SAT vs. ACT: Which One Should You Take?

As you've progressed through high school, you've probably heard a lot about the SAT and ACT. You may be wondering if it would be better for you to take one over the other, or maybe you should just bite the bullet and take both. What's all the fuss about these tests anyway?

The History of the SAT and ACT

Although it seems like these tests have been around since the beginning of time, their origins can be found at the beginning of the last century. The SAT, otherwise known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, was developed in the early 1900s. The test was originally designed as a way to provide underprivileged students with the means to attend college. As time went on, it was picked up by an increasing number of universities in the Northeast as a way of measuring a student's intelligence.

Conversely, the ACT, or American College Test, came about in the 1950s to serve two purposes: to help students decide which university to attend and to instruct universities on the best ways to teach their students. While the SAT was popular in the Northeast, the ACT was favored by universities in the South and Midwest.

The SAT and ACT Today: About More Than Just Geography

While in the past which test you took was more a matter of your location than anything else, today most universities insist that they don't prefer one test over the other. Where does that leave you then? Do you just flip a coin and hope it leads you in the right direction? Instead, why not consider which test would present your abilities in the best light.

The SAT and ACT are different in more than just name. The SAT generally relies on your reasoning skills and logic, whereas the ACT provides a direct indication of what you've learned while in school. If this doesn't help you make up your mind, consider your personality. Does the thought of a time-consuming test make you feel uneasy? If so, you may be better off taking the ACT. The SAT generally takes around five hours to complete, whereas the ACT takes almost half the time. If cost is also a consideration, registering for the SAT will run you around $50, whereas the ACT is around $29.

If you're still completely clueless as to which test to choose, you have the opportunity to take the PSAT or PLAN, the SAT and ACT counterparts, during your sophomore year of high school. These act as practice tests for the SAT and ACT and will give you a good indication of how you will perform on the "real thing."

Still, there's no law against taking both tests, so go ahead if you feel so inclined. As universities become more competitive, some students opt to take both tests, but only send their prospective colleges the scores for the tests on which they performed best. As a matter of fact, many educators are now recommending that students take both tests in the spring of their junior year, then retake the one with the higher score during the fall of their senior year.

Ready to get started? Make note of the upcoming test deadlines below. Good luck!

ACT Registration Dates

SAT Registration Dates