SAT, ACT or both???

Question

i'm really confused. my mom told me that barely any colleges demand the SAT, although a lot allow you to choose between the SAT and ACT. but my friend, (who has her heart set on Notre Dame) said that you MUST take both the SAT and ACT, because she thinks that all colleges DEMAND the SAT. what's the real deal here? and also, would it be smart to take both tests?

Answer 1

You only need to take one, but like me, if you don't know which one to pick, then take both. I'm taking both to see how my scores come out. Here's what you need to know though.

*A good SAT score is generally above a 2000. "Above average" is anything above a 1500 (on my PSAT practice I got an 1820). The thing is, that if you want to get into a demanding college, getting a 1700 or an 1800 doesn't seem like anything special. The best scores are higher than 2000. Personally, I feel the SAT requires a lot of reasoning and sometimes the answer is there and you can't see it. People who are good test takers and are not easily duped by "hidden questions" tend to get higher SAT scores. Even some smart kids don't do extraordinary because the SAT is not based on what you learn in school, it's more about how you use your thinking skills.

*The ACT on the other hand is an achievement test. If you have ever taken a standardized test in elementary school or middle school to test how you are up to your grade, it's kind of like that (of course, not the same content...just the way the test is set up). It measures what you've learned and how you can apply it on a test. I find the ACT math and writing sections more fair. A good ACT score is above 30. I did pretty well on my first diagnostic ACT...so I feel that the ACT is for me, but just to be on the safe side I'm taking both.

A lot of colleges demand the SAT. In fact, the SAT is the most famous test for college entrance. But it depends on how you feel. All Ivy Leagues accept either test. It's up to you really. Try taking a practice test, it is the BEST way to know which test you should take.

Answer 2

Very few colleges DEMAND either test. However, on the whole those in the Midwest and South tend to prefer the ACT (which is published in Iowa), while those in the Northeast and Pacific Coast prefer the SAT (which is published in New Jersey). Notre Dame will accept either test. They've traditionally preferred SAT, but I've known people who have been admitted there with only ACT scores. The vast majority of college admissions offices use conversion tables that will use one score to estimate the other.

If money isn't a problem, it is often smart to take both tests. If you tend to be a good logical thinker, you're likely to score higher on the SAT. If you got good grades in college-prep courses in high school, you're likely to get a better ACT score because that test covers much of the content in those courses. You don't need to report any scores you don't want to, so you can wait to see how you did before you send either set of scores to any college.

Answer 3

Most colleges in the country take EITHER the ACT or the SAT, Notre Dame included (i'm applying there).
My college counselor recommended that I take both tests, see which one I do better on, and take that one again (if you want to try to get a higher score).
I would recommend the ACT because it's a better test, and the questions are straightforward and aren't meant to trick you like the SAT. The ACT is more reflective of what you have learned in school, while the SAT measures what kind of a test-taker you are and how good you are at eliminating wrong answers. I took both, and my ACT equivalent was 200 points better than my original SAT score. (There have been studies shown that females do better on the ACT than males and males do better on the SAT than females. But I'd advise to take both.)
Also, colleges only look at your highest score. If you got a 30 (SAT equivalent=1980) on the ACT but a 1700 on the SAT, they'll only look at the ACT because obviously they want to report that their applicants have higher test scores.

Answer 4

Depending on what colleges you want to go to and what state you live in dictates which is better to take. Generally colleges will accept both but your councilor should be able to tell you which is more beneficial to take, if you live in the midwest like me the SAT would be the best. I would recommend going to the colleges you are interested in websites and checking what they accept.

Answer 5

faculties will settle for the two one: you do no longer might desire to take the two. you may attempt the two and notice which one you do greater effective on. some faculties require the ACT plus SAT problem tests, yet for different faculties, the ACT is sufficient. The ACT focuses on the comparable form of problems you learn in extreme college, while the SAT relies greater on the applying of those recommendations. stable success!

Answer 6

It depends on the school.

Look at the requirements of your colleges of interest, then decide which test you should take.

The college I went to only accepted ACT.

Answer 7

yeah they do make you take it