<p>I know that both the SAT and the ACT are tests accepted by almost all colleges ... but do colleges prefer one over the other? Everyone I have asked has told me that the ACT is far easier than the SAT. Also, because the SAT is taken by more students, people tell me that the SAT can better compare me with the other applicants. Some colleges also ask for SAT subject tests if the SAT is submitted. Anyone know why that is?</p>
<p>For the most part, they are considered equally. You should proceed under this assumption.</p>
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<p>No. Only very slightly more people take the SAT.</p>
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<p>Some schools require Subject Tests of all applicants, regardless of whether they send the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests show how well you have grasped specific material.</p>
<p>“Some colleges also ask for SAT subject tests if the SAT is submitted. Anyone know why that is?”</p>
<p>I also want to know why that is. A lot of schools want “SAT I + 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT.” Is it because they consider the Science section almost like a Subject Test? I don’t really see how they could…</p>
<p>silverturtle I’ve never seen that. What schools are you referring to? Sometimes I’ve seen schools that will look at the ACT writing score as equivalent to the SAT II Lit score, but I’ve never heard of ACT Science as a subject test. And considering how much of ACT science is information analysis and critical reading, I don’t see how it could substitute for a subject test. </p>
<p>Anyway pieman I always hear people arguing about this but from what I understand the scores are considered equally (colleges can just use a conversion chart that matches percentiles). However, a lot of people find it’s helpful to take both as they end up doing significantly better on one than the other.</p>
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<p>What specifically are you referring to?</p>
<p>“silverturtle I’ve never seen that.”</p>
<p>are you talking about schools that require Subject Tests with the ACT? there’s a lot of those. Columbia is one I know off the top of my head. Silverturtle didn’t suggest that schools look at Science as an SAT Subject Test. That was me trying to understand why some schools take ACT instead of SAT I AND IIs.</p>
<p>Sorry I meant to ask pieman. I’ve never seen a college that only asks for SAT subject tests if SAT is submitted. The colleges that I’ve seen that want SAT II’s want them regardless of whether or not you take SAT or ACT. </p>
<p>Sorry about the confusion.</p>
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<p>There are definitely some schools (e.g., Yale) that do not require Subject Tests is an applicant submits the ACT.</p>
<p>@irish
A handful of schools fit that category. Penn and BC I know from the top of my head.
[Compass:</a> Admissions Requirements](<a href=“SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations - Compass Education Group”>SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations - Compass Education Group)
the ones with *s are like that</p>
<p>@Silverturtle
Any idea why they do that? ACT =/= Subject Tests in really any way</p>
<p>Thanks Chicago. I agree with you, I can’t see how one could substitute for the other.</p>