-one with one of our expert tutors, we offer private tutoring in your home that covers all the material and meets students where they are. To sign up for one-on-one tutoring, click here.
Current Sophomores and Younger
Focus on your core skills of reading comprehension, grammar and rhetorical techniques, and math competence. Use the results from the PSAT as a guide to what areas need attention. One specific suggestion is to dramatically increase the amount of challenging non-fiction reading. The vast majority of the test (even the math section!) is based on non-fiction reading and most students don’t get enough opportunities. We’ve developed a great list of free, online resources to work on non-fiction reading comprehension.
Our Difference
Woodlands Test Prep has helped 25 students become National Merit Semifinalists in the last 5 years. We have specialized in the SAT, PSAT, and ACT for 11 years. We are the expertson these tests. Every one of our tutors has the heart of a teacher and loves what they do. Check out our website at www.woodlandstestprep.com to find out more information about our tutoring services and classes, or give us a call at 713-205-1807 to get a free consultation today.
Woodlands Test Prep founder, Susan Powers, was recently interviewed by Mathchops. Mathchops is an online math software that allows students to practice in a manner specifically designed to increase their score. Check out the whole interview for insights into the Woodlands Test Prep method as well as how we incorporate Mathchops into our curriculum.
Need to compare an ACT score? We can help you take one at home any time for free!
Click here for all the scoop that you need for the Digital SAT!
Which one should I take?
It’s junior year; the time has come.
Time to start considering the college admissions process. A big part of that process is taking the SAT or ACT to apply to college. So the questions loom:
Understanding the answers to these questions is your first strategic decision in your college admissions process. Here are a few important points to consider:
All colleges accept both tests. This is great. Having the freedom to submit either test to your college of choice allows you to pick the test that works best for you.
You should prep only for the test that suits you best. Most students do better on one test or the other. You can figure out which one is better for you by taking a practice and then comparing it to your PSAT or SAT results. Use our handy comparison tables (below) to compare your results.
Each test has a different feel. The ACT is on paper, takes longer, and is more straightforward, but much more quickly paced. The Digital SAT is on a computer, gives significantly more time per question but takes much less time overall, but it’s wordier and uses more complex vocabulary. The ACT tests all types of math; whereas the SAT focuses primarily on Algebra. The SAT gives all students access to Desmos – a built-in graphing calculator; it’s a game-changer! The ACT includes a Science Reasoning section which tests data analysis skills more thoroughly than those skills are tested on the SAT. Pick the test that aligns best with your personal style and gives you the highest score.
Use these tips when beginning to formulate your testing plan. Creating a testing strategy helps to maximize your results and remove stress from the process. Woodlands Test Prep can help! Call us at 713.205.1807 today for a free 30-minute consultation on your test prep strategy.
And click herefor our in-depth discussion of PSAT scores and National Merit considerations.
