Standardized tests are an important component in the college admissions process. Many schools place a great deal of faith in these tests as indicators of how well a student will do in college, and base a good part of their decision on test scores. The SATs and ACTs are the two national, standardized tests administered today.

At some point you will have to decide which test to take – or should you take both?

Most colleges will accept the results of either test, but you should check and make sure that’s true of the schools that interest you. Both tests take roughly the same amount of time to complete and are given throughout the school year, but there are significant differences between them.

The SAT tests critical thinking and problem solving, as opposed to the subject matter taught in school. It is composed of a math section, a verbal section and a writing portion.

The ACT, on the other hand, tests the core high school curriculum taught in most schools. Unlike the SAT it includes a section of science questions, and is sometimes considered to be a better test for students who are strong in science. Yet, I have seen average students do relatively well in this part of the ACT.

The tests are also scored differently – the ACT does not penalize students for incorrect answers (in other words, it’s safer to guess with the ACT).

But nobody should rely on guesswork when taking these important college admission exams. Both tests are challenging and you should prepare for them rigorously. There are many excellent guide books available for both, as well as test prep classes and tutoring centers. Because of the amount of preparation they require, it is not a good idea to take both – your study time will be better spent preparing for just one test. To find out which is best for you, take a sample of both tests and see where your strengths lie.

With all the uncertainty students face around college admissions, it would be wonderful if there was a simple yes or no answer to every question. Unfortunately, there are some areas where the answers aren’t black or white. And the score choice option – for both the SATs and ACTs – is one of those extremely gray areas.

Since March 2009, the College Board has given students the choice of whether or not they want the scores from a particular test date to be reported to colleges. According to their website, this step was undertaken to reduce test-day stress on students, allowing them to put their best foot forward by giving them the option of not releasing their scores.

Since then, some elite colleges and universities have rejected this policy and are still requiring students to report scores from all sittings; the College Board’s own website admits that “colleges continue to set their own score use practices, which may vary from college to college.”

The ACT has always had a score choice policy, but apparently some selective colleges are now ignoring that as well, and will look at all the ACT scores a student obtains. This disregard of SAT and ACT score choice policy is not widespread right now, but it is possible that other colleges may follow suit. For now, there is a great deal of uncertainty, creating confusion and stress for college applicants, their families and high school guidance counselors.

Although there are, unfortunately, no black or white answers, the most logical advice is not to take any standardized tests as a lark, just to “see how you’ll do.” The SAT and ACT tests should be diligently prepared for, and despite score choice policies currently in place, it’s wise to assume there’s a chance that the college of your choice will choose to see your test scores.