Avalon Admissions Blog

Weekly admissions intel, success stories, and mindset tips curated by Avalon mentors.

Blogs

How Important are SAT, ACT, and Other Test Scores?
STANDARDIZED TESTING News and Articles

How Important are SAT, ACT, and Other Test Scores?

ACT, SAT and AP (as well as international tests including IB and CA) provide useful benchmarks to colleges anxious to fill their classrooms with highly capable students. Therefore, they continue to be valuable to colleges, and are strongly considered in the admissions process, especially by highly competitive colleges.

Neil Chyten
March 13, 2026
Structural and Scoring Changes to the ACT beginning in April, 2025
STANDARDIZED TESTING News and Articles

Structural and Scoring Changes to the ACT beginning in April, 2025

In April 2025, the ACT underwent a series of structural and score reporting changes. These changes are summarized below.

Neil Chyten
March 13, 2026
The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of the ACT
STANDARDIZED TESTING News and Articles

The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of the ACT

As college admissions became increasingly competitive, students began seeking “The One” test that might best set them apart in a crowded applicant pool.

Neil Chyten
January 20, 2026