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 ACT or SAT?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm trying to decide whether to take the ACT or SAT. I've heard that some colleges prefer one over the other, but I'm not sure if that's true. Can anyone provide some insight on this? Also, any tips on deciding which test is better suited for my strengths? Much appreciated!

a year ago

Hi there! It's great that you're thinking ahead about college admissions tests. To address your first concern, most colleges in the United States accept both the ACT and SAT, so you shouldn't worry too much about one being preferred over the other. The key is to choose the test that plays to your strengths and gives you the best chance to score well. Each test has a slightly different format and focus. The ACT includes sections on English, Math, Reading, and Science, while the SAT has sections on Reading, Writing and Language, and Math (with and without a calculator). The ACT has a more straightforward question style, whereas the SAT may require more analytical thinking in some sections. One way to determine which test is better suited for you is to take a practice test for both the ACT and SAT. This will not only give you a sense of the differences between the tests but also help you identify which one you feel more comfortable with. After taking the practice tests, you can compare your scores and decide which test to focus on. Good luck, and I hope this helps!

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.