<p>I got a 1970 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT (both were single sittings). I know they're both pretty much equal in number, but if I send both, will admission officers think, "Oh wonderful, he tried both of these tests and did pretty decent in both."? Or will they just completely throw away the one they think is worse? I worked hard on both, so I'm hoping they'll recognize that.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, I will retake both the SAT and ACT later on this year, but I was just wondering how admissions officers make use of my scores.</p>
<p>I'm applying to some top universities and UCs by the way.</p>
<p>No they will not do any such thing. They look at everything holistically.</p>
<p>On a side note regarding your scores, they are alright for UCs but for top universities such as Ivies, you’re going to have to pull at least 2200, a 2100 at the least.</p>
<p>Usually, what happens is that colleges make a note of your top scores somewhere in their own forms. They used to convert all ACTs to SATs (though I’m not sure if they still do). In any case, adcoms will mostly look at their own record of your top scores, rather than at the score reports themselves. They are also not going to be super-impressed by the fact that you took both and did about the same on both. After all, they EXPECT you to do about the same on both: that’s the point of the ACT/SAT conversion tables, right? :)</p>
<p>I’d suggest that you focus on one or the other rather than continuing to study for both.</p>
<p>“you’re going to have to pull at least 2200, a 2100 at the least.”</p>
<p>what? coherence is important too.</p>
<p>@TRUFFLIEPUFF thank you. I am currently working this summer to improve my score to at least 2100+</p>
<p>@sesamewords and others, what do you think I should study more of? SAT or ACT? This is how I did on each:</p>
<p>SAT 1970
CR: 580
M: 720
W: 670</p>
<p>ACT 29
English: 30
Math: 28
Reading: 27
Science: 29
Opt. Writing: 28</p>
<p>I would pick SAT. just get more practice on the CR questions and look over some SAT vocab each day. for math, you are pretty much all set, but since it all has to do with logic and each problem is doable if you take the time to figure it out, you should be able to get closer to 800 with more practice. for writing, don’t worry too much about the essays, focus on the MC section. know how to pick out the little details and things wrong with the sentences, etc… they are simple grammar mistakes. ex: the cat and dog jumps over the bridge… WRONG… the cat and dog jump over the bridge… YAY!</p>
<p>I would actually go with the ACT seeing as how you have a large amount of room to improve in the two “easier sections” (English and Math). Try to aim for perfects or near perfects in both those sections to get your composite up.</p>