Oklahoma Lawmakers Weigh Testing Alternatives to ACT

State officials are considering making the ACT optional after low test score rankings for the class of 2026.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring stylized geometric shapes, representing diverse testing pathways in education policy. — Oklahoma legislators are reviewing proposals to make the ACT optional, seeking to provide high school students with more flexible post-graduation testing pathways. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should states prioritize alternative testing options over mandatory college-prep exams for high school students?

Oklahoma lawmakers held an interim study at the state Capitol to explore potential alternatives to the current mandatory ACT requirement for high school students. The proposal seeks to make the exam optional as the state faces challenges regarding student engagement and performance.

Why it matters

School superintendents report that the current reliance on the ACT fails to serve non-college-bound students and those with disabilities who may not prioritize the exam. This shift aims to better align state testing requirements with diverse student post-graduation paths.

The class of 2026 achieved an average composite ACT score of 17.4 out of a possible 36, placing the state 50th in the nation. Only Nevada recorded a lower average composite score than Oklahoma.

The details

Legislators are reviewing various exam options to potentially replace the current exclusive use of the ACT, including the SAT, the Classical Learning Test, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, and the ACT's WorkKeys. The move comes as officials seek to address concerns that students not pursuing higher education often do not take the current mandatory testing seriously.

The Legislature held an interim study at the state Capitol on October 28, 2026.
The class of 2026 recorded an average composite ACT score of 17.4 during the 2026 calendar year.
Lawmakers are expected to deliberate on these testing requirement changes during the next legislative session.

Culture Shift

The move to broaden assessment metrics reflects a wider national trend of reconsidering the necessity of standardized college entrance exams in secondary education. This pivot highlights a shift toward prioritizing vocational readiness and diverse student pathways over traditional, singular testing benchmarks.

Students and parents should anticipate potential changes to graduation requirements that could provide more flexibility in how high school proficiency is demonstrated. The shift may eventually reduce the focus on ACT prep, potentially altering daily classroom routines and counseling priorities in local school districts.

The takeaway

Legislators and local educators are signaling a transition toward more diverse assessment tools to better support students with varying career goals. Families should monitor updates from the next legislative session to see how these potential testing changes might affect upcoming graduation requirements.