<p>Each school may have a different score conversion method. That may give you an impression of valuing more on one test or the other. The is mainly due to the different emphasis on different sections. This site shows a break down way of score conversions:
[Instantly</a> Compare SAT and ACT Scores | © 2013](<a href=“http://convertyourscore.org/]Instantly”>http://convertyourscore.org/)</p>
<p>@Bubinski
Unfortunately I share your cynicism. I’m pretty sure all colleges could care about are their rankings in U.S News etc, so higher scores is obv one way to do it.</p>
<p>The science section is a joke and doesn’t test any knowledge of science.</p>
<p>And the premise behind the reading section is that a quick reader = a competent reader. I always read super slow, so that section was a nightmare for me; I even felt time crunched on the SAT reading sections. For reference I got a 30 on ACT reading (33 overall) and 800 on SAT reading (2330 overall).</p>
<p>With regards to content tested, it’s an almost undisputed fact that the ACT tests KNOWLEDGE over REASONING ABILITIES. That said, it is my opinion (which is probably going to end up being relatively controversial) that people who are naturally smarter will prefer the SAT over the ACT. I feel that the bell curve for the distribution of scores for the SAT is taller and narrower than that of the ACT. Basically I feel that it’s easier for average people to get higher scores on the ACT, and it is easier for higher-scorers to achieve even higher (near perfect) scores on the SAT. For example, if person X is naturally able to get a 2150-2200+ on the SAT without studying, he or she would be better off studying for and then taking the SAT. On the other hand, if person Y scores in the 1600-1800 range without studying, then he or she would be better off studying for and then taking the ACT.</p>
<p>Despite this, I find it quite counter-intuitive that the test designed to be less knowledge based tests vocabulary whereas its knowledge based counterpart does not.</p>