The start of the school year is on the horizon. As students start preparing for another year of academic growth, extra-curricular activities, leadership roles, and new friendships, high school sophomores and juniors are faced with a big question: Should they plan to take the SAT or ACT? Here at TestRocker, we encourage all students to take both tests. There are many reasons for this, but below are our top 4 reasons why: Colleges accept both scores
All 4 year colleges accept both, SAT and ACT scores from their applicants. Submitting both scores will allow you to demonstrate the full extent of your abilities. The SAT and ACT score breakdown will give admissions officers insight into your academic ability in different skill areas. Assessing both scores (when available) helps colleges understand students better. In essence, the more scores schools see, the more they can use to inform their admissions decisions.
There is an overlap in subject matter
Despite a few differences in subject matter, preparing for one test will require you to review material that will be tested on the other test. Those preparing for the ACT can easily prepare for the SAT as well because the concepts are the same, except for the math and science sections. The SAT tests fewer topics in math and does not have a science section.
The SAT and ACT have the following content areas in common:
- Reading Passages
- Arithmetic operations
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Statistics
- Probability
- Grammar
- Essay
The SAT and ACT both require students to have a good grasp of high-school level content and solid test-taking skills.
Students taking both will have an edge in admissions
After preparing for and taking both tests at least once, students can then focus and continue preparing for the test they did better on. Students who attempt both tests are able to submit the higher score to schools they are planning to apply to.
Flexibility around test dates
Opting to take both tests allows students to have more flexibility around test dates. Students will have more test dates and options to choose from. The student can then plan around convenient test dates. Sometimes students can be so stressed around a particular test date that they do not do well. Additional flexibility helps students stay relaxed.
