Hi everyone,
I’m having a bit of a dilemma deciding which test scores to use in my application in terms of ACT vs SAT. I scored a 2300 (800 CR 780 M 720 W) on my second time taking the SAT and a 35 ACT on my first try. In terms of the conversions I’ve seen online, the 35 ACT seems to be the better of the two scores, although they are really similar. The problem is that I also have two 800 SAT II scores (Math 2 and Bio M) and I really want to report them, but I also have one that I didn’t do so hot on (670 World History). I know that if you report your ACT score you don’t need to send subject scores so I was just wondering what the best course of action would be. Would it be best to choose one over the other or just send both?
While it’s true that some schools (e.g. Brown, Duke, Columbia) allow you to send the ACT in place of the SAT and SAT IIs, other schools (like Yale or Georgetown) want to see ALL of your subject test scores (and Georgetown wants all scores, period.) So if you want to apply to Yale, you need to send your 670 no matter what. Then there are schools who will take either the ACT or the SAT, but either way they still require 2 subject tests (e.g. Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton). But with schools like the three I just mentioned, you can choose which subject tests to send. So, for example, if you’re applying to Harvard, you could send your 35 ACT, 2300 SAT, and your two 800s. It’s perfectly okay to leave out the 670 for those schools.
I would just make sure you’re clear on every school’s policy before you start sending stuff out. Good luck!
I personally think the SAT is better (with the 1580 CR+M) but sending both (if you have the money) is also a good option. Sending both really can’t hurt you.
@rdeng2614 , just the opposite. On the Common Date Set, colleges are only required to report the ACT Composite score, but on the SAT they report the CR & M. For students who, although their CR + M scores are equal to their ACT score, are lower in either CR or M, they should report their ACT score. This happened with my D. She Had a 1350 CR + M, but her breakdown was 710 CR / 640 M. She was below the college of her choice’s 25th percentile in M. However she got a 31 ion the ACT & I believe this really helped get her in.
@rdeng2614@csdad so if what you’re saying is true and only the composite score is required for the ACT would sending the ACT actually be better in this instance? If I do decide to send both 1. would schools see both scores and 2. would it benefit me in any way?
According to conversion chart, http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/pdf/reference.pdf your SAT I is a little higher than your ACT, but the difference between a 1560 & a 1580 is not going to make any difference. It may be worth not having to report the 640 to go with only the ACT score.