<p>My friend told me that although colleges claim to NOT care whether student takes the ACT or SAT, admissions officers prefer to see SAT scores because they can understand a student's capabilities better with SAT scores since its been around longer and they themselves have taken the SAT before. Plus, she said since the ACT has a smaller scale of scores (1-36), it is hard to distinguish between individuals since A LOT of people may have the exact same score. </p>
<p>IS ANY OF THIS TRUE?? SHOULD I FOCUS MORE ON THE SAT??</p>
<p>I’ve <em>heard</em> that colleges on the coasts (like ivy leagues) tend of favor SAT more while those located in the middle tend to favor ACT. I have no idea how much of this is true, so don’t take my word for it. Either way though, I don’t think it will really affect your application. Take whichever test you believe you have a better chance at, or both.</p>
<p>Nope, it’s not true. It may have been true 30 years ago. Colleges know darn well that the test that a student takes is largely driven by regionality (in many midwestern states, the ACT is required as part of high school, so it’s silly to then go take the SAT unless there is a specific reason) and it matters about as little as whether the student says “pop” or “soda.” Let it go.</p>
<p>No, No and No again. Read the college web sites. Read the informed posters on this forum. The SAT is NOT considered better than the ACT. As a matter of fact the ACT surpassed the SAT in students taking it two years ago. Only ONE college professes a preference and that is a CA college for the ACT. No.</p>