If you are a high school senior is it necessary to take both the ACT and SAT in order to go to college?

Question

Does the test scores of these tests affect ones choices in what college one can attend?

Answer 1

Honestly, you shouldn't have to take both tests. What I would do is contact the college or colleges you want to attend and ask their admissions department which test they either require or prefer for admission. That should push you in the right direction.

Answer 2

All schools accept ACT. Most schools accept SAT. Unless you know you'll apply to a school that won't accept SAT, you can get by with only taking one.

That said, the tests are different. Some people do better on ACT (where wrong answers don't count against you) than on SAT (where they do). Some people do better the other way; and for some people, it doesn't matter.

The test scores affect which colleges will accept you. Look at the 25-75 percentile range of the colleges to which you plan to apply. You should fall in that range or better. The better you do compared to the average student at the school, the more scholarship money they are likely to offer you.

SAT/ACT are not the only factors. High school grades, what courses you took in high school, recommendations, extracurricular activities are all important. Sometimes, it matters whether you have a unique skill (hockey goalie, first chair violinist, published author), or where you live (schools like diversity and may want you to have someone from a different background at their school) or who your parents are (big contributors, graduates from that school).

Answer 3

No, it's not necessary to take both. Colleges take EITHER the SAT or ACT. I would recommend taking both though. You can see which one you do better on and submit that one. The SAT tests how well you will do in college level courses and the ACT tests your knowledge from all 4 years of high school. Take that into consideration when taking the tests. Oh and look into whether the college you are applying to requires and SAT II subject tests. Most competitive universities require 2 subject tests including the SAT or ACT. Good luck ^-^

Answer 4

depends on the college. I was accepted to every college I applied to and I only took the ACT. Some require both, and some only require one. Look at the college's you're interested in and do what you gotta do to get in.