Myth: It looks bad if I take the ACT/SAT too many times

Key takeaways:

• It doesn’t look bad if you take the ACT/SAT too many times, but you could be hurting your efforts by taking the exams too much. 
• You should register for at least two ACT or SAT test dates. 
• To improve your standardized test scores, take practice tests, set goals, study, and use smart test techniques. 

Did you know you can take the ACT or SAT as much as you want, time allowing? While you could technically sit for every single exam during your junior or senior year of high school, it doesn’t mean you should. Instead, it pays to be smart about your SAT/ACT prep. Below, we dive into why it doesn’t look bad to take the ACT/SAT too many times, explain why you might not want to, and provide tips on how to improve your overall score. 

Does it look bad if I take the ACT/SAT too many times?

No, it doesn’t look bad if you take the ACT/SAT too many times. Colleges don’t care how many times you sit for the exams. In most cases, you don’t even have to submit all of your test scores to your schools. They’ll only view the ones you send in, and many superscore your results. 

Can I take the ACT/SAT too many times? 

Flickr user Quinn Dombrowski

While you can’t take the ACT/SAT too many times according to colleges, you can take them too many times in general. In 2026, there are 7 ACT test dates and 8 SAT test dates – and you could do yourself a disservice by sitting for all of them. 

The best way to prepare for the ACT/SAT is with practice tests and studying your weaker areas. Registering for every official exam might help you boost your score a little bit, but you need time for studying and all of your other responsibilities.

If you’re giving too much time and attention to your standardized tests, you could be hurting other areas of your college applications, such as your grades or essays.  

How many times should I take the ACT/SAT?

You should aim to take the ACT/SAT at least twice, including once during spring of your junior year and once during the fall of senior year. If you don’t achieve the score you’d like during the fall, register for the December exam to try a third time. 

Tips for improving your scores

Sitting for every available SAT/ACT test date isn’t the answer to improving your scores. Try these test taking tips out instead: 

• Set goals. One of the best ways to motivate yourself is to set a S.M.A.R.T goal for the SAT or ACT. If you’re not sure what number to aim for, check out what accepted students earned at your dream college. 
• Take practice tests. Schedule regular practice tests and take them as if they were the real deal. Eliminate distractions, set timers, and focus on the exam until you’re done. Grade them and take note of your strengths and weaknesses. 
• Focus on your weaker areas. Answer daily ACT/SAT questions, brush up on topics with videos, and reread your previous work on the subject. 
• Work with a tutor or study group. A tutor can help you find the best avenues for improving your score, while a study group can support and lift one another. 
• Don’t leave questions blank. You’re not penalized for wrong answers. If you’re running out of time, guess! You have a 20-25% chance of getting it right and scoring some points. 
• Use the process of elimination. If you’re stuck on a question, crossing out the answers you know to be wrong can help. If you have four multiple choice options and cross out two, you know how to have a 50% chance of landing on the right answer. 
• Come back to questions you find too hard. If you’re spending too long on any one question, come back to it at the end so you can devote more time to questions you know the answer to. 
• Review your answers. If you have time at the end of the section, go back and review your responses, especially any you found difficult. 

Your score and college acceptance: how to measure what you need

Colleges won’t judge you on how many times you took the SAT or ACT, what they care about is your best score. It’s best to take either test only a handful of times. You have other responsibilities during this time, between your senior classes and college applications, and you can’t spend all your free time studying for and taking the standardized tests. 

Creating a S.M.A.R.T. goal is the perfect way to motivate yourself when you want to improve your SAT or ACT score. College Match can provide you insight into how well other accepted students did at your top schools. Learn more here.