Although it’s technically still the summer, many high school students (and parents) are feeling anxiety about taking the SAT and/or ACT exams this month. There’s a lot of bad information out there on this topic. Below are answers to 5 popular questions:
- Should I take the SAT or ACT? We strongly recommend taking both exams multiple times if possible. Most schools accept both and students may decide which scores to send to colleges.
- Why don’t my college advisors know much about the ACT? The SAT is far more popular in the northeast and California while the ACT rules in middle America. This is the first year the ACT will surpass the SAT in total tests taken.
- If I had to choose one, why take the ACT? Vocabulary is less important, math counts for about 25% of the score and there is no penalty for a wrong guess.
- If I had to choose one, why take the SAT? Math accounts for about 33% of the score and there are no science or trigonometry questions.
- When should I take these exams? We suggest practicing as a freshman and taking the first exams offered as a sophomore to get scores back early, find weak spots and have time to taken them again.