Why SAT over ACT?

<p>I heard that ACT is a shorter test, has questions that are more straightforward, and in my experience when I took both a practice SAT test and a practice ACT test, I felt that the ACT was overall much easier, even when there were more questions in the same time period.</p>

<p>I was wondering why so many people still took the SAT. Is there a specific reason why people voluntarily choose to take the, in my opinion, harder test? A lot of my friends say the ACT is much easier yet they don't take it. </p>

<p>Does a SAT score hold more weight than an equivalent ACT score?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>SAT and ACT are weighed equally. Which one you take is a matter of personal preference. Some people suck at the SAT but excel at the ACT and vice-versa. There’s no real answer to choose one over the other. </p>

<p>I was just wondering what about the SAT attracted people more. There are more SAT prep classes, more SAT books, more SAT threads here on CC asking for help. I was wondering why the SAT (what I think is the harder test), has more appeal than the ACT. </p>

<p>From my perspective, the SAT was the easier test. It took me a while to get comfortable with the time limits on the ACT, but I always had plenty of time left at the end of the SAT sections. Plus, the vocab section was like free points for a Latin student. ;)</p>

<p>Also, the SAT used to be more popular, so I’m sure that has some effect on its current status. (People take the test that their friends and older siblings took.)</p>

<p>The SAT has been around longer. It was generally popular on the coasts while the ACT was the preferred test in the midwest. Some states use the ACT as their verification test for federal education requirements.</p>

<p>I found the SAT easier, actually. It’s generally said the ACT tests achievement (in high school courses) while the SAT tests aptitude. Some people are more adept at the reasoning processes the SAT tests while some are more adept at the curriculum the ACT focuses on.</p>