<p>So I took my SATs already and scored a 2240 (680 CR 760 M and 800 W). I recently asked my parents if I could take the ACTs in September, and they were strongly against it, because they thought the ACT was "weaker" for some reason. I know that I could pull at least a 34, or 35 on the ACT (I'm good in the writing section, good in the math, good in science, and good in reading too- the only reason I scored 680 on the CR is because I got a ton of those vocab completions wrong, which aren't even on the ACT). So my question is, would sending a 35 ACT along with my SAT score strengthen my college application, or would it not matter if I just sent in my SAT alone? By the way, I already did subject tests too (800 math2 , 780 bio m, 770 US history). Thanks!</p>
<p>By no mean ACT is considered “weaker” than SAT. Each school may just have different conversion curves or emphasis in different section scores. If you do get 35 in ACT, it is mostly considered as equivalent of SAT around 2320-2360. Since your CR (and CR+M) score is a bit low for top schools, you may consider either retaking SAT or try ACT. However, the ACT, besides reading, has a science section that also requires CR skills, so it may give you some additional challenge. Anyway, you don’t need to send the ACT score if it is not good.</p>
<p>The ACT is not weaker. If you are planning on majoring in science, taking the ACT and doing well in the science section would be a real plus.</p>
<p>billscho, you seem to really know your stuff, I always appreciate your feedback. A question semi-related to the above dialogue - you or someone else might be able to answer. My D has taken the SAT & ACT - each once. The SAT came in at 1990 (CR was the challenge), while the ACT was a 33 (CR at a 30). She thinks the ACT is the test for her. She’s hopeful/confident she can get the ACT to a 34 (she got 35 in CR on the Plan test). To your comment above, our sense is you only send in your better/preferred test (with all scores from that preferred test). The confusion/question. Stanford, for example, said we have no preference in which test you take (ACT or SAT), and we admit based on your best score BUT we want to all the scores from every test you took. The assumption is, in her case, she have to send them her ACT AND SAT scores. Is that accurate for Stanford? If it is, it wold certainly appear they’re looking at both tests even if the ACT was her best score. Also, is that the case with the other schools - they admit based on the kids best score, but you need to send all test scores from both tests?</p>
<p>Call Stanford and ask them. I know they require ALL test scores, but I am not sure if they would require both. Good question. Call their admissions office or send them an e-mail.</p>
<p>Stanford has very thorough instruction on their website regarding score submission. If you are sending in SAT1 scores, you have to send them all (i.e. no score choice). If you send in ACT score, you either send all scores, or for financial reason you just send the best composite and then self report the rest. They will look at the best composite and the best English/Writing scores. If you send SAT2 scores, you may do that together with SAT1 with no score choice, or you can do score choice for subject test. If you have taken both SAT1 and ACT, they do want both. But likely the evaluate with the best one as many students just take SAT1 or ACT for fulfilling other requirement and did not prepare for it.</p>
<p><a href=“Page Not Found : Stanford University”>Page Not Found : Stanford University;
<p>Thanks for the comments and link. Excellent information. Got it, Stanford does want ALL ACT and SAT I scores, period. I imagine some kids will chose to send their best test and disregard the other (hoping they won’t be found out). That would be wrong - and I presume Stanford and other schools can figure that one out. This reinforces the obvious - while Stanford will “focus” on the best overall score (and consider some variations of sub/super scores), there’s a reason why they want to see everything. Logical conclusion, while the best score is the “focus”, all test scores will be “considered” in their admission decision. Bottom line: why sweat it, getting accepted to Stanford is such a crap shoot (read: miracle) anyway. </p>
<p>However, I wonder if many of the other “upper tier” scores require all (ACT and SAT 1) scores to be submitted? My wife/daughter haven’t gotten that far in the research yet – although only Stanford brought it up during the info sessions. If so, that seems like a strong argument (empirically) for incoming juniors and younger to focus on one test only. In my daughters case, she literally had identical scores in her PSAT/PLAN tests. The recommendation was to take both and then determine which was better for her (assuming she needed a 2nd try). No biggie but a little extra work. Upon further review – which was a one 1.5 hour tutoring session and 4 or 5 practice tests - it became clear ACT science really isn’t science after all, it’s “statistics”. Turns out statistics resonate well with my daughter, even though it’s a senior year class. </p>
<p>In my limited opinion, what with 6 months of information gathering, all these things probably way over-analyzed. Yet there is an interesting “Rubik’s cube” fascination with all the variations and permutations (and a great escape when stuck on seemingly endless conference calls -:).</p>
<p>It is disputable whether the school can find out if you hide some scores. However, many high schools put your test scores on the transcript. It would be stupid if you are trying to hide some scores while they appear on your transcript anyway. Really, there is little reason to hide a score. You may be unlucky and made some careless mistake to get a low score, but you can’t be just lucky to get a high score. That’s the logic why they consider your better score.</p>