Should I Take the ACT, the SAT, or Both?
The test requirement of the college is the main factor that determines which test(s) you will need to take.
Find out whether the colleges you are considering applying to require a specific test only, prefer one over another, or accept either without preference.
That being said, the SAT is more widely accepted, but the ACT is gaining more acceptance as well.
If you are applying to many colleges in various areas, or are unsure which you will be applying to, it is best to take both tests.
All colleges convert scores between the tests in a uniform manner.
You, however, may find that you tend to do better on one test format over another.
Make sure to see if you need SAT II subject test scores as well.
Visiting college websites is the quickest and most efficient way to find out all of the requirements.
Competitive colleges use test scores to filter applications.
The most competitive colleges receive far more applications than they can accommodate students.
At that point, colleges may tend to initially rely on eliminating most students with lower standardized test scores.
Standardized scores, out of all the other criteria, are the most equitable.
They will still look over your full application, of course, but it is far less likely to make this "first cut" without a good SAT score.
For competitive colleges, personal statements and extracurricular activities become areas for you to stand out, whereas test scores and grades are core, minimum qualifications.
Differences between the SAT and the ACT Tests Although both the SAT and the ACT gauge proficiency in foundational academics such as writing, reading, and math, the emphasis and philosophy for each differ.
The SAT focuses on reasoning and logic, and solving many questions involves seeing through tricks.
The ACT has more of a straightforward, scholastic approach, designed to test your knowledge of the subjects.
This generally means you are likely to see a greater boost in score when studying for the SAT than the ACT.
Other key differences are as follows: The biggest difference is that the SAT does not have a science section while the ACT does.
The essay on the SAT is mandatory while it is optional on the ACT The SAT subtracts ¼ of a Raw Score point whereas the ACT has no penalty for incorrect answers.
Therefore you should always guess on the ACT (keep in mind, however, that everyone gets this benefit, and the score conversion between the two tests account for this difference).
The SAT is graded additively with a total score of 2400.
The ACT assigns a score between 1 and 36 for each of the four sections and the final score is the average of your section scores.
Devoting energy into squeezing out an advantage through the SAT-ACT conversion chart is not an efficient endeavor and you are better off diverting that effort into studying and boosting your overall test knowledge.
Most things you study for on one test will be transferable to the other.
You can strategize which test to take based on the subjects and styles you're comfortable with, but don't bank on this making or breaking your score.
Unless all of your schools of interest accept either test or you are 100% sure you will not apply to schools that require the other test, it is a good idea to take both tests at least once.
There is very little downside to taking both tests, compared to not being able to apply to a college you later decide you are interested in.
Find out whether the colleges you are considering applying to require a specific test only, prefer one over another, or accept either without preference.
That being said, the SAT is more widely accepted, but the ACT is gaining more acceptance as well.
If you are applying to many colleges in various areas, or are unsure which you will be applying to, it is best to take both tests.
All colleges convert scores between the tests in a uniform manner.
You, however, may find that you tend to do better on one test format over another.
Make sure to see if you need SAT II subject test scores as well.
Visiting college websites is the quickest and most efficient way to find out all of the requirements.
Competitive colleges use test scores to filter applications.
The most competitive colleges receive far more applications than they can accommodate students.
At that point, colleges may tend to initially rely on eliminating most students with lower standardized test scores.
Standardized scores, out of all the other criteria, are the most equitable.
They will still look over your full application, of course, but it is far less likely to make this "first cut" without a good SAT score.
For competitive colleges, personal statements and extracurricular activities become areas for you to stand out, whereas test scores and grades are core, minimum qualifications.
Differences between the SAT and the ACT Tests Although both the SAT and the ACT gauge proficiency in foundational academics such as writing, reading, and math, the emphasis and philosophy for each differ.
The SAT focuses on reasoning and logic, and solving many questions involves seeing through tricks.
The ACT has more of a straightforward, scholastic approach, designed to test your knowledge of the subjects.
This generally means you are likely to see a greater boost in score when studying for the SAT than the ACT.
Other key differences are as follows: The biggest difference is that the SAT does not have a science section while the ACT does.
The essay on the SAT is mandatory while it is optional on the ACT The SAT subtracts ¼ of a Raw Score point whereas the ACT has no penalty for incorrect answers.
Therefore you should always guess on the ACT (keep in mind, however, that everyone gets this benefit, and the score conversion between the two tests account for this difference).
The SAT is graded additively with a total score of 2400.
The ACT assigns a score between 1 and 36 for each of the four sections and the final score is the average of your section scores.
Devoting energy into squeezing out an advantage through the SAT-ACT conversion chart is not an efficient endeavor and you are better off diverting that effort into studying and boosting your overall test knowledge.
Most things you study for on one test will be transferable to the other.
You can strategize which test to take based on the subjects and styles you're comfortable with, but don't bank on this making or breaking your score.
Unless all of your schools of interest accept either test or you are 100% sure you will not apply to schools that require the other test, it is a good idea to take both tests at least once.
There is very little downside to taking both tests, compared to not being able to apply to a college you later decide you are interested in.