<p>I'm sure this has been discussed before, so I apologize if it's redundant.</p>
<p>It turns out my S2, may do better on the ACT than the SAT, which is different than his older brother, so its a bit new to me. I understand it is now accepted at ALL colleges and they are viewed as equals. He is now a junior, so his college list a work in progress. I can call the schools on his current list and confirm their test policy but I would hate find out a last minute addition only takes the SAT.</p>
<p>I know a lot of people who have done better on the ACT in comparison to the SAT. To answer your question, the “official” answer is yes: most colleges do state that they treat the SAT and the ACT the same. However, I personally believe that colleges do not view it the same…</p>
<p>Studies have shown that just this year, more people have taken the ACT than the SAT (about less than 1% difference). For that reason, I would think that what the colleges are saying about equality of the SAT and ACT is true.</p>
<p>But let’s be real, it doesn’t really matter what is preferred more by colleges. It’s what test you prefer and will get you the higher score that will ultimately benefit you more.</p>
<p>As far as acceptance of the ACT in place of the SAT, all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. allow this (the last hold-out was Harvey Mudd, which accepted the ACT starting in 2007).</p>
<p>Whether they are “viewed as equals” is a different question. If a college doesn’t view them as equivalent, it is saying one thing and doing another, which is at the least very dishonest.</p>
<p>ALL colleges will take either score. There is, I believe one college in CA, that states it prefers the ACT(!) but all four year colleges accept both. Send whichever score is better.</p>