SAT vs ACT Battle for Supremacy

Only about 33% of highschool graduates around the world take some sort of standardized test, such as the ACT or SAT.

Standardized testing has been around for years now, and it is a very efficient way to test students all around the world. These provide a basic number that can be easily measured for a basic, simple metric. All US universities and colleges accept scores from both the ACT and the SAT. Both tests have differences and similarities. Students around the Columbus School are very well informed about these exams and the implications of taking it.

“They measure your ability to read and write, and what you know about math. And consequently they are a key element if you want to get into a good university. I will be taking the SAT as soon as the opportunity arrives.” Sebastian Garces, 11th grader, said.

Students in the Columbus School know what these exams are and what they provide. Standardized tests that are crucial for college applications to the exterior, specifically to the US. But in reality, these exams also work if you want to apply in Europe as well, it isn’t only restricted to the US. In Colombia the basic standardized test is the ICFES. It is supposed to be taken by every student in the country, but only a fraction of students do. They work very well but do they work exactly the same?

“I think the only difference is an added science section, since I’m not interested in science I doubt I’ll take it but I might change my mind if my parents influence me enough” Garces, said.

The ACT and the SAT are very similar in fact. As stated in the quote, the ACT does contain an extra science section the SAT does not. But both of these take three hours in the making, both cost 47 USD, they both have the same grading policy, but the scores are different. The ACT goes from a scale of 1-36 and the SAT is scored from 400 to 1600. The ICFES cost around 20 USD and takes from four to nine hours to complete, depending on your specific speed.

“The ACT has a more less time strict schedule, and I do prefer this longer time since it takes me awhile to concentrate but once I do no one can stop me, I don’t mind the extra content either.” Gregorio Correa, 11th grader, said.

Eleven graders seem very well informed about what both of the test offer, and if they have chosen one over the other. In reality if you can take both, that would be the way to go, but if you can only take one, either one is fine. Chose the one you feel more comfortable with. Taking the ICFES here in Colombia is forced by law, so you will take it at some point. There is no reason to try to bail out of taking it, since it can only be a positive thing.