ACT versus SAT for admissions and ease

[xiggi]

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Oh, that is because SAT stands for Superior Applicants Test and ACT of Average College Test.

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<p>In case that was not clear, that quip was just as jocular as if I had written that the SAT stands for Sino American Test and ACT for Average Chinese Test.</p>

<p>As others have said, in today’s environment the tests are “almost” interchangeable. A lot of ink was spilled when the most selective schools abandoned their stated “preferences” for the SAT. Others went as far as allowing the pendulum to swing the other way when they accepted the “science” portion of the ACT as a substitute of a SAT Subject tests. A loophole that was gleefuly used by ACT fanboys.</p>

<p>Both organization benefits from their “marketing” performance. The ACT has mastefully convinced several states that the ACT was every bit as good as the SAT and the money should stay in the Midwest and not enrich the Yankees! The College Board has been able to preserve the monopoly of the PSAT and force every MMF to take the SAT. The College Board, obviously has no competition for its AP tests, unless you consider the European IB program to be comparable. Without forcing students to take the ACT at the state level, the ACT would be a fraction of what it is today.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that testers have the luxury to test the take that fits their geography the best. No school should discriminate against a student who takes the ACT where it is offered. Despite the publicity and the denial, I would NOT be so sure that a student who lives in a NON-ACT region will not raise a few eyebrows if not presenting a SAT score. This said, this is moot at the many schools that now reject the new score choice policies. A policy, I might add, should be universal for both the SAT and … the ACT. </p>

<p>In the end, I believe that most students SHOULD take both the ACT and SAT to find out which format suits them the best, AND SUBMIT ALL scores.</p>

<p>By the way, if you are interested in a PERSONAL opinion, I have always found the ACT to be an inferior test because it does not have the ETS historical library and suffers from an annoying presentation. I also note that the ACT organization does not disclose as many tests as the CB does, probably to mask its lack in investing in the test continuing development. If one wants to compare the ACT and the SAT, all that is needed is comparing the PLAN and the PSAT! </p>

<p>I also think it is easier in the high ranges and that colleges understand that the concordance list that is floating on the web is generous for ACT testers.</p>

<p>As far as being easier, the answer will vary enormously among candidates. While the material tested is almost identical, the presentation of the tests is different. One rewards more reasoning and the other more speed on simple math manipulations.</p>

[Pizzagirl]

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i’ve read from a number of sources that some students take the ACT because it’s easier. if so, wouldn’t some colleges also think it’s easier and therefore would prefer the SAT? does this mean that taking the ACT might make you seem lazy? what are people’s thoughts on whether or not the ACT is easier? sorry, these questions have been on my mind. thanks!

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<p>AGAIN, what part of “they have historical roots in different parts of the country” is unclear? Midwesterners have historical affinity to the ACT. East / West coast has historical affinity to the SAT. Colleges KNOW that. It isn’t some grand surprise.</p>

[Pizzagirl]

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I have seen annual newspaper reports over the years in the Midwest listing where valedictorians and salutatorians of a lot of schools applied and decided to attend and the ivies are hardly mentioned and 95% or more choose a Midwest college.

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<p>Likewise, I’m betting the same % of people on the east coast choose an east coast college. Nothing’s any different, anywhere.</p>

[mrlaurencenguyen]

<p>I’m considering taking the ACT, and from the practice test I’ve taken so far on their website, I’d have to say the math section is definitely harder than the one from the SAT. Reading section is essentially the same as the SAT counterpart, except with the exclusion of vocabulary questions. But it may be easier to achieve a higher score on the ACT simply because there are no guessing penalties.</p>

[annasdad]

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Also, the number of students in any graduating high school class that now take the ACT is close to the same as the number who take the SAT, also partly a reflection that more in the east (and west coast) are taking it in additon to or as an alternative to the SAT.

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<p>And that some states ( Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wyoming, may be others now) require all students, college-bound or not, to take the ACT, as part of the testing suite required under No Child Left Behind.</p>

<p>The link below is more or less justification for this practice from ACT, but contains some useful info too:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/pdf/coil_benefits.pdf[/url]”>http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/pdf/coil_benefits.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[Pizzagirl]

<p>Growing up in the east, I was an SAT snob, and regarded the ACT as, well, the test you took if you only aspired to a state school. But times have changed and my opinion has too. My Midwestern raised kids were required to take the ACT anyway; they took one other sitting (scores virtually unchanged); what would be the point of wasting a Saturday taking the SAT when colleges know perfectly well what the story is? Good lord, do you people really think college adcoms don’t know about historical regional preferences?</p>