Which of these standardized tests is viewed more highly in the eyes of college admissions officers? Should I study for both, or is it best to not split my attention and just focus on one or the other? I’ve been told that the SAT is getting outdated but I’m not sure what is true. If anyone who’s taken either or both of these tests could help me out I would really appreciate it!
P.S. Just some background, in case this helps: I’m stronger in the humanities and am mostly worried about the shorter time per problem on the ACT math section. However, I’ve heard that the math on the SAT is more challenging…
Check the Common Data Set (CDS) section C8 to see what your targeted schools say about the tests.
Colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Choose the one that you perform best on. (The SAT is getting outdated? what in the world? It has only been two years since the latest version began and they are still working out the kinks, I think) Be aware that College Board and ACT are planning to publish a new concordance table this summer; College Board’s 2016 concordance table is inaccurate.
There’s a “Recommend” box on the CDS line “SAT Subject Tests” that some schools check which might suggest a preference. Years ago there was an actual “Prefer” CDS line to let schools show their preference, if any.
So should I take two practice tests and study for the one I initially do best on? Or study for both and submit the highest-scoring test?