Hey, I need some advice. I've done pretty well on both the SAT and the ACT, but I'm not sure how to compare my scores. Is there a reliable SAT and ACT score comparison method out there?
Sure, this is a commonly asked question. When it comes to comparing SAT and ACT scores, most colleges accept both tests and they don't prefer one over the other. To help students and schools compare these scores, there are concordance tables developed by the testing organizations themselves, College Board (which oversees the SAT) and ACT.
The concordance tables look at the percentile of scores. For instance, if your SAT score is 1500, you can look it up in the table and you'll find the equivalent ACT score by matching the percentile.
It's important to note these tables are just guidelines and may not be perfect, but they do provide a clear way to compare your scores on a broad scale. Also, the exact equivalencies might vary between different universities.
Lastly, if you are ambivalent about submitting either the SAT or ACT, consider other factors like which test you felt more comfortable with or whether your score in one test might look stronger given the known preferences or score ranges for the schools you're applying to.
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.