Validity of SAT ACT Equilalence

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hey,
I am wondering if it is really true when colleges say that they take the SAT and ACT equally, in that they don’t have a preference in which test you submit. But from seniors that I know (I’m a Junior), the seniors who got great SAT scores good into better schools than other seniors with great ACT scores. So this make me wonder if schools really have no preference.</p>

<p>Also, do it hurt to take the ACT/SAT in the fall of senior year, or do colleges not like to see that?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Don’t forget that SAT and ACT scores only play a relatively small role in admissions.</p>

<p>Yes, schools do consider the SAT and ACT scores equally.</p>

3

<p>Just remember that SAT/ACT are both standardized tests. They each have a mean and a standard deviation. If the pool of test takers is assumed to be the same (which it may, or may not be), then they can be accurately compared.</p>

4

<p>All schools will accept either SAT or ACT. The SOLE exceptions are the Cal Polys which started stating they prefer the ACT four years ago. Taking the test in the fall of senior year is fine.</p>

5

<p>I speculate that Harvey Mudd might like the SAT more than the ACT. I read the statement they released, being the last well-known school to accept the ACT, and they noted that they would start taking the ACT to increase “diversity”. Not sure what they are implying by that.</p>

6

<p>You mean this? [HMC</a> Begins Accepting ACT Scores for Admission](<a href=“http://www.hmc.edu/newsandevents/ACT.html]HMC”>http://www.hmc.edu/newsandevents/ACT.html)

Doesn’t sound like dumbing down to me. I believe they saw their holdout as being deleterious for the school. As of 2010 more students took the ACT than the SAT. They were trying to maintain their standards/rankings with a smaller segment of the population.</p>