By Dr. Christine Powell, ADHD Coach/Executive Functioning Expert
The 2025 Testing Landscape
Frequently Asked Questions for Neurodivergent Families
Is the new digital ACT better for students with ADHD? Yes. The new ACT format is shorter (2 hours vs. 3 hours) and offers more time per question. This reduces cognitive fatigue and benefits students with slow processing speed or attention deficits.
Do colleges require SAT/ACT scores for scholarships in 2025? Often, yes. Even at “test-optional” universities, state-funded merit scholarships (like those in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina) often require a minimum standardized test score to release funds.
How do I get extra time on the SAT or ACT? You must apply for accommodations directly through the College Board (for SAT) or ACT organization. School IEPs and 504 plans do not automatically transfer. The process typically takes 7 weeks.
If you have a high schooler with college aspirations, you are probably feeling a bit of whiplash right now.
First, standardized tests were the gatekeepers of admission. Then, almost overnight, they weren’t. Now? They are back…sort of. But the SAT and ACT of 2025 look very different from the tests we took. Between the new digital formats and shifting content, the landscape feels unfamiliar and, frankly, a little intimidating.
For students with ADHD or executive function challenges, these shifts can feel seismic. But uncertainty doesn’t have to mean anxiety. Here is a clear breakdown of what is happening, why it matters, and how to create a strategy for your teen.
Part 1: Why Scores Matter Again (Even When They Say They Don’t)
You have likely heard that many colleges are still “test-optional.” While that is true, the pendulum is swinging back. It is critical to look past the headlines and understand the “fine print” of admissions today.
The “Soft Return” to Requirements
Several highly selective schools — including Stanford University, Harvard, University of Miami, Brown University, MIT, and Caltech, have reinstated testing requirements. They found that scores actually help them identify high-potential students from diverse backgrounds. But it isn’t just the Ivy League. Public university systems in states like Augusta University, Purdue University and Georgia Tech have also reinstated test requirements for all applicants.
This is the detail most families miss. While a university might be test-optional for admission, standardized test scores are frequently the gatekeeper for financial awards.
At many large public universities, merit scholarships are determined by an automatic grid: GPA + Test Score = $. If you don’t submit a score, you often leave money on the table.
Even at schools that remain test-optional, the data tells a different story. We are seeing a trend where a significant majority of enrolled students did submit scores. A solid ACT or SAT score remains one of the best ways to offset a GPA that might have been a little uneven due to executive function struggles in 9th or 10th grade.
Part 2: The New ACT & The Digital Shift
Now that we know scores still matter, what do the tests actually look like?
In response to the SAT going fully digital in 2024, the ACT recently launched a major update. If your student struggles with attention fatigue or processing speed, these changes are arguably a breath of fresh air.
Shorter Duration: The new ACT has dropped from a three-hour marathon to just over two hours.
Better Pacing: They have reduced the number of questions, giving students more time per question. This is a massive win for students who know the material but usually run out of time.
Flexibility: The Science section — often a source of panic — is now optional, and students can choose between digital or paper formats.
The “But”: Students with ADHD often thrive on routine. Because this format is new, we don’t have the decades of practice tests we used to rely on. The “bank” of prep material is smaller, which can create some anxiety about the unknown.
Become a member
Part 3: Executive Function Strategies
The ACT and SAT aren’t just measuring math or grammar. They are measuring your child’s ability to plan, sustain focus, and manage time. If your teen has weak executive function, do not ask them to prep alone with a book.
I often see parents buy a thick prep book and tell their teen to “study for an hour.” For a student with ADHD, the lack of structure makes this impossible. They end up staring at the page, reading passively, and feeling bad about themselves.
Instead, externalize the structure:
See the Time: Time blindness is real. Use analog clocks during prep so they can physically see time passing, rather than relying on abstract digital numbers.
Micro-Goals: Don’t set a goal to “study.” Set a goal to “complete 10 math problems in 15 minutes.”
Part 4: Accommodations & The “Undiagnosed” Student
If your student has an IEP or 504 plan at school, accommodations do not transfer automatically. You must apply separately to the College Board (SAT) or ACT.
Do not wait until senior year. The approval process can take seven weeks or longer. Securing 50% extra time, small group testing, or multi-day testing can be the difference between a score that reflects their ability and one that reflects their disability.
The “Undiagnosed” Wall
I often see bright students hit a “wall” in 11th grade. They know the content but can’t finish sections, or they make careless errors. This is often the first sign of undiagnosed inattentive ADHD or slow processing speed. If this sounds like your teen, seek a private evaluation immediately. A formal diagnosis helps your student understand their own brain mechanics before they head off to college.
Part 5: The 4-Year Roadmap
Given the turbulence in admissions, having a long-term view is essential. Here is a timeline to navigate testing without the panic.
9th Grade: Build the Engine
Focus: Executive Function skills (organization, task initiation).
Action: Ignore the SAT/ACT. Encourage reading for pleasure to build speed and stamina naturally.
10th Grade: The Diagnostic Year
Focus: Baseline testing.
Action: Have your student take a low-pressure mock SAT (Bluebook app) and a mock ACT. Compare the results. Ask: Which one felt less painful?
Crucial Step: Apply for College Board/ACT accommodations now.
11th Grade: The Execution Year
Fall: Begin targeted prep with a tutor who understands ADHD. Focus on building “testing stamina” (focusing for 2 hours straight).
Spring: Take the official test twice (e.g., March and June). If the first score is great, you’re done. If not, you have a second chance.
12th Grade: The Final Polish
Fall: If you are close to a scholarship cutoff, take the test one last time in August/September.
Decision: Compare your score to the “middle 50%” of your target college. If you are in range, submit it. If not, go test-optional.
Above all, remember that the “right college” is not just about the name on the sweatshirt. It is about finding the place that meets your child where they are and powers them forward.
If you found this helpful, pass it on. Thx, Dr. Christine Powell
