Standardized testing is very important when applying for college. A good test score can make all the difference. The SAT is the more popular test in the state of Texas, yet Meridian students take the ACT. If you’re worried that taking the ACT could negatively impact your college application, don’t be. To admissions offices, the ACT and the SAT are viewed equally—the only difference is on the student end.
The popularity of the SAT is due mainly to its history, having been around since 1926, while the ACT didn’t hit the market until 1959. While both tests started out radically different, major changes have been made since then, making the two tests roughly the same experience.
When it comes to which test you should take, it depends on your academic strengths. The SAT requires more in-depth analysis, while the ACT is simpler and more direct. The SAT focuses solely on English and math, but the ACT includes science and writing portions as well. Due to Meridian’s emphasis on IB learning—including IB science and the Extended Essay—Meridian students are more equipped for the ACT than the average high schooler. The science and math portions of the ACT can also be combined into a STEM score, which can be incredibly beneficial depending on your major.
The more straightforward questions on the ACT allow students to score higher in comparison to the SAT, but only if the students have been properly prepared for the science and writing portions—like Meridian students. The ACT does a much better job of showing an IB student’s academic ability than the SAT. That’s why Meridian does it—to set you up for success.