Should you guess on the SAT and ACT?
Updated November 3, 2026 · facts checked against College Board and ACT sources listed below
Short answer
Yes. Neither the digital SAT nor the ACT deducts points for wrong answers, so a blank is always worth zero and a guess might be worth something. Answer every question, and when time is short, eliminate what you can and pick from what is left.
How to guess well
- Eliminate answers that are clearly wrong first; each one you remove raises the odds of a guess.
- On the SAT, mark hard questions in Bluebook, move on, and come back if there is time in that module.
- On SAT typed-answer Math questions, still enter your best estimate rather than leaving it blank.
- On the ACT, keep an eye on the clock in the last few minutes of each section and fill every remaining answer.
Common questions
Does the SAT have a guessing penalty?
No. Only correct answers count toward your score.
Does the ACT have a guessing penalty?
No. Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly.
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Sources
Policies and formats change; confirm details on collegeboard.org or act.org before you register.