The SAT vs The ACT: Which Test Is Right For You?

Almost all colleges accept both SAT or ACT scores and they’ll use whichever score better benefits the student (which means it better benefits their college rankings). SOME schools that are considered highly selective prefer the SAT because it makes finer distinctions on the higher end of the testing range. Most students will do better on one or the other. Additionally, the better score will also be used when it comes to evaluating a student for scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

If a $40 test makes you eligible for an additional $500, $1000 or $3000 dollars in financial aid, don’t you think it’s worth the time to take the test? The key is figuring out which one is better for you.

SAT I

• Consists of three sections, Critical Reading, Math and Writing. Each section has a maximum score of 800.

• Many of the colleges are saying they still focus on the critical reading and math scores together (as they did before change in 2005).

• When it comes to the writing section, it varies. Some look at the writing separately, some don’t care about it and some combine it with the reading and writing as a whole score… just an FYI colleges are NOT always upfront or completely honest about how they view the writing portion.

• SAT makes heavy use of “distracters” – answers that look like correct answers.
• SAT penalizes you for random guessing. If you have no idea, you should not guess. You lose ¼ point for a wrong answer. If you can narrow down your options to two out of four, guess.

• Any student who has done well on standardized testing tends to do well on the SAT.

• Confident, aggressive problem solvers do well on the SAT, which emphasizes problem solving, reasoning and logic.

• Many colleges are not accepting the SAT “Score Choice Option”. They want to see all test scores. All test results for any tests administered by the College Board will appear on official score reports sent to the colleges.

ACT

• Consists of four sections, English, math, reading and science reasoning, each with a maximum score of 36 which make up one overall composite score, also out of 36.

• The Writing Portion is optional; however, since some schools want it and others don’t, I recommend you take it anyway.

• ACT is a more straightforward assessment of student achievement.

• ACT does not penalize for guessing.

• You can choose to send only your best score – you can choose which score to send to the colleges.

• ACT might be a better test for a student who has issues completing sections, perhaps due to a learning disability, but doesn’t qualify for test accommodations.

Your Assignment:

Plan out your testing schedule NOW. Also, you need to figure out which test is better for you. Why make yourself miserable taking the SAT three times if you’ll do better on the ACT? All of the students I work are advised to take each test at least once and then we plan out the rest of their testing schedule from there. Test scores translate into better money in the financial aid office. The better the score, the better the student, the better the money, period.