Every parent eventually asks us: “Should my kid take the SAT or the ACT?”
And the honest answer is: it depends how they work best.
We recently worked with two students, Thomas and Jacob, who both had their eyes on really selective schools. But one thing seemed to be standing in their way: a high standardized test score.
By the time we met them, they were just about ready to give up.
Thomas had been studying for months to get his target SAT score of 1300. But he always felt rushed, and his first official test left him discouraged with a score of 1100.
Jacob was in a similar boat with the ACT. No matter how many practice tests he took, he kept running out of time. Trying to break his score ceiling felt like banging his head against a wall.
These were bright kids with good grades! Somehow this experience had them convinced they must be “bad at test-taking.”
But as it turned out, they were just taking the wrong test.
Colleges don’t prefer one test over the other, but students usually do.
Both the SAT and ACT are equally challenging in their own way.
The different formats and question types play to different strengths.
- The ACT is a faster test. You get less time per question, and typically you either know the answer or you don’t.
- The SAT meanwhile, requires deeper thinking to decipher its puzzles and avoid its traps. There are fewer (but trickier) questions, so students get more time to grapple with them.
So while Thomas and Jacob were both running out of time, it turned out to be for very different reasons.
Thomas struggled with the SAT’s inference-heavy questions — the ones designed to make you second-guess yourself — especially under time pressure. The ACT’s more straightforward format was a better fit. And with help from Signet, he secured extra time accommodations for his ADHD.
That’s when everything clicked:
Thomas quickly scored a 33 on the ACT — the equivalent of a 1450 on the SAT — crushing his original goal of 28 (or 1300).
Jacob meanwhile, is analytical and methodical. He’s great at working through complex problems, but he needed time to do it. The SAT gave him room to think, and that became an advantage.
Pivoting to the SAT, Jacob easily hit his target score of 1500 — exactly what he needed to be competitive at his dream schools.
This is why the “which test should I take?” question matters so much.
One of these tests might be a far better fit for how your kid thinks and processes information.
And the sooner you figure that out, the better.
How to choose between the SAT and ACT: a strategic approach.
Though we wish we could have saved Thomas and Jacob the headache of studying for the wrong test, fortunately, they still had time to pivot.
But too many students don’t get that chance.
Even ambitious students often wait for their school to start the process, defaulting to whatever test is offered. Or they assume colleges prefer one test over the other, when in reality, they don’t.
Then, by the time they realize a test isn’t working, they’re already deep into junior year, juggling AP classes and multiple extracurriculars.
There’s no bandwidth left to switch paths, so they either push through with mediocre scores or give up on testing entirely, convinced they’re just “bad test-takers.”
But the difference between struggling and succeeding on these tests usually isn’t effort or intelligence — it’s strategy.
To be strategic, you’ll want to start looking at testing early. You’ll need plenty of time to take diagnostic tests and compare not only scores, but experiences. You’ll also need time to reflect, research colleges, and consider your goals holistically so you can spend your effort wisely.
That’s why we advise our students to start this process in the spring of 10th grade.
3 steps to figure out your testing strategy.
Here’s how to approach the SAT vs ACT decision strategically:
Step 1. Take Full Diagnostic Tests of Both
Have your student sit for a full-length practice SAT and a full-length ACT under timed conditions. Use official practice tests from the College Board and ACT websites — third-party diagnostics won’t give you accurate data.
Step 2. Compare Scores and Experience
Look at how the scores compare using official concordance tables. But also ask your student: Which test felt more manageable? Where did they struggle? Did they run out of time on one but not the other? Did the question style on one test feel more intuitive?
Step 3. Factor in Their College Goals and Learning Profile
A diagnostic score means something very different depending on where they’re applying. So look up the average scores of admitted students at their top choice schools (find these on college websites or through tools like College Navigator). Or, flip it around — use their diagnostic scores to guide which schools they add to their list.
→ If they’re scoring well below the middle 50%, you’ll need to have a conversation about prep intensity, accommodations (if applicable), or expanding their list to include test-optional or test-blind schools.
→ If they’re close to their target range — within 2-3 ACT points or 100-150 SAT points — create a practice plan to bridge that gap before spring of junior year.
Starting early gives you more options
Thomas and Jacob’s success came down to one thing: they had time.
Because they started exploring testing in sophomore year, there was room to pivot, adjust their strategy, and still have months to prepare for the right test.
Students who wait until junior year don’t have that luxury. They’re stuck on a path that may not be working, with no time to course-correct.
So remember — spring of 10th grade is the window to gather data, explore both tests, and build a testing strategy that actually plays to their strengths.
Need help creating a testing strategy?
Figuring out the right testing path can feel overwhelming, especially when there’s so much conflicting advice out there.
But we’ve helped hundreds of students navigate this exact decision while considering their strengths, goals, and wellbeing, and we’d love to help yours too.
Book a free consultation and let’s talk about where your student is now, which test might be the best fit, and how much they might expect to improve with the right prep.
