Dear Lee,
I was at your talk at the HOME meeting this year and really appreciated your help. I especially appreciated the grid you gave us to use for high school requirements. It was the most complete and easy to use that I have seen yet. Do you have a recommendation as to whether a child should take the SAT or ACT for college entrance? Is the ACT as universally accepted by colleges as the SAT is?
Thanks
Lianne
Dear Lianne,
Both tests are usually accepted by every college. Some colleges prefer one test over the other. For example, the University of Washington strongly prefers the ACT test. Even colleges that have a strong preference will still usually allow the other test. For example, the University of Washington will accept the SAT test, but wants some documentation of science since the SAT doesn’t include a science portion. Go with what the college wants, whenever you can.
If you don’t know what college you will apply to (and most don’t, when they are just a junior!) then choose the test that is best for YOUR child. Give them a sample SAT and a sample ACT (often available online) and see which one they scores best with. 1/3 score better on one test than the other, so you can really make your child look “smarter” if you choose the test they will score best in.
For more information, you can get my “High School Testing” on audio, which goes over each test in detail. I hope that helps!
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Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
Nathania says:
I took both when I was in high school! If you have both scores, then you’re set!
September 25th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Lois says:
Lee, how do you compare the scores of one with the scores of the other? My daughter took practice tests of both. On the ACT her composite was 19, and the SAT her combined reading/math was 1090. She is a soph. But how do I know which test she did better in, since the scores are so different?
June 7th, 2011 at 5:35 am
Lee says:
There are some SAT ACT score Comparison charts online. I wasn’t able to quickly find one, and the chart I have is password protected for the Gold Care Club, so I can’t actually show it to you. I did look up the scores, for you, though. An ACT of 19 is equivalent to the SAT score of 900-930. Although girls often score better on the ACT, it may not be the case for your daughter. It looks like she scores better on the SAT. If you can have her study over summer, she’ll get the best possible score on the PSAT this coming October.
Blessings,
Lee
June 7th, 2011 at 5:47 am