What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Should I take the SAT or ACT? Which one is more preferred by colleges?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior who's trying to decide whether to take the SAT or ACT. I've heard that some colleges prefer one test over the other, but I'm not sure if that's true. Can anyone here provide some insight into which test might be more beneficial for college admissions? Thanks in advance for your help!

a year ago

Hi there! It's great that you're thinking ahead and planning for college admissions. When my child was in your position, we faced a similar dilemma. The truth is, colleges in the United States generally accept both the SAT and ACT, and they don't prefer one over the other. It's more about which test is better suited to your skills and test-taking style. The SAT is more focused on reasoning and critical thinking, while the ACT is more straightforward and content-based. The ACT also has a science section, which the SAT does not. I'd recommend taking a practice test for both the SAT and ACT to see which one you feel more comfortable with and perform better on. Ultimately, it's about showcasing your strengths and choosing the test that will allow you to do that. Good luck with your decision and your college admissions journey!

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.