ACT Testing

Among all of the decisions high school juniors have to make, one of the biggest is whether to take the SAT, the ACT or both. Most colleges say they're happy with either test. That doesn't make the decision any easier. In practice, though, the two standardized exams are so different that you should be able to make up your mind.

Even though most schools will accept that ACT, there is a small bias against it. If you're going to apply to the top schools, you can't go wrong with the SAT. For better or worse, it is the more prestigious test. The vast majority of applicants submit either just their SAT scores or both SAT and ACT. Very few just take the latter.

The SAT favors bright students who are able to think quickly on their feet. The ACT is more curriculum-based, and therefore favors hardworking students, who always do their homework. The ACT is an hour shorter, so if you have a short attention span, you may be better off taking that test. It also has a science section, which the SAT does not. The verbal section of the SAT focuses on vocabulary, while the ACT focuses more on grammar and syntax. The math section of the ACT is arguably easier and more straightforward, but it also has a trigonometry section, which the SAT does not.

If you're a good test-taker, you should do well with either test. Similarly, if you're a terrible test-taker, you'll probably do poorly whichever one you take. Like most standardized exams, the SAT and the ACT favor good test-taking skills over knowledge or ability. For a few students in the middle, one test may yield slightly better results than the other. If you're unsure, take SAT and ACT practice tests to see where you score better, then go with that one. There's really no good reason to take both.