One of the first questions families ask when high school testing season arrives is: SAT or ACT? For students in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland — where academic competition is intense and test prep resources are plentiful — this decision deserves more than a coin flip.
The short answer: take a practice test for both, compare your scores against each other's percentile equivalents, and let the data tell you where you have more upside. Here's how to think through it.
Are All Colleges Test-Optional Now?
Many schools moved to test-optional policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a significant number have made those policies permanent. However, the landscape is shifting again. MIT, Yale, Dartmouth, Harvard, and many other highly selective schools have returned to requiring test scores.
For families in the DC metro area targeting selective schools — UVA, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, William & Mary, or competitive out-of-state universities — submitting strong scores is still advantageous even at test-optional schools. At test-optional schools, students who submit scores are typically admitted at higher rates than those who don't. The absence of a score is not neutral — it shifts more weight onto other parts of the application.
SAT vs. ACT: The Key Differences
Both tests are accepted at every major college and university in the United States. Neither has an inherent advantage in admissions. What matters is which test produces a stronger score for your specific student.
SAT: Administered by College Board. 2 sections (Reading & Writing combined; Math). Score: 400–1600. Now entirely digital (as of 2024). Heavier emphasis on algebra and data analysis. Moderate time pressure — most students finish.
ACT: Administered by ACT, Inc. 4 sections: English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning. Score: 1–36. Covers more math content including trigonometry. Science section tests data interpretation and reasoning, not science knowledge. Higher time pressure than the SAT.
Who Tends to Do Better on Each Test?
Students who often score relatively better on the SAT: Strong readers who work methodically; students who perform well with more time per question; students whose math strength is in algebra and functions.
Students who often score relatively better on the ACT: Students who process information quickly; students strong across multiple subjects; students with strong math backgrounds who aren't intimidated by trigonometry; students who find the SAT's reading passages tedious.
The Right Process: Take Practice Tests First
The single most reliable way to decide is to take a full, timed practice test for each — under realistic conditions — and compare the results using a concordance table. College Board and ACT, Inc. publish score concordance tables that convert scores between the two tests.
- Official SAT practice: Khan Academy (free, comprehensive)
- Official ACT practice: ACT.org (free full-length tests available)
- Both: Prep books from Princeton Review or Barron's include full-length practice tests
How DC Metro Area Students Should Think About This
Students in Fairfax County, Arlington, Loudoun, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Washington, DC, and surrounding communities are competing in one of the most academically concentrated regions in the country. The average test score among applicants from DC area high schools is higher than the national average, which means score ranges that look competitive nationally may not be at the schools most families are targeting.
Approximate middle 50% SAT ranges for schools DC area families commonly target: UVA ≈ 1360–1530 | University of Maryland ≈ 1280–1450 | Virginia Tech (competitive programs) ≈ 1280–1480 | William & Mary ≈ 1330–1500 | Georgetown ≈ 1400–1560.
When to Start Testing
- 10th grade: Take the PSAT 10 in the spring (baseline data and early prep experience)
- Spring of 11th grade: First official SAT or ACT attempt
- Fall of 11th grade or summer before 12th: Second attempt after focused prep
- Fall of 12th grade (if needed): Final attempt before application deadlines
The Bottom Line
The SAT vs. ACT decision isn't about which test is "better." It's about which test is better for your student. Take both practice tests before committing to either, and let your actual performance guide the decision.
Questions about test strategy? Contact Dr. Bass to discuss your student's situation.
Dr. Jay Bass is the founder of INSIGHTS College Planning & Advising in Falls Church, Virginia. He has 25+ years of experience guiding students and families in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland through standardized testing strategy and the college admissions process.