Each year students sit down to take the ACT/SAT tests in order to help get into their choice college. Here’s what has changed with the SAT:

• All new essay that is completely optional
• No penalty for guessing answers
• Vocab that you will actually use outside of the test

And with the ACT:

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) will now have an added scoring that is based on the science reasoning and math sections
• The writing section is still optional but would be helpful if the test taker wants to get into a competitive college
• Scoring for language arts  

The next SAT dates are Nov. 7 and then a date on Dec. 5. The deadline for the November date was Oct. 27 but you can still sign up for the December date until Nov. 5. Deadlines expire at midnight.