Let's talk ACT/SAT equivalence

So, counselors at my school have been talking up the ACT lately, but a lot of colleges still seem hooked on the SAT. What's the conversion like between the two test scores? Is there a need for me to take both?

ACT and SAT are indeed both popular college entrance exams, and while they differ somewhat in their format, they are broadly equivalent in terms of the skills they aim to assess. Understanding the relationship between the two can allow you to strategically choose which one to take.

In terms of the scoring, the ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36, while the SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600. To convert between the two, students often use a concordance table that provides an estimated equivalent for each score on the different exams. For example, an ACT score of 30 approximately equates to an SAT score of 1360.

Regarding the question of whether you need to take both tests, the short answer is no. Most universities in the United States accept both ACT and SAT scores, and they do not have a preference for one over the other. However, keep in mind that certain schools have different testing policies. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, schools like Dartmouth, Harvard, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech are requiring all applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score, while other schools, including Columbia, Princeton, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Johns Hopkins, NYU, and University of Chicago (UChicago), are remaining test-optional.

Thus, it's a good idea to review the admissions requirements for the specific universities you're interested in. Your decision about which test to take should be based on your personal strengths and the distinct attributes of the tests. The SAT focuses more on reasoning skills while the ACT focuses more on straightforward knowledge and understanding. Also, keep in mind that beginning in Spring 2024, the SAT is fully digital, having a different structure than the previous pencil-paper SAT.

Taking both tests could be beneficial if you believe you could perform significantly better on one — but consider the time commitment that comes with preparing for and taking each test. Practice tests for both exams are readily available and taking a practice version of each could be a great way to help you decide which one suits you best.