Does the SAT make a bigger difference than the ACT? Or vis-versaAnswered
While in high school and getting ready to take your final exams, how will I know which test is best fit for me and will make the biggest difference? My SAT is only slightly better than my ACT but I do not know whether I should try to get better at either or. I was also curious if the tests even make a big difference when applying to college. Is it just the big schools that care?
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3 answers
The correct answer is that all colleges are agnostic as to whether you submit an ACT score or SAT score. They only ask for 1 of these and they do not care which one you submit. There is no benefit to submitting both an ACT and a SAT score. Even if you submit a 36 and a 1600, it doesn't mean you are more qualified to attend than just submitting a 36 alone or a 1600 alone.
If your SAT score is a higher percentile % score concordance versus your ACT percentile score, then you should only submit your SAT score. So lets say you have a 1490 SAT and 33 ACT, then just submit the 1490 since the 33 ACT is equivalent to a 1450-1480.
I hope that answer your questions and clears things up for you.
Good luck.
Standardized tests don't make much of a difference. Since many universities are test-optional, the only people who'll willingly be sending their scores will be those in the top 5-10 percentiles. This has made admissions very competitive compared to the pre-COVID times. I got 1520 but wasn't accepted into a university with 75th percentile SAT 1470. So, the big schools don't really care.
However, your SAT score can be a huge factor while you're applying to safeties.
If you want to know which test is better for you, then just take both at home(Timed) and just go with the one that feels easier and that you scored higher on
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Nope, no difference