I know that the ACTs and the SATs are both accepted by many colleges. They will look at your SAT scores and your ACT scores, and will take your highest one. I have seen people who took only ACTs get into UC Berkeley and UC San Diego. Personally, I did better on the ACT than on the SAT.

ACTs are more factual based, which includes math, reading, english, and science. There is no penalty for guessing.

On the other hand, SATs is more logic based, which includes math, critical reading, and writing. There are penalties for guessing.

So I say that you give both a try. If you cant afford to take a test, there should be financial aid to help you because every student deserves a chance. Talk to your counselor about “fee waiver” if you cant afford to take a test.

Well personally for me, the ACT was much easier. Even without prep, I got a score of 32/36. ACT is still not as well known, but to almost all colleges, ACT= SAT. There is no difference between the two tests. Also, the science portion for ACT barely requires you to have any knowledge of sciences. Most of it is showing you a lab and their results, and they ask you questions on it. (It’s basically like reading comprehension but with science.) Yes, the math does involve trig, so it’s best if you finish pre-calc first. And the grammar and reading comprehension is much easier for the ACT. Also, for the ACT you don’t get penalized for answering a question wrong. Rather, you gain points for every question you answer correctly. And the essay is optional (though i do recommend writing one since most colleges require it.) So I would suggest you take the ACT. but there is no harm in taking both the SAT and the ACT! I think you should take a practice SAT and ACT test. and see which one you do better in before you make a decision! 🙂

Colleges will not at both, you can take both or take one or the other. ACTs are no longer associated with students that go to community college, many students take it. Some states promote the ACT more than the SAT, though most lean towards the SAT. There are no college (at least none that I know of) that require the ACT. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to take it, if you take the SAT, the ACT would just be another way for colleges to identify your abilities.

ACT has become almost a standard on the west coast now. SAT is required for Ivy League schools, but not for state universities. I took the ACT in 2003 and it hasn’t held me back at all. They’re both standardized tests. If you have a specific college or set of them in mind, take a look at their requirements for entrance. Unless it’s Yale, Harvard and that sort, they should gladly accept ACTs instead of SATs if that is your choice.

Every college has its own requirements. Some don’t look at either some at both. Find a college you like and see what they require for admission.