<p>So, is it true that I'd have higher chance of getting into most selective schools (ex.Columbia, UPenn, Harvard) if I take SAT instead of ACT? Or are these exams treated equally? (I once remember my friend saying that it's harder to get in with not-so-perfect (33ish) ACT scores) </p>
<p>Please help!</p>
<p>They claim that the SAT and ACT are treated equally. I’m not aware of any non-anecdotal evidence to the contrary, so I believe they are telling the truth.</p>
<p>A 2400 on the SAT is better than a 36 on the ACT (because the ACT is averaged, whereas the SAT is added). Other than that, they are on an equal playing ground.</p>
<p>i never took the act</p>
<p>Yes, silverturtle, but only less than 1/10th of ACT test takers achieve a 36 and an even smaller percentage achieve the 144 total score. When in doubt, take them both.</p>
<p>I’ve been studying for the SAT for about six months now and I only get about 1900s on my practice SATs…But,I get about 34-35 on my practice ACTs, so should I just take the ACTs?</p>
<p>The rumor that a 2400 is better than a 36:
300ish single-sitting 2400s (can’t remember the exact numbers).
500ish single-sitting 36s.</p>
<p>Clearly easier, no? 500 vs. 300. Yet, consider that most people who get a 2400 don’t get it in a single-sitting. These stats, however, are never published (but if you have a shred of logic, you cannot deny that). Also, a 2400 doesn’t mean you answered question correctly, just as a 36 doesn’t mean the same.</p>
<p>A single-sitting 2400 is more rare than a 36 (slightly, as 100k+ more students take the ACT). However, a 2400 is not. </p>
<p>In conclusion:
If there is any difference between the perfect scores, it is ridiculously minimal. Stop caring so much about which perfect score people get… a perfect score is great. Feel proud if you get one, and you’ll live if you don’t. Just enjoy yourself. Stress yourselves out less.</p>
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<p>Except for the adcoms just…don’t… care. </p>
<p>btw: the SAT is superscored, so it’s probably a wash for a 35.5 ACT…</p>
<p>Janey: YES!</p>
<p>By the way, I meant to say less than 1/10th of 1%. Sorry.</p>
<p>Why would colleges say they don’t make a distinction if they did? It doesn’t make sense to me. If they preferred one test over the other, it would be in their best interests to relay that information their applicants.</p>
<p>It may be so that some universities (on the East Coast and in the South) may be more familiar with the conventions of the SAT whereas others (Midwestern and some West Coast) may be more familiar with the conventions of the ACT. That doesn’t translate into preference.</p>
<p>If a college says they don’t have a preference, they likely actually don’t have a preference, and you can take whichever test you are likely to do better on.</p>