ACT/SAT Debate Rages On

The SAT and ACT are both used to evaluate how suitable a student is for a college or university. The SAT consists of three sections of each of the following subjects: math, critical reading, and writing. Each section is worth 800 points, which totals up to the highest possible score of 2400. The ACT also encompasses math, reading, and English, but this exam includes science, as well. Each section is graded separately out of 36 points, and the average of all four makes up the composite score. An optional writing test is also offered.

According to The College Board, more than 2 million students take the SAT every year. Eight of the 33 students surveyed for this article have taken just the SAT, and 25 seniors have taken both exams. No student surveyed only took the ACT. Each of the students who have taken both exams preferred one test over the other.

Out of the 25 seniors that took both exams, 13 said that the ACT was easier. Senior Corey Almanzi explains that he is better at math and science, so the ACT was shorter and less stressful for him. "I definitely liked the ACT better because I didn't think it was trying to trick me," says senior Sarah Lesser. "The ACT measured more of your knowledge than your ability to take a test," remarks senior Nina Hylen. "For the SAT, you have to understand the question, and then figure out the answer. For the ACT, the questions are just straightforward," says senior Kerrigan Nyman.

The other 12 preferred the SAT, including senior Shakera Kemp. "In the essay you could be creative and the math was easy," she says. Senior Ed Kiesa adds, "I'm more of a reasoning kind of guy and I took the SAT classes, so I thought that was easier." Senior Nicole Huerta says that since she's better at English and reading, she thought the SAT was easier. "I didn't take the ACT because the science part is just way too confusing," says senior Kathryn Hu.

"Generally, students at J-D tend to do better on the ACT," says guidance counselor Denise Becher." Ms. Becher adds that more students take the SAT than the ACT. However, "I encourage [the students] to take one of each," she said. This way, the highest score can be sent to colleges.

Most seniors also recommend taking both exams. "They're both worth taking because you can compare your scores," says senior Eileen Cody. Almanzi agrees, and says, "If I did bad on one I could use the other [to send to colleges]."

Assistant Dean of Admissions at Syracuse University Nancy Machles Rothschild reports that 63 percent of the first-year students at SU took just the SAT. 60 percent of the freshmen at Le Moyne College took only the SAT, said Dennis J. Nicholson, Director of Admissions at Le Moyne College.

The number of students who took only the ACT was much lower. Ten percent of freshmen at SU and eight percent of the freshmen at Le Moyne took just the ACT. However, if a student chooses to take the ACT, Syracuse University requires them to take the optional writing test.

25 percent of SU's first-year students and 32 percent of Le Moyne's took both exams. Neither SU or Le Moyne prefers one test over the other.
With these statistics, it appears that the SAT is more widely taken. Whether or not the ACT is easier than the SAT is clearly a matter of opinion. Take both to form your own opinion and see for yourself!