Consider the Revised SAT, ACT for Test Success

One of the most common descisions you face as a high school sophomore, junior or senior is whether to take the SAT or ACT. Although the colleges you are applying to may play a role in determining which test to register for, you should also consider your strengths as a student and test-taker when deciding which standardized exam to prepare for and take.

Because both the SAT and ACT have experienced revisions in recent years, old analyses of "Should I take the SAT or ACT?" may not have much validity.

For instance, the new SAT has added a “no calculator” section, returned to its original scoring scale of 1600 and eliminated the guessing penalty. Moreover, the updated ACThas made changes to its scoring – such as now providing a STEM score for the science and math sections, and an English language score – as well as significant changes to its writing portion.

To conduct a new and thorough analysis, follow these three suggestions.

• Reconsider content-based decisions: Recent SAT and ACT revisions have resulted in important changes to the content that each test assesses. As a result, consider re-evaluating any content-based decisions you may have made based on the exams' previous versions.

If you struggle with science, for instance, you may have initially chosen the SAT because it doesn't have a science section. While the redesigned SAT still lacks a dedicated science portion, the evidence-based reading and writing section now contains passages that examine scientific topics.

Similarly, if the arcane vocabulary that the SAT previously used prompted you to favor the ACT, note that the College Board – the organization behind the SAT – has made vocabulary on the redesigned SAT more modern and relevant to high school students. The exam also places a greater emphasis on deducing the meaning of a particular word from the surrounding context, rather than simply memorizing its definition. This can ultimately help you develop stronger comprehension skills and focus more on the big picture, rather than just relying on rote memorization of specific details.

• Evaluate question types: Not only do the SAT and ACT test slightly different sets of knowledge, they also use subtly different types of questions. It is thus crucial to assess and recognize your own strengths and weaknesses as a test-taker and then choose the exam with questions that best play to your strengths.

The optional writing section on both tests is a great illustration of this principle. If you tend to do well when asked to elaborate on a single passage or topic, the redesigned SAT may be preferable to you. Its 50-minute essay section presents a passage and asks you to analyze how the author builds and supports a particular argument.

If, on the other hand, you do well when comparing and contrasting multiple passages or viewpoints, the ACT may be more in line with your skill set. Its 40-minute section provides you with three different perspectives on one issue and asks you to evaluate those opinions as well as develop your own stance and explain how it relates to the other viewpoints.

• Weigh your prior preparation: If you have been studying for the SAT or ACT for some time, then you have likely been preparing at least in part for the exam's prior version.

​While there are rare instances when you may have good reason to switch from one test to the other – for example, you have focused primarily on one content area that is being replaced and determine that the other exam better suits your strengths and weaknesses – remaining with the test you have prepared for is typically the best option. The exams are changing, but they are not changing so much that preparation for one would now make more sense than for the other.

The recent revisions to the SAT and ACT may alter your original assessment of the exams. When deciding which exam to take and submit to colleges, factor in the redesigned elements of both tests, in addition to your strengths and weaknesses, before you make your final decision.

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