I’ve done a bit of research and found that the ACT plays to my strengths more, and many universities allow the option of submitting either or. However, recently, a friend told me that the SAT “is important and I have to take it”. This confused me, and I told her that it was “either or”, but I was just wondering, is the ACT looked down upon compared to the SAT, or are they equal? And also, should I take the SAT, ACT, or both? I know that if I study hard enough, I can get good scores, but I would just like to know.
They are considered equally. For some schools, they recommend either the ACT with writing (one test) OR the SAT and two subject tests (3 tests). Many people took the ACT last year because of the changes being implemented with the SAT.
The only scenario in which the SAT is absolutely necessary is to get a confirming score for National Merit, assuming a high enough score is achieved on the PSAT.
Thank you both for replying! Also, if I would like to take the subject tests for the SATs, should I take the SAT as well? I know that for the testing dates, you either take the SAT, or up to 3 subject tests, but do people often take ACT and the SAT subject tests without the SAT I?
Forget about the SAT if you have already determined ACT is better for you. Your friend is wrong, and with all the changes to the new SAT this year, colleges are more comfortable with the ACT scoring, until they get used to the new scoring for SAT.
For SAT subject tests, take them if you feel you are strong in a particular subject. The subject tests are different and completely separate from the SAT, so feel free to take them as a subject proficiency test and stick with ACT as your main achievement test.
