which should I send in, SAT or ACT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Just got my scores back for the ACT a couple of minutes ago. Unfortunately, I don't know what is a good or bad score (even though I suspect I did badly on the mathematics section). </p>

<p>My ACT score:</p>

<p>Composite: 31
English: 34
Mathematics: 26
Reading: 34
Science: 31
Eng/Wri: 31
(I think you can tell that writing and reading are my strong-points)</p>

<p>Alternatively, My SAT score is:</p>

<p>Composite: 2040
Reading: 690
Math: 650
Writing: 700</p>

<p>I think that I did worse on the mathematics section on both of the tests due to me not taking some of the courses they were testing me on. I also didn't have time to study for either of the tests, since exams were coming around and I had to study for them (I got in one practice test for the SAT the night before, just showed up at the ACT testing site, totally unprepared).</p>

<p>So, if I had a choice as to which one to submit to colleges, which of these would make me a stronger applicant? I'm applying to NYU, UF, Harvard, Stanford, UCLA and B, and maybe JHU (hopeful pre-med). </p>

2

<p>First some data, then a somewhat convoluted answer to your question:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.act.org/solutions/college-career-readiness/compare-act-sat/”>http://www.act.org/solutions/college-career-readiness/compare-act-sat/&lt;/a&gt;
(Chart comparing ACT vs. SAT: CR+M)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html”>http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html&lt;/a&gt;
(Chart comparing ACT vs. SAT: CR+M+W)</p>

<p>What you will note is the 31 is slightly better than your SAT if you only look at the Reading and Math sections, and the same as your SAT if you look at all three sections.</p>

<p>If you consider the (relative) weakness of your math score, I think both tests tell the same story. </p>

<p>Sending both scores won’t hurt at all, especially if your target school only considers the CR+M sections, as many do. However if your target school considers all three, you might CONSIDER only sending the ACT.</p>

<p>I put “consider” in all caps as I don’t think it will hurt you either way. Almost all schools look at the scores in the way that will be most beneficial to the applicant. If I were making the choice, I’d send both scores to each school I applied to.</p>

<p>Now for the reality check. While those scores are certainly very respectable, they will make some of the more lofty schools on your list most likely out of reach. For Harvard, Stanford, and JHU the math score alone pretty much makes things a non-starter. Many of the other schools could still be considered a “reach” with a couple of good “matches” thrown in.</p>

<p>If you have time to work on pulling up that math score and re-taking, I would strongly suggest you do so. In my opinion Math is the easiest thing to pull up. Once you learn the concepts, you CAN score better.</p>

3

<p>Thanks man, helps.</p>