More students are taking the SAT instead of ACT exams

Washington – For our Northampton Seniors, many have taken the SAT exams, some may be taking them later in November. This year, the SAT reclaims title of most widely used college admission test.

For first time in seven years, more graduating seniors took the SAT than the rival ACT.

According to data provided to The Washington Post, nearly 2 million U.S. students in the Class of 2018 took the SAT during high school, compared with 1.91 million who took the ACT. The ACT had been the overall leader since 2012.early 2 million U.S. students in the class of 2018 took the SAT during high school, compared with 1.91 million who took the ACT.

Counting international students, 2.1 million who graduated from high school this year took the SAT. That was up more than 20 percent from the previous year’s global total of 1.7 million.

The ACT had been the overall leader since 2012. The College Board, which owns the SAT, pushed to expand its market share in recent years by revising the test and entering into deals with numerous states and school systems to give students the exam.

There are differences between the tests. The ACT includes a science section, and the SAT doesn’t. A perfect score on the ACT is 36. On the SAT, it’s 1600.

Both exams claim to be aligned with the school curriculum. Both are about three hours long, not counting breaks and an optional essay. Both focus on math, reading and writing. And, importantly, colleges will accept a score from either.

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