The ACT is a completely different college admissions test. Did you know that last year the SAT evolved to become more like the ACT in that the student was no longer penalized for guesses? That format never existed with the ACT. All colleges accept either the SAT or the ACT and yet very little is known about the ACT. Most of the students on the Cape take only the SAT. But since all schools take either test, why not take it?

Today’s article will be the first of a two-part series designed to examine the differences of the two tests in hopes of convincing the parents and students that they should give both a try. Next week, I will discuss the specific differences between both tests. Those differences will help students understand the additional rationale toward taking both tests.

There is a general misconception that some colleges do not accept the test. However, the reality is that all colleges accept either test for their admissions. On my favorite college information website, College Navigator, the Admissions tab of a college shows the average SAT and ACT scores for that school. There is even a comparison sheet that translates the scores for both tests side by side. You can find the score comparison sheet by conducting a Google search for “SAT vs. ACT chart.” That chart will show you the comparison of the four-part (English, reading, math and science) composite score of the ACT versus the two-part (reading and math) composite score of the SAT.

As many students and parents know, there are two major pieces for college admission; your grade point average (GPA) and your SAT/ACT test scores. Mentally, add up the number of hours that students have invested in their GPA. Often, that total number of hours exceeds 1,000 hours. Those 1,000 hours are one part of the two major criteria for admission. Wouldn’t it make sense to take a small percentage of that total time and look at both college admissions tests and then select the best one? Is there an advantage to limiting the student to just taking the SAT test by itself?

West of the Mississippi River, the main test that is used for college admission is the ACT. In that part of the country, students know very little about the SAT. East of the Mississippi, it is the exact opposite. Since both tests are considered equal, then all colleges accept either one.