Two major college entrance examinations are administered in the United States, the SAT and the ACT.

Leveling playing field: Standardized tests help college admissions officers evaluate all students by a common measurement. Scores can compensate for differences in high school curriculum, grade inflation and quality of teaching. They may predict how a student will do freshman year at college.

Other application components: Colleges also consider high school course load, grades, recommendations and a student's personal statement.

SAT versus ACT: Until recently, the ACT was required by most Midwestern colleges, while the SAT was favored by Northeast schools and those on both coasts. An increasing number of students are taking the ACT, and the majority of U.S. colleges now accept both test results.

So how do I choose? Increased acceptance of both exams gives students a strategic advantage. The ACT is a content-based test, whereas the SAT tests critical thinking and problem solving skills. ACT is designed to test skill levels in English, math, reading, and science reasoning. SAT is designed to test skill level in math, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Some students may perform significantly better on one test than the other, so you should consider taking both.

More information: www.kaptest.com/college.