SAT/ACT Dual Test-taking: Advantages vs. Disadvantages

Test Preparation
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<p>First, I hope that I don't sound obnoxious asking this question, but I feel that CC is sufficiently tolerant and (to say the least) test score-oriented to respond to this without flaming. To forestall any possible trouble (it seems to be a pernicious problem on other threads), this is NOT a vehicle for me to brag about scores or anything.</p>

<p>I am curious about whether I should sign up for ACT as well. I have heard that some colleges implicitly prefer SAT over ACT, but it is the reverse that concerns me.</p>

<p>Do you think that just submitting a 2400 SAT score would be enough for all schools (in the testing department, obviously) or if some schools would prefer that I take the ACT as well? If I don't sustain a disadvantage relative to people who get 2400/36, I would obviously prefer to save the registration money and not waste another Saturday morning, but if there is anything significant to be gained by taking the ACT as well, I would be quite eager to do so. I am reasonably confident that I could get a 36 composite within one or two tries on it (though hopefully not overconfident), having gotten a 32 in 6th grade.</p>

<p>Opinions? Relevant anecdotes?</p>

<p>Perhaps we could generalize this into a thread about the advantages and disadvantages of taking both tests.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>P.S. I have 1.5 years before application crunch time, so thankfully I don't have to make the test planning decision immediately.</p>

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<p>I signed up for the September ACT along with the October SAT last year and ended up just using my SATs. I felt taking the ACT was a waste of time and I think the best strategy is to just focus on one and maximize your score. If you’re doing comparable on both, take the SAT. If most people in your region take the ACT, then take the ACT. If you’re doing much better on one than the other, then do that one. Sending both with high scores won’t be a huge deal since your score is already high.</p>

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<p>If you take both, just send the one you do best in.</p>

<p>I know of no school that prefers one over the other. </p>

<p>My younger son took the ACT only (no studying, taken to see if he did well enough as to not take the SAT at all). Did great in that it was compatible with GPA. Applied to 15 schools, mostly in the northeast where SAT’s are the norm. Accepted at all.</p>