If you have a child in the local Memphis area, you’ll notice that the school provides the ACT at no cost to students. Why are schools pushing this test though? There are some test optional colleges that do not require the ACT or SAT, but each and every high school junior in the district is required by their school to take the ACT. The reason for this is not complex: The state of Tennessee mandates that each school high school junior complete the SAT or ACT prior to graduating high school. Districts may choose which test to administer, but in TN, almost all districts have chosen the ACT.
Simply because students are given these tests by their high school, many parents, and even many high school teachers believe that the ACT is better aligned with local college’s expectations. That is not the case. We’ve shouted from the rooftops that there are absolutely no preferences by schools for one test over another. The SAT and ACT can be used interchangeably for college applications. Students should ALWAYS take the test that is aligned with their learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. Taking the ACT over and over again without ever considering the SAT is a great way to ensure you’ll never maximize your potential.
At Brains and Brawn, we happily provide full-length diagnostic tests to students. This helps each and every student pinpoint which test is best suited for their abilities, and often shows disparate score percentiles, strongly favoring one test. Our data shows that students in the Greater Memphis area on average outperform their ACT scores on the SAT. Connect with us for an initial consultation today, at little or no cost to you. Find the right test for your student, and dial in by preparing for it. Don’t work on a test that isn’t well-suited for your child and then experience the frustration of stagnation. Contact our team to hear the actual differences between the two tests.