ACT vs. SAT scores – are both acceptable?

I took both the SAT and the ACT prior to entering college.

My SAT score was 2020 (94th percentile) My ACT score was 32 (98th percentile)

My SAT math subscore was 640 (84th percentile) My ACT math subscore was 32 (97th percentile)

Obviously, I did much better on my ACT, both in terms of composite and math score. Will I be able to use these ACT scores in recruiting/applying for consulting firms this coming fall? Do firms even accept ACT scores? I am concerned that my SAT scores, if discovered, could hinder my recruiting prospects.

I should also note that I am recruiting on the west coast. Thanks guys.

32 Comments
 

I don't know what grade you're in but after Sophomore year most banks don't see it as an "appropriate gauge of current intellect" and don't even require it, unless they ask. Provide your ACT if they ask, it is pretty standardized in that I know some people who have never even taken the SAT.

 

Never been a supporter of the whole SAT scores on your resume thing. An exception is if you're a non-target and you need to show that you're intelligent and not just getting good grades at a shitty school.

There's no way they could "discover" your SAT scores unless you disclose them.

MM IB -> Corporate Development -> Strategic Finance
 

West coast schools are also especially accepting to ACT scores (From college app experience), therefore i'm sure the same would be for west coast firms.

 

sorry for beating a dead horse...

but I know it is expected (at least at my target Ivy) that SAT scores are indicated by listing each section and the subscore. For ACT, which has 4-5 sections, what is the appropriate method of listing on the resume? Just composite or would listing English, Math, and Reading be the appropriate way (equivalent to Writing, Math, CR--cant see firms giving a shit how you did on science)

 
helpinghand

sorry for beating a dead horse...

but I know it is expected (at least at my target Ivy) that SAT scores are indicated by listing each section and the subscore. For ACT, which has 4-5 sections, what is the appropriate method of listing on the resume? Just composite or would listing English, Math, and Reading be the appropriate way (equivalent to Writing, Math, CR--cant see firms giving a shit how you did on science)

Just composite

 
Meowrice

I don't know what grade you're in but after Sophomore year most banks don't see it as an "appropriate gauge of current intellect" and don't even require it, unless they ask. Provide your ACT if they ask, it is pretty standardized in that I know some people who have never even taken the SAT.

All big-name consulting firms will ask for it, if not in resume on their website applications. For OCR, each firm's posting requested that the SAT/ACT score be put on the resume.

Whatever you do, just don't put the percentiles.

 

Put ACT score on there but make sure to write as 36/36 since some folks don't actually know what full marks is.

OK to leave SAT off - 2280 isn't bad, but they'll see plenty of 2300+ so it's not that great either.

Generally banks view SAT more favorably than ACT just due to familiarity with the scale and difficulty for older folks, but your ACT is definitely better than SAT.

 

Yeah - It's not a problem. On my SA Apps, I just looked up the equivalency tables, and put (~1575 SAT per CollegeBoard) or something like that after my ACT score.

 
 

No, that's not what I meant. I meant an interviewer who takes your ACT score, views it as BS, and then demands an SAT score. The answer you gave probably wouldn't satisfy such a person.

 

Just put the ACT, I doubt they'd question anything. I went to HS in state where the ACT was required, so I destroyed that and never bothered to take the SAT. Someone actually in consulting could provide more insight though.

 

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