<p>I live in Massachusetts but am looking to apply on the west coast, ie Cal Berkeley, UCLA, Pomona. I know these schools prefer the ACT but my SAT is a 2310, 800 Reading, 740 Math, 770 Writing. I don't want to waste my time worrying about a test I might not need to take. Any advice?</p>
<p>Are you sure they “prefer” ACT? Your SAT is awesome. I wouldn’t worry about ACT. They all take ACT or SAT. have you taken any SAT subject tests yet? That’s probably a better choice for you.</p>
<p>Those schools are accustomed to getting the SAT. The ACT is not typical for these schools. Nearly everyone in CA takes SAT. Your SAT scores are sufficient for any school, 1540 is about as as good as it gets. You know that the UC’s take relatively few OOS, although they have been increasing slots for full pay OOS to try to help the severe budget cuts. UC’s have decreasing course options and increasing class sizes.</p>
<p>That is not true, Cal Poly SLO prefers the ACT and UC’s view it as an equal to the SAT. Anyways, your SAT is above average for UCB and UCLA. A person with a 2310 shouldn’t even consider applying to Pamona.</p>
<p>Definitely not worth it unless you can’t get 700+ on subject tests (for the schools that require them and will accept ACT in lieu of subject tests). The SAT and ACT are pretty different, and I personally found it kind of difficult switching back and forth. For example, on the SAT, the “obvious” answer is almost never right, whereas on the ACT it is generally the opposite. This got confusing for me. You just have to learn a whole new test and strategies which really isn’t worth your time since a 2310 is incredible. </p>
<p>And more importantly, like BrownParent said, most people in California take the SAT. California is very similar to the Northeast. The ACT is mostly big in the midwest. Regardless, colleges tend to not care which you send; however, if california ones had to pick a preference I think it would be the SAT so you’re set anyway lol.</p>