Should My Child Take the SAT or ACT?

The short answer to this question is, “Yes.”

Your child should take both.

But he is probably going to like one test more than the other, and he will probably score higher on one test in comparison to the other. That’s because the two tests play to different sets of strengths.

Let me explain.

The common way to describe the difference between the two tests is as follows: the SAT has harder questions, but gives you more time. The ACT has easier questions, but gives you less time. The ACT also differs from the SAT because it has a science section.

The statements above are essentially true. If you are a strong student but work at a slower pace, the SAT is probably your best bet. If you can work quickly and you are good at science, (especially graphs and data analysis), you might do better on the ACT.

Sometimes, students don’t know which one they will prefer until they take both, which is why I always recommend that they try both. I recommend that students START by prepping for the SAT, however, because it tests a more limited skill set than the ACT (no science section on the SAT, remember?), and therefore tends to reward good prep more than the ACT. Furthermore, any prep that students do for the SAT translates well to the ACT. The same can’t be said for the ACT because of the science section.

Plus, that science section is simply a beast. More of my students struggle on that than any other section of the SAT or ACT. As a student, I scored in the 99th percentile both times I took the ACT. Neither time, however, did I finish the science section. Current students report similar experiences.

So start with prepping for the SAT, but try both and decide which test plays to your strengths. Then, focus on that test and destroy it.

Questions? Reach out to me at tooheycollegeprep@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading.