Which test should I take? I’m leaning toward ACT, but SAT is the most popular choice…why? Also can I take the test multiple time and submit my highest score? How many times can I take them? Do I submit how many times I took the test? Thanks!
ACT is actually more popular than SAT nationwide
I’m a rising senior.
You can take the SAT as many times as you want while the ACT allows you to take the test up to 12 times. However, you should never take the SAT and/or ACT more than 3 times.
-You can superscore the SAT where you take the highest subscores (CR, M, W) from the past tests you have taken and combine them for the highest possible score. For the ACT, you can only choose one specific test date that has your highest score. You cannot superscore the ACT.
-Example of Superscore: you have two SAT tests --> 1990 and 2250. On the 1800, you got: 630 CR, 660 M, and 700 W. On the 2200, you get 800 CR, 800 M, and 650 W. You can take the 700 W from your first SAT and the 800’s in Math and CR on the second SAT to create a superscore of 2300.
-Example of ACT Score Report Policy: You have a 27 and a 34 ACT scores. You can choose which score goes to which college. You can’t take the subscores from each test and create a new score.
-Colleges usually do not care which test you have taken, but you can always ask the schools you’re applying to if they have a preference for one or the other.
-I took the SAT once and got a 1760. I took the ACT twice and got a 26 and 32 on it. You can probably tell I felt the ACT was easier.
-In addition to taking these tests, you may want to take SAT Subject Tests (you can take some the week before AP Tests to get high scores). Some majors that you want to apply to may require these tests.
-Usually, you can report your scores from the testing website or you can fill your test scores out on the Common App.
-Remember, take some AP’s (and maybe IB’s if offered) at your HS and do some EC’s to get into good schools.
Hope this helps and good luck studying!