SD-ACT to Replace Current Junior State Assessment in South Dakota

Beginning in Spring 2026, South Dakota public schools will use the ACT as the state assessment for juniors. This change is designed to provide more meaningful testing for students and families while supporting college and career planning.

This means that:

   • All South Dakota public school juniors will take the SD-ACT online during
     the school day at no cost.

   • This will typically occur in March and include all testing subjects:
     English, Reading, Math, Science, and Writing.

   • The results will be used to measure student performance on district
     and high school Accountability Report Cards.

   • Students can retake the ACT at their own expense should they
     wish to attempt to improve their scores.

“For many years, South Dakota students have been outscoring their counterparts nationally and regionally on the ACT. Even though we know testing all students will reduce our average scores 1.5 to 2.5 points, we still expect solid results and the kind of scores which will open doors for even more students to pursue postsecondary educational opportunities,” said Secretary of Education Joseph Graves.

Why the ACT?

It’s One Less Test
The SD-ACT will be our state summative assessment, reducing testing for over 60% of South Dakota’s high school students who took both the former state assessment and the ACT.

It’s Aligned to South Dakota’s Content Standards
We’ve carefully reviewed the ACT and confirmed that it is aligned with South Dakota’s content standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. That means the test reflects what is being taught in classrooms across South Dakota.

It Opens Doors for All Students
While the ACT is often associated with college admission, it also offers valuable insights into students’ skills and career readiness. Regardless of postsecondary plans, ACT results can highlight individual strengths, support informed career exploration, and help connect students with a wide range of opportunities—including university programs, technical education, apprenticeships, and direct entry into the workforce. We know from student experiences in other states that require the ACT it has led some students who did not intend to pursue any kind of postsecondary study to set their sights a bit higher as they realize they are perhaps ”college material” after all.

It’s a Credential That Travels with You
Unlike traditional state assessments, the ACT is a nationally recognized credential. Scores can be used for college applications, scholarships, and job applications, giving students a head start on the path they choose.

It Saves Parents and Students Money
This test administration is free for students, saving parents money.

Information on what the SD-ACT is, test dates, preparing for the assessment, expectations, support tips, and benefits can all be reviewed in this helpful one-page guide.

The Assessment Team has prepared a multi-page document that provides a timeline of events for the SD-ACT, including important deadlines and items listed throughout.

To best prepare for the SD-ACT, there are two resources available to administrators.

South Dakota Spring 2026 ACT Test Day Administrator Webinar – Tues., Jan. 13
This webinar provides test coordinators with an overview of how to administer a successful test day. Additional on-demand ACT-hosted webinars are accessible through the SD-ACT Website under Webinars and Office Hours.

DOE hosted SD-ACT Training – Wed., Jan. 28
This training provides important information for individuals assisting with the SD-ACT test day activities. Participants can attend in person in Pierre, SD or virtually.

Methodize is a simple, yet effective online learning platform that empowers students to learn new skills and reach their potential. It offers a self-paced ACT preparation course that provides students in grades 9 to 12 with a comprehensive overview of the most effective strategies and the most relevant content for raising their ACT scores. Students who have used Methodize to study for the ACT have seen an average increase of 3 points on a 36-point scale!

Methodize is available at no cost to all South Dakota students in grades 9-12. This resource is provided by the South Dakota Department of Education and can be accessed through SDMyLife powered by Xello. Students and educators can simply log into their accounts and access Methodize at any time.

Easy to print and share documents that explain what Methodize is and how it can be accessed and implemented by students and educators can be found on the Methodize page on SDMyLife.

Educators, counselors, and administrators can also learn more about Methodize by accessing a recent recorded webinar via Canvas.

Questions about Methodize, including access, implementation, training, and more, can be directed to Kara Schweitzer.