ACT & SAT Myths and Misconceptions
Do colleges prefer the SAT over the ACT?
Is the ACT easier than the SAT?
Should I leave a question blank if I don’t know the answer?
Are SAT and ACT questions in order of difficulty?
Can I only take the SAT or ACT during my junior year?
Common ACT and SAT Myths and Misconceptions
The ACT and SAT have played an important role in college admissions. They already create enough stress, so let’s debunk some common myths!
Myth #1: Colleges prefer the SAT over the ACT
This is false! Admissions counselors have explicitly said that they do not prefer one exam over the other. In 2005, the director of admissions from Harvard College stated that Harvard accepts both ACT and SAT scores on an “absolutely equal basis.” One is not considered “better” than the other.
Myth #2: The ACT is "Easier" than the SAT
This is false. Neither is necessarily easier than one or another. The types of questions on the ACT and the SAT are different from each other, but they test a lot of the same things. You may find that you do better on one over the other, but neither is objectively easier. One may suit your test taking or learning style more than another. Take a practice test of each to find out which is better for you!
Myth #3: If You Don't Know an Answer, Leave it Blank
This is not true! The “guessing penalty” has been removed on both the ACT and SAT. You will only earn points for correct answers. You will not be penalized for guessing or answering a question incorrectly. As a result, it is highly recommended that you fill in a bubble for every question, regardless of whether you feel confident that your guess is correct. You have a higher chance of guessing the correct answer and therefore earning points than you do if you just leave the question blank leaving. But remember, educated guesses that eliminate one or more answers are better than random guesses.
In short, fill in a bubble for every question because you will not be penalized for incorrect guesses.
Myth #4: ACT and SAT Questions are in Order of Difficulty
This is partially true, but only for the math sections on the ACT and the SAT. The difficulty of the questions will get harder until a certain point, and then the difficulty will reset. This does not apply to all the other sections on either exam. It is a good practice to mark difficult questions for you to come back to later if you do not know the answer right away. When identifying questions that are difficult, note what categories they fall into. For example, on the English section, there are details, main ideas, compare and contrast, inference, vocabulary in context, etc. questions. If you are able to identify the type of questions that you are having difficulty with, you can later do practice problems in those subjects to increase your chances of getting those kinds of questions correct on the actual exam.
Myth #5: You Can Only Take the ACT/SAT in Your Junior Year of High School
This is in fact false. You can take either exam during any year of high school. Most students take their first SAT or ACT during their junior year of high school because it gives them enough time to prepare for either exam and to take it another time (if needed) before their senior year. Students typically test in the summer before their senior year or, at the latest, in the fall of their senior year before college application deadlines. It’s a good strategy to take the SAT/ACT whenever you are ready to take it, while also leaving yourself enough time to retake it, if necessary.
Want to know the best time to take the SAT? Check out our article here! Wondering what SAT score you should aim for? Check out our article here!
