U.S. News & World Report: Should You Take the SAT or ACT Test? Sylvan Learning weighs in.

Both the ACT and SAT tests are meant to evaluate a student’s college readiness, but there are significant differences between the two. Though many colleges are test-optional or test-blind — meaning that either they don’t require students to submit standardized test scores or they don’t use the scores to determine admission status — there are still reasons to take the tests.

An ACT or SAT score may be required for scholarship consideration. It may also be included with an application to a test-optional school to demonstrate above-average performance. Because you aren’t necessarily required to submit scores, no matter how well or poorly you perform, it’s recommended that you take both tests at least once, if possible.

"For students, now the recommendation is unless you feel like you are absolutely going to bomb it, go ahead and take it and then you should know a couple of things about the schools you’re applying to," Emily Mitchell, vice president of education at Sylvan Learning, told U.S. News & Report. “You should know, ‘What is the average score of students who are accepted?’ 'Is your score at that level or higher?' If so, go ahead and submit it. If it’s not, it won’t be held against you.”

As students prepare for ACT and SAT testing, understanding the differences between the two tests, like timing, tools and format, can help them to perform optimally.

Learn more and read the full article here.