I took the SAT and ACT exams from the past two months and got the following scores:
SAT (1560C): 800M, 760R, 23/24 Essay
ACT (35C): 36E, 35M, 34R, 36S, 9/12 Essay
A 35 ACT score translates to 1560-1590 for the SAT, so the ACT composite is slightly better than the SAT composite. However, my essay score for the SAT is really good whereas my ACT essay score is only mediocre. Should I submit both or one over the other? I’m planning on going into a STEM field so math/science is really important, but writing essays is important no matter what I end up doing so I don’t want a mediocre essay score to hurt my application. Pls let me know your thoughts, and thanks!
Submit both. Excellent scores. The essays are carrying less weight than they used to and many highly selective schools no longer require them. Write excellent application essays!
@2mrmagoo Thank you! Although all the schools I’m applying to require them, I agree that it’s probably better to submit both. Thanks for your insight!
In this situation, its better to send both rather than just one. Most people have told me essay doesn’t matter that much. Regardless of that, sending both will benefit you.
Yep, send both. They’re essentially identical, with the only difference being the 9/12 on the ACT essay, but this is where the SAT writing score more than makes up for that. The two excellent sets of scores strengthen your case, not weaken it.
Oh, and for what it’s worth, when I took the GRE a decade ago (essentially the same as the SAT (verbal, math, and writing sections)), I received a 5.5 out of 6 on my essay, and for the life of me I do not understand where the half-point deduction came from. I was an English major, and I consider my writing skills to be very strong (though online posts do not always reflect this, so be kind Internet!). As an earlier poster suggested–at least, I think that this is what she/he was suggesting–schools do not necessarily put a lot of stock in the writing/essay score.
You’re fine. Standardized tests are only a part, and not even the most important part, of an applicant’s profile, but your scores are elite. Do the exam reports still provide percentile breakdowns? You know, the stats that tell you that you were in the top 1% of all test takers, or the top 3%, or top 5%? Your scores definitely place you in that cloud-cushioned seat up on high, where the rest of us have to crane our necks to spot you floating so far above. Congratulations.
Agreed–send both. The only exception would be if you have taken either SAT or ACT multiple times and are required to send all scores from that test. If you’ve taken one test 3-4 times and the other in a single sitting, send only the latter.
If that’s not the case, use both. The second one is redundant but provides corroboration that the first is not a fluke.
Great scores, by the way. Nice work.