TL;DR:
Most colleges accept scores from either test, so the choice is about which test shows your ability more fairly, not which one is more prestigious.
Take one timed practice test of each, then compare your results as percentages, your pacing and how the questions felt.
Check the current formats and each school's policy on the official sites before you commit, because both can change.
Students often pick a test because a friend took it or because it sounds easier. Neither is a good reason. The two tests cover overlapping skills in different ways, and people do better on one than the other for reasons that have nothing to do with intelligence, such as how they handle time or how they read a long passage. The only reliable way to choose is to measure yourself on both.
Why compare your own results
Your practice results tell you something no general advice can. They show your accuracy on each test, the speed you work at, and where you run out of time. Those are the numbers a college will never see, but they predict how you will perform under a clock on the day.
Compare percentages, not raw counts. Two tests can have different numbers of questions, so 24 right on one and 26 right on another doesn't tell you which is better. You need the share you got right on each.
What you need before you start
One official practice test of each exam, taken under full timed conditions on the same weekday and time of day.
A timer, a quiet room and the calculator you would use on test day.
A log of two things for each test: the number you got right, and the number you didn't answer because you ran out of time.
Notes on which section felt hardest, and why, in your own words.
Compare the two tests step by step
Take both tests in the same week: Take them close together so your preparation and tiredness are roughly the same for each. Leave a day between them if you need a rest.
Score each section as a percentage: For every section, divide the number right by the number of questions. Write the percentage next to it.
Record your pacing: Note how many questions you left unanswered, and whether you were rushing near the end. Time pressure is often the deciding factor.
Rate the feel of each test: Write one line per section: which questions felt familiar, which passages dragged, which kind of problem you enjoyed or dreaded.
Decide with the numbers and the feel together: Choose the test where your percentages are higher and your pacing holds up. If they are close, choose the one whose format you find easier to work through.
Worked example: taking one timed practice test of each
Here is a hypothetical comparison, with made-up numbers written for this article. Your results will be different.
Measure | Test A | Test B |
|---|---|---|
Math questions in the practice section | 20 | 25 |
Math questions right | 14 | 16 |
Math accuracy | 14 ÷ 20 = 70% | 16 ÷ 25 = 64% |
Questions left unanswered | 0 | 3 |
Difference in accuracy | 70% − 64% = 6 points in favor of Test A |
Check the arithmetic: 14 ÷ 20 = 0.70, which is 70%, and 16 ÷ 25 = 0.64, which is 64%. The gap is 70 − 64 = 6 percentage points. Test B's 16 right looks bigger, but it is a smaller share of its test, and three unanswered questions show that pacing was the problem.
Read this as a signal, not a verdict. Here the student is more accurate on Test A and runs out of time less on it. A reasonable next step is to lean toward Test A, then repeat the comparison with a second pair of practice tests before deciding. One pair is a small sample.
Check the rules and the requirements
Both tests change their formats over time, and each college sets its own policy about which score it accepts and whether it requires an essay or a particular subject test. Most colleges accept scores from either test, but check each school's admissions page before you choose, and check the official test sites for current formats, timing and registration dates.
Mistakes to avoid
Choosing by reputation or by what a friend says. Your numbers are the better guide.
Comparing raw counts when the tests have different lengths.
Taking one test with full preparation and the other with none, then comparing the results.
Ignoring unanswered questions. A test you run out of time on can look fine on accuracy alone.
Your plan for this week
Find the current official practice test for each exam, and book a time block for each.
Take each test under timed conditions and log the measures from the table.
Calculate the accuracy for every section, and check the difference between the two tests.
Read each school's test policy on the list you are considering, and note any that require something specific.
Once you have the two sets of numbers side by side, the choice usually becomes clearer. If it stays close, let the pacing and the feel of the questions break the tie.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take both tests?
Yes, many students do. Each test has its own registration and fees, so plan the dates and check the official sites for the current process.
Does one test have an easier math section?
Each test has a different mix of question types. Your own practice accuracy tells you which mix suits you better, which is more useful than a general rumor.
What if my two results are almost identical?
Choose the test with the better pacing, then the one whose format you find less stressful. Either is a good choice if your results are close.
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