SAT vs ACT — which should my student take?

Most colleges that accept test scores will accept either the SAT or the ACT. In many cases, schools do not prefer one over the other.

A good next step is simple. Have your student look at the testing policies for the colleges on their list, then try a timed practice SAT and a timed practice ACT. The score comparison, along with how each test felt, can make the decision clearer.

Some students also apply test optional, which means a college allows students to apply without sending SAT or ACT scores. But test optional does not mean test blind. Test blind means a college will not consider scores even if a student sends them. Policies vary by school and can change, so families should always check each college directly.

The SAT and ACT both measure college readiness, but they are not identical. The SAT is often seen as a little more focused on reasoning and problem solving. The ACT moves quickly and includes a science section, although that section is really about reading graphs, data, and experiments, not memorizing science facts.

What matters most is fit.

• If your student works carefully and prefers a little more time per question, the SAT may feel more comfortable.
• If your student is fast, steady under time pressure, and comfortable reading charts and tables, the ACT may feel better.
• If English is not your student’s first language, timing and reading speed may matter as much as content.
• If your student already has a strong Grade Point Average, or GPA, they may not need to force a test if their colleges are test optional.

Families do not need to guess. One practice test of each type can save time, stress, and money. It can also help you decide whether preparing for one exam is worth it, or whether your student should focus more on grades, course selection, activities, and the rest of the application.

If your student plans to apply through Early Action, or EA, or Early Decision, or ED, planning matters even more. Those deadlines come earlier in senior year, so test dates and score release timing can affect the application calendar.

An Independent Educational Consultant, or IEC, does not choose for your family, and cannot guarantee a result. But a good IEC can help your student make a smart, realistic plan.

An IEC may help with:

• building a college list and checking which schools are test required, test optional, or test blind
• creating a testing timeline that fits schoolwork, activities, and application deadlines
• helping a student decide whether to send scores or apply without them
• suggesting where the student may need support, such as time management, practice planning, or understanding US admissions steps

This can be especially helpful for families who are new to the US system and are also learning terms like the Common Application, or Common App, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and the CSS Profile, which some colleges use to award their own financial aid.

BrightPath Admissions is not a counselor or admissions office. We share educational information and offer free matching to independent counselors. If you want help finding someone who speaks your language or understands your family’s situation, you can get matched at no cost.

Not sure whether your student even needs a counselor? Read what independent counselors do or explore our college admissions guides.