low SAT, good ACT. Why send both?

<p>I've been reading alot, and would really appreciate some of your wisdom here.</p>

<p>My S just finished his jr yr. He's taken the SATs 3x: R 530, M 610, W 480 (Oct jr yr), R530, M 640, W 580 (Mar jr yr), R 580, M 640, W520 (june jr year)</p>

<p>He just got his ACT scores back: E 26, M 28, R 32, S 32--composite 30</p>

<p>He's taken the Physics test and got a 510.</p>

<p>My question is this: Does he have to send in both SAT and ACT scores or should he stick with the ACT because it's better. He's my oldest so I'm new to this whole process. And I try to read about it but seems to get even more confusing as to what is best. On college board it states most schools take either SAT or ACT.</p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>Check with the specific schools he’s looking to apply to, most only require one score (in which case only send the ACT), while others ask for all the tests that you’ve ever taken.</p>

<p>No matter what they ask for, in terms of looking at test scores, nearly every school will use your highest.</p>

<p>thanks splendi!</p>

<p>If he took the ACT with writing, it will suffice for most schools in fulfilling the SAT reasoning tests, as well as the subject tests (SAT 2s). In his case, if the schools permit it, I would only submit the ACT. (if he did indeed take it with writing)</p>

<p>It is an issue of whether the college requires him to send both, most do not in which case send the ACT w/writing. However, there are a number of colleges that require you to send “all scores” and one problem with that is what those colleges mean by all scores varies: some literally require all scores; others require all SATs unless you instead submit all ACTs, some require all SATs if you submit it but only one ACT if you instead submit it, and then those in any of those categories may or may not require you to send all SAT IIs.</p>

<p>Similar situation, DD’s SAT I scores were 750 CR, 650 M, 700 W. Her SAT II scores were not very strong (we didn’t know you could/should study for them until this year when she took math, her worst subject) 670 Chem, 680 US History, 650 Math. She just got back her ACT score and received a 30 composite. </p>

<p>While her SAT I scores are better than her ACT scores, her ACT score is better than her SAT IIs…do we just submit all of her scores and trust they will use the highest, or not send her SAT subject tests at all?</p>

<p>She’s considering applying ED to a very competitive school. Although her test scores are high enough to be in the “consideration” group, it’s her ECs that make her stand out.</p>

<p>Any advice, insight would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>^ If the school allows score choice, I think I would consider sending in the ACT (assuming she took it with Writing) in lieu of the SAT subject tests. And then JUST the SAT, if permitted.
If no score choice allowed at all, including subject tests, then just the ACT. Also maybe consider retaking the ACT, since there is no score choice involved and you can pick which one to send – no risk, even if score should go down.</p>