College Confidential - View Single Post - Are Tests REALLY Optional at Test-Optional Colleges?

Sally_Rubenstone · 07-13-2009, 12:53 PM

kathleen2010--In such cases, I advise students to submit the ACT and, if possible, a couple of SAT Subject Test scores, too, even if not submitting the SAT I results. At the most selective colleges, you will be "competing" with applicants who have taken--and scored well on--a whole barrage of Subject Tests and who can thus showcase strengths in areas outside of those covered by the ACT or SAT I (foreign language, physics, history, etc.).

So my advice is this: If a college will allow the ACT score to place BOTH the SAT I and the SAT II, and if all your SAT results are mediocre but your ACT is stronger, then send just the ACT. But if you can combine a good ACT with some good Subject Tests, then that's the way to go.

07-13-2009, 12:53 PM	#13
Sally_Rubenstone CC Senior Advisor Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 817	kathleen2010--In such cases, I advise students to submit the ACT and, if possible, a couple of SAT Subject Test scores, too, even if not submitting the SAT I results. At the most selective colleges, you will be "competing" with applicants who have taken--and scored well on--a whole barrage of Subject Tests and who can thus showcase strengths in areas outside of those covered by the ACT or SAT I (foreign language, physics, history, etc.). So my advice is this: If a college will allow the ACT score to place BOTH the SAT I and the SAT II, and if all your SAT results are mediocre but your ACT is stronger, then send just the ACT. But if you can combine a good ACT with some good Subject Tests, then that's the way to go.
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