Regulations on retaking SAT or ACT tests

You can take the SAT and ACT as many times as you want, as there are no official limits on the number of attempts. For the SAT, you can take the test up to seven times per year, with test dates typically offered in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. The ACT also offers multiple test dates throughout the year, and you can take it up to twelve times total.

When it comes to how colleges view multiple test scores, most universities, including the University of Michigan, practice score choice or superscore policies. Score choice lets you choose which test dates to send to colleges. Superscoring means colleges will consider your highest section scores across different test dates to create your best possible composite score. For engineering programs at Michigan, they'll look at your highest scores, so taking the test multiple times can work to your advantage.

Each retake costs money - the SAT costs $60 and the ACT costs $68 without the writing section. Fee waivers are available if you demonstrate financial need, and these can cover up to two attempts for each test. Most college admissions experts recommend taking either test no more than 2-4 times total, as scores typically plateau after that point.

The best strategy for retaking these tests is to space out your attempts and use the time between tests for focused preparation. Many students see their biggest score improvements between their first and second attempts, after they've become familiar with the test format and timing. For engineering programs, paying special attention to the math sections during your preparation can be particularly beneficial, as these scores often carry more weight for STEM-focused majors.