With September’s debut of the new, enhanced ACT on paper, the ACT is fully committing to its shorter exam that makes science optional and eliminates 44 questions from its “classic” exam. To encourage students to embrace the new format, ACT is piloting a “bring your own device” program at several area high schools, where it will begin to test its ability to offer digital testing on a large scale format. While the digital SAT has already been warmly received by students across the U.S., with SAT test-takers outnumbering ACT test-takers by a 2:1 margin, the digital ACT exam has not been widely available in Minnesota, and many families have reported issues finding test sites with availability.
In October, Academy of Holy Angels, Minnetonka HS and Sartell HS will offer the “bring your own device” option, though the Holy Angels site is already full. In December, in addition to Minnetonka and Sartell, Lakeville and Delano High Schools will also offer the digital test.
Does digital ACT testing make sense for your student? Flying Colors has prepared a chart, below, that compares the ACT’s digital test to the SAT’s digital exam, and can provide some context for parents and test-takers.
Access to digital versions of both the ACT and the SAT has been challenging in Minnesota, so Flying Colors encourages parents and student to plan ahead and register early to ensure access to the exam(s) of your choice. We are also recommending for students targeting the ACT that they choose to take the test on paper, as there is very little practice content available in a digital format, while a reasonable amount of material is available on paper. Please click here to register for an ACT, and here to register for an SAT.
| ACT | SAT | |
| Supported devices | Windows, Chromebook, and Macbook computers (no iPads) | Windows or Macbook computers, iPads, and school-managed Chromebooks
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| Device readiness | Install ACT Gateway before test day.
Log in with your MyACT credentials.
Run the Device Check before the device readiness deadline but no more than 30 days before the test. |
Install Bluebook before test day.
Click Test Your Device.
Check for updates to Bluebook before test day. If testing on a Mac in the fall, avoid updating your OS right before a test. |
| Internet connection | Continuous access to WiFi is necessary for testing. If the internet becomes unavailable during testing, the test will be affected. | Access to WiFi is necessary only at the start of the test to download the questions and at the end of the test to upload answers.
If the internet becomes unavailable during testing, the test should not be affected. |
| Practice | Practice is not available in the app. | Practice tests and practice questions are available in the app. |
| Technical Issues | “You will need to communicate with the Room Supervisor and Technical Coordinator on test day and escalate to ACT if you require further support or troubleshooting.” | “If you hit a snag during testing, follow any instructions you see in Bluebook. If you and your proctor can’t quickly resolve the issue, they’ll send you to a help room where a staff member will assist you.” |
| Power | Bring a fully charged device and a power cord or portable charger as backup but you may not have access to an outlet. | Bring a fully charged device and a power cord or portable charger as backup but you may not have access to an outlet. |
| Accommodations | Accommodations are available. | Accommodations are available. |
| Calculator | External calculators that are not connected to the computer are approved, including 4-function, graphing and scientific calculators.
“An on-screen calculator may be available.”
Learn more about ACT’s calculator policy. |
External calculators that are not connected to the computer are approved, including 4-function, graphing and scientific calculators.
Desmos graphing calculator built in to the testing platform.
Learn more about SAT’s calculator policy. |
| Timing | The timing is the same for paper and computer-based ACTs. | A timer shows the remaining time. It can be hidden until 5 minutes remain, then it gives an alert. |
| If your device does not meet the minimum requirements | You must register for a paper test or to use a test center computer. | Request a device for SAT Weekend from College Board at least 30 days before test day. |
| If you forget your device or it does not work on test day | You may be unable to test. | |
Source: Compass Prep