In Thomas A. Edison High School, there is a lot of pressure among the students to improve their grades, participate in various activities, and tests like the SAT and the ACT, which can have big impacts on their applications. However,despite both the SAT and ACT being available, the SAT is the most popular choice among students overall at Edison.
The ACT is also a test which is accepted by most colleges, but it is not as directly promoted by Edison as is the SAT, which can cost students a chance at a stronger score and a better college application. Both exams are both accepted across the country and are widely recognized nationwide by universities.
Miguel Quiros, a junior at Edison, said he hasn’t considered taking the ACT, even though he has been informed about the test. He explained that the school does give resources to prep with practice assignments.
Ms. Abramowitz, a guidance counselor at Edison said, “As a CTE school, I would love to see the opportunity for the students to take the ACT.” She also added, “I know that when I push into my classes and talk to my students about college and career readiness, I implore with them to do practice ACTs, see how they do in them, and then if they think that that’s a test for them, I suggest that they try to take the ACT as well.”
“The SAT is available as the SAT school day. I think that is one reason why. I just think that the exam is more well-known and available for students to take in school. But to be honest, there’s not really a benefit of one over the other. Both tests are acceptable. Colleges accept both,” Ms. Minya said. “When it comes to admissions, colleges accept both. They don’t have a preference for one or the other. But obviously a better score is better for admissions either way.”
What test aligned with students at Edison?
“I think that they probably both align because the main difference is that the ACT has a science section. So I would think that all of that aligns, for the most part, with our school’s curriculum. But you do have to be on the more advanced track. Like in order to take all the classes that align with the SAT or ACT by 11th grade when you take the exam.” She also added, “From what I’ve seen, the students here are more STEM-minded. Just from anecdotal experience, I think that students perform better on the math section of the SAT than the reading section. Just because of what they’re interested in.”
At Edison, students take the PSAT in 10th grade and the SAT in 11th grade. In preparation for the SAT, they are also provided with access to PrepScholar as a school-supported study resource to help them review and practice for the exam, building their test-taking skills and confidence over time.
According to the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, “both exams remain popular with U.S. colleges, which use the exams to evaluate high school students’ academic readiness for college,” showing that neither test has an advantage in the admissions process.
