Mike Nussbaum ’11
Sports Editor

The SAT is the test that dominates all others with its college implications…or so we thought. As of 2007, all four–year colleges now accept not only the SAT, but the ACT as well, which makes it no surprise that over the past few years, more and more students have elected to take the ACT over the SAT.

“The SAT and ACT are two completely different tests,” said Elaine Schwartz, head of guidance at Staples. “Different students will do better on either test…Students should try to take both to get the best understanding of which test best suits them.”

Schwartz said that “The SAT tests a student’s ability to use their reasoning to analyze problems, while the ACT strictly tests what a student has learned in school.”

 Nancy Owen, who works in media relations for ACT, agreed with Mrs. Schwartz.

“The ACT does test knowledge learned in school, but what it can accomplish that students can benefit from is the concrete answers the ACT provides, where other tests don’t,” Owen said. “After receiving their scores on the ACT, a student best knows what areas to pursue, because the test gives leeway to a students strengths.”

Kat Krieger  ’10 is a supporter of the ACT because of its concrete nature. “There is no extra vocabulary you need to learn to take the test and also, the math section is not trying to trick you,” Krieger said.

However, Schwartz believes that students should not necessarily rule out the SATs, because they are better for some students. “I think students should be aware of both, and they should consult their guidance counselors and take practice tests to find which test best suits them.”

Jehangir Hafiz ’11 is a supporter of the SAT because it is an application test.

“I think the ACTs are mostly memorizing, but the SATs are more of a thinking test, and besides, the ACT requires students to work much faster then their comfort level.” Hafiz said.

Krieger along with Lauren Hodes ’11 agree that the ACT requires students to work very fast.

“The ACT seems to have easier questions, because the real challenge is finishing on time,” Hodes said.

For these students and others who support the ACT, the difference between the questions is the main reason they choose the ACT over the SAT.

“The ACT is definitely becoming more popular since all colleges nationwide have started accepting them, and it gives Staples students the opportunity to choose which test suits them best,” Schwartz said.

Supporters of the ACT and SAT agree with Schwartz in that it’s better for students to have an option.

“It’s a good idea that all colleges accept either test because it allows for students to show scores that best demonstrate their intelligence…it allows for students to be on equal playing fields,” Hafiz said.

While the highly acclaimed SAT may be traditionally known for being the more popular test, Staples students now have the option to choose between the SAT and ACTs when applying to colleges.