Which one is better...

Test Preparation
1

<p>so if I send both the SAT and ACT scores into a college, they’ll simply take the highest one, right?</p>

<p>also, how long after a test does it take for colleges to receive scores?</p>

2

<p>Yup, they’ll take whichever is highest. I would guess that it takes about (give or take) 5, maybe 6 weeks from the testing date for your scores to actually get to the colleges. You can generally see them online in 3 or 4 weeks, but I don’t know how much longer after that it takes for them to get to the colleges. It’s possible (assuming you sent the scores to the colleges right away, this is) that the college gets your scores when you do, since I assume the college board sends them electronically. That’s kind of a wishy washy answer, but it’s the best I can do. </p>

<p>Update: Actually, I just checked collegeboard’s website: it says that October and November scores are sent by 2-day priority, automatically. So that’s in the 3 to 4 week territory. Scores sent afterwards (the ones you pay for) take 5 weeks, according to their website. Hope that helps!</p>

3

<p>yay, that helps a ton. so as long as i pay for all of them ahead of time, they’ll be “priority”?</p>

4

<p>Most colleges report that there is no advantage in “rushing” scores, if that is what you are asking about. Check each college’s Web site for what SAT or ACT month is timely for early action/early decision (typically October, but sometimes even November) and what month is timely for regular decision (usually December). Harvard, for instance, </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/electronic_resources/viewbook/Rollo0708_GuideApplying.pdf[/url]”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/electronic_resources/viewbook/Rollo0708_GuideApplying.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>notes that rush scoring is not necessary and that the first test date of 2008 is timely for its new single-deadline admission cycle (also noting that the February 2008 ACT will not be offered in New York). The Harvard viewbook further says, </p>

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<p>Your main question in the original post is a question about whether the ACT or the SAT is the preferred test at some colleges, and I am looking at college Web sites for policy statements about that, so far not finding any conspicuous examples of colleges that have a stated preference. You have to score high on one of those tests to maximize your chances at the most competitive colleges, but test scores are not the only element of a successful application. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

5

<p>tokenadult: thanks so much, that was quite helpful. I think I will just take both and know that they’ll take whichever one is highest.</p>