I took both the SAT and ACT recently, and I'm struggling to figure out which test went better for me. Is there a reliable way to compare my scores from these two tests like a concordance table or something? Would appreciate any insights!
Absolutely! To compare your SAT and ACT scores, you can use a concordance table. The College Board and ACT released a joint concordance table which allows you to convert your scores from one test to the other. Keep in mind that these tables provide an approximation, not an exact conversion, since the two tests measure slightly different skills. Here's a quick rundown of the process:
1. Find your SAT total score and your ACT composite score in the concordance table.
2. Locate the corresponding score(s) in the other test's column.
3. If you find that your scores in each column are similar or in the same range, then you likely performed similarly on both tests. If one score is considerably higher than the other, you might have done better on that particular test.
Here's an example to give you an idea:
Let's say you scored a 1360 on the SAT and a 30 on the ACT. According to the concordance table, a 1360 on the SAT corresponds to an ACT score range of 29-30. Since your ACT score falls within this range, it means you did roughly the same on both tests.
Remember to check the admissions requirements and preferences of the colleges you're interested in, as some schools might prefer one test over the other. Additionally, you should consider how well you feel each test reflects your abilities and whether you had any testing-day issues that might have affected your performance on one test more than the other.
Ultimately, the choice of which test to submit depends on your personal preference, the schools you're applying to, and how well the scores align with your overall application profile. Good luck!
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