I am a sophomore and I am planning to begin taking standardized tests at the beginning of my junior year, so I can prep over the summer. I scored a 1300 on the PSAT w/o practice, but I am planning to prep this year. I am wondering whether to take the SAT or the ACT. I know one of the main differences is science, and I have taken chem and bio, and gotten As in both. I am good at writing essays, and I know my school does a good job of stressing writing. I will be going into BC my junior year, so math shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Which would you recommend? Or should I take both and compare?
Do come practice tests on both to decide. If affordable, I would suggest to do both. You never know which one would turn out better in the real tests, and in the eyes of adcom when they are similar.
Agree with @billcsho, but would go further and suggest doing a practice ACT test at home to a timer and see how you like it.
It’s not so much the material that is different, it is the test itself (though the SAT has become a little more ACT like over the last couple of years).
@2busy2 I self-studied for both tests and took each test twice. In my opinion, the ACT was a lot easier than the SAT content wise but you need to pay attention to the clock and have good test-taking strategies prepared. (I scored a lot higher on the ACT w/o superscore). But I agree with @billcsho and @collegemom3717, prepare and take both if you can afford it.
Colleges view them equally. If you have the time, take a practice test that is SAT and ACT and then decide which one suits you best. ACT is faster - more time imperative. Just practice either one a lot. Go for it. Best of luck!
Take practice tests and see which you like