FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky high school students will now take the SAT as the state’s required college admissions exam.

The Kentucky Department of Education announced that the College Board will administer the test to high school juniors beginning in the spring of 2026. The test will cost students $30. According to KDE, switching to the SAT could save the state up to $350,000 a year.

In the past, ACT was the college admissions exam provider; that contract ended June 30, 2025. The SAT is widely accepted by colleges and universities across the country. In Kentucky, most public institutions look at SAT scores for admission, even when exams are optional for admission.

“The move to the SAT gives Kentucky students access to powerful tools that support their success, like free, personalized prac

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