<p>Many of the schools I'm applying to accept either the SAT or the ACT or they accept the SAT I with 2 SAT subject tests or the ACT. Personally, I prefer the ACT over the SAT; I like its format more and perform slightly better on it than the SAT. Furthermore, I'd rather just take one standardized test (the ACT) than one standardized tests and 2 other tests, depending on where I apply.</p>
<p>However, lately, all this standardized test crap has been bothering me, especially after a conversation I had with my father, who said that when he was applying for college, some colleges found the ACT to be "less prestigious" than the SAT. Now then, we all knows times change, and this may not be the case anymore, but its really bugging me...</p>
<p>I want to apply to places like Middlebury, Reed, and Vassar sending in an ACT score. All those colleges accept either test, but do they really have a preference? Do selective colleges really find one test to be more prestigious and accurate than the other?</p>
<p>Some people say an ACT score may help you stand out from the other applicants who will most likely have a SAT score.... but thats just what I hear.</p>
<p>No, don't study for the SAT with a blind perspective. Don't study for any standardized test with a blind perspective. First, take a practice version of both tests. Find the one that you are more comfortable on, and study for that. </p>
<p>And, if you're even concerned with the prestige of the ACT, then forget about prestige. Actually look at what both tests measure. Most schools that accept either test, including some Ivy League schools and other prestigious schools, only want the ACT, if that is what you decide to take. They don't require any SAT IIs if taking the ACT. That gives the ACT a better content validity, and Dartmouth conducted a study in which it concluded that the ACT had a better predictive validity for college scores of that high school acceptance pool. If those results can be generalized, which I think they can, then validity is not a question.</p>
<p>I took both. Bombed the SAT, pwned the ACT.
Short answer: both are equal.
Long answer: They generally will use the SAT as the benchmark score and convert all ACT scores to an equivalent score. Generally, the coast states like SAT, the inner ones loosley prefer ACT.</p>
<p>Well, the coast states might, but the Ivy League doesn't care what test you take. I read how Harvard didn't care in the New York Times, and Dartmouth certainly doesn't. Brown, UPenn, and Yale only require the ACT if you take it, no SAT IIs. Dartmouth, Princeton, Cornell, and Harvard still require SAT IIs, but they don't care if you take the ACT or the SAT. I have no clue about Columbia, but then, I've never cared for Columbia anyway, and I still don't.</p>
<p>so i had the SAME EXACT question. my friend that goes to reed said they might be "suspicious," but is that even true? i mean seriously... they say that they prefer either one.</p>
<p>
[quote]
"If they take both, they treat them equally, so it's really up to you."</p>
<p>"All schools in the United States accept the ACT and SAT. Both tests are treated equally."</p>
<p>"Short answer: both are equal."</p>
<p>"SAT = ACT
there is no 100 word explanation needed."
[/quote]
Not always true. For a given school, google for their Common Data Set, section C8. One of the check boxes can indicate "SAT preferred" and if checked, you may be lowering your chances of admission if you submit only the ACT.</p>
<p>^ What! Could u please give us a link for a school that does that...now I am getting concerned, this is going to be my first standardized test and I most certainly do NOT want to be wasting my time.</p>