ACT vs. SAT: Continuing Cancellations
Last month, we published a post about why, if possible, your student should still take the SAT. Even with continuing test center closures all over the country, and the decision of many schools to go test-optional for this admissions cycle, standardized testing is still a vital part of applying to college.
That being said, many parents often ask: which test should my child take – the SAT or the ACT?
First of all, colleges do not prefer one over the other. Rather, where you live may have more of an effect on which test your student chooses to take, based on released statistics from the College Board. For example, those who live on the coasts, such as California, New York, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, etc., seem to “prefer” the SAT. However, those who reside in the center of the country – Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan – prefer the ACT.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies have now greatly complicated the standardized testing process for 2020 and likely years to come. The New York Times recently published an article about further Coronavirus-related complications of this year’s admissions cycle, which also mentioned the cancellation of the September ACT for many additional students due to the wildfires on the West Coast. Over 500 ACT testing locations were closed, some of which on very short notice. Many say a similar fate could be in store of those taking the SAT.
So why should your student still try to go through all of the trouble of taking either of these tests?
Although many top colleges have gone test-optional, meaning many students won’t submit their scores, students who do submit their scores will have a better chance of admissions than someone missing that component of their application.
Colleges don’t just use test scores to evaluate their applicants, they are also factored into their national rankings.
While colleges have established a baseline of leniency and understanding this year, they will still have their attention held by those students who manage to adapt and determine, enough to both take and perform well on either the SAT or ACT. In other words, if you can, you should.
With continued cancellations and uncertainty, one silver lining is that there are two kinds of standardized tests that a student can take, even if you live in a state that seems to favor one over another. If your student has the opportunity to prepare for and take either one, then they should. Both tests are equal in the eyes of an admissions officer, and scores from either will be given preference over applicants without any (at many, albeit not all schools).
Preparation is still key! For more information on both our SAT and ACT tutoring and practice tests, reach out to a member of the Ivy Link team to get started as soon as possible.
