How to deal with a disparity between SAT and ACT scores...

Test Preparation
1

<p>Took the March SAT, got a 2020. Took the June ACT and got a 34 (extremely surprised me because it was my first time!). I am very happy with this ACT score and don't plan on taking it again, it puts me in the range of the schools I want. However I realize my SAT scores look quite low compared to my ACT. One conversion site said a 34 should be around a 2260 SAT score, so I am about 240 points low. </p>

<p>When I took both tests, I sent the scores (without knowing them) to my top 4 colleges so that it would be free. I knew I would do decent on both of them so I wasn't concerned. Upon finding out my ACT score this morning I felt relieved and told myself I was done with standardized tests; now I am wondering if I should retake the SAT because it looks so low.</p>

<p>I have always heard colleges consider SAT and ACT scores equally, they don't care which one you submit, pick the one that you are best at, etc. (All of my schools take both.) So will this 34 overshadow the 2020 SAT? Or will my top colleges (ND, WashU) just look at my low SAT score and think I got the 34 by luck or something? Should I retake the SAT to try and get it up to the level of my ACT? Thank you for your help!</p>

2

<p>You’re overcomplicating this. It’s understandable, because the process of applying to college can be totally crazy-making. Apparently in your case, the kind of insanity it creates relates to standardized testing.</p>

<p>Stop overthinking this, and stop taking standardized tests (unless you’re applying to some fancy-pants colleges that require SAT subject tests, even if you’re submitting ACT scores).</p>

3

<p>I’m in the same boat as you, only reversed. I did rather awesome on my SAT (2370) but comparatively poor on the ACT (31). I’m curious as to what I should do…</p>