SAT vs. ACT Scores – How Do They Compare?

Anyone know how the SAT and ACT scores compare to each other? I took both tests and scores seem a lot higher for the ACT. How are they equated? Are colleges likely to consider one more favorably?

The SAT and ACT are indeed different exams with different scoring scales. The SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600, and the ACT score ranges from 1 to 36. While these scores might seem quite disparate, there are concussion tables published by both the College Board and the ACT that show how scores on one test translate to scores on the other.

Generally speaking, an ACT score of 36 aligns with an SAT score of around 1570-1600, an ACT score of 33 associates with about 1450-1490 on the SAT, and an ACT score of 27 approximates to an SAT score of 1280-1320.

Regarding their perceived favorability, it's essential to note that most colleges and universities in the United States accept both SAT and ACT scores and do not favor one over the other. They are aware of the scoring differences between these two tests and use these concordance tables appropriately to compare results from the two exams.

That being said, students often perform differently on these two exams due to their different formats and emphases. The SAT has a greater emphasis on reasoning and problem-solving skills, while the ACT tends to be more straightforward, with a section dedicated to science reasoning. Thus, a student's performance on one test over the other can reflect their strengths and weaknesses, making one test potentially more favorable for the student to take.

Remember to check your prospective colleges' testing requirements and policies. Some schools have gone test-optional or test-blind due to recent events, which means they might not require or even consider standardized test scores in their admissions process. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about the college admissions policies.