Does Your State Require the SAT or ACT to Get Your Diploma?
Did you know that some states require a standardized test such as the SAT or the ACT in order to graduate from high school? Or that others simply provide the exams for free without requiring students to take them?
Make sure you double check your state requirements to avoid studying and taking both tests! See below for our map and list of testing requirements by state.
We also recommend that students check with their school’s guidance counselors. Within states, schools’ specific testing policies can vary from district to district.
States where the SAT is a requirement
States where the ACT is a requirement
- Alabama
- Hawaii
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Wisconsin
- Kentucky
- Louisiana-ACT Workeys or ACT
- Mississippi-Students must pass MAAP end-of-course exams or earn score benchmarks on the ACT
- Utah–Students take Utah Aspire Plus, a custom exam that incorporates ACT Aspire material, but isn’t actually the ACT
- Wyoming
- North Dakota-ACT work keys or ACT
States where a test is not required
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Texas
- Maryland
- Pennsylvania
- Iowa
- California
- Washington
- Oregon
- Missouri
- Alaska
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- Georgia
- Virginia
- New York
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- South Dakota
- Washington D.C.
- Maine
States where either is required
- Ohio — SAT or ACT required; district determines which test
- Oklahoma — SAT or ACT required; district determines which test
- South Carolina — SAT or ACT required
- Tennessee — SAT or ACT required (districts may provide either SAT or ACT or allow students to choose)
- Idaho– SAT or ACT Required
Even though it may be required to take a specific standardized test in your state, it is still a good idea to prepare for the test that is the best fit for you. If your state requires the ACT but you perform better on the SAT, we recommend you take that test as well.
It is important to stay on top of this information as early as possible so you are not overwhelmed with the preparations for the test. Our FREE College Tool Kit includes a month by month junior year roadmap to help you navigate through junior year.
