Want to increase your college admissions options but cut down on stress? Learn why taking both the SAT and ACT exams is a smart choice.
1. You’ll Give More Information to the Admissions Committee
Princeton University’s dean of admissions is on record as saying:
“…more information is always better. If students choose one or the other, that’s fine, because both tests have value. But if they submit both, that generally gives us a little more information.”
Related Blog Post: Preparing for the ACT 2021
| School | % frosh enrolled in fall 2016 that submitted ACT AND SAT scores |
|---|---|
| Stanford University | 31% |
| Harvard College | 16% |
| Yale University | 19% |
| Princeton University | 18% |
| MIT | 26% |
| University of Chicago | 16% |
| Cal Tech | 28% |
That said, most colleges require EITHER the SAT exam or ACT, and many offer score choice, allowing you to report only your best scores on either exam.
Related Blog Post: Why You Should Always Attempt Mock Tests Before Taking SAT
2. You Can Prep More Efficiently
You’re applying to competitive schools and crafting a stellar college application —which means you’ll likely end up taking the SAT or ACT more than once to get the scores you want. If you start by taking both tests, you’ll be able make an informed decision about which one best displays your strengths, and work on raising those scores.
Related Blog Post: ACT Prep Guide
3. You Can Cut Down on Stress!
Knowing you have more than one option will lower your stress level—helping you perform better on test day.
Related Blog Post: Last Minute Preparation Tips to Ace the SAT Exam
4. You Might Cut Down the Number of Tests You Need to Take
Some schools require applicants to submit scores from EITHER the ACT OR the SAT plus 2 to 3 SAT Subject tests. If you plan to take the SAT, taking the ACT too will cover you just in case something goes wrong on one of the SAT Subject tests.
5. You’ll Have More Options
Considering both tests gives you a lot more flexibility when it comes to choosing test dates.
What’s the downside? More time and more cost in prep. You’ll need to invest time to get into your reach schools, but we’ll make sure you prep efficiently, and we have excellent options to help you prep for both cost-effectively.
Source: The Princeton Review
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