By Dennis A Minott

For nearly fifty years, I have had the honour of guiding university-bound youngsters across the Caribbean, particularly through my work with G-teens in Trinidad & Tobago and A-QuEST in Jamaica and CARICOM.

Throughout this extensive experience, I have witnessed firsthand the evolving landscape of college admissions testing and its profound impact on students’ futures. One of the most pressing questions facing Caribbean students and their families today is: when preparing for universities abroad, particularly in the United States, should they focus on the ACT or the SAT?

Having coached some of Jamaica’s absolute best performers—including Romero Heyman of Manchester High School, who scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT, and Dr Shauna Miller of St Hugh’s High School, who repeatedly achieved perfect 1600 scores in mock exams before illness intervened—I bring a wealth of practical insight to this debate. Moreover, Johan Gordon, another Campion-A-QuEST product, was the first Jamaican to score a perfect grade on the ACT on Jamaican soil. These experiences have shaped my conviction that the ACT is, in many respects, the more suitable and comprehensive test for Jamaican high school seniors and Caribbean students generally.

The Popularity and Recognition of ACT and SAT

Both the ACT and SAT are widely accepted by US universities and are considered equally attractive by admissions committees. However, data from the past two decades reveal that the ACT has become the more consistently administered and popular test among students, especially those applying to selective US institutions. According to the ACT organisation reports, about 2 million students took the ACT annually in recent years, compared to approximately 1.7 million for the SAT. This trend is reflected in the Caribbean, where the ACT’s relevance has grown due to its alignment with high school curricula.

Why ACT Is a More Comprehensive Measure of Readiness

The ACT’s design makes it a more comprehensive assessment of a student’s readiness for undergraduate studies. Unlike the SAT, the ACT includes a scientific reasoning component, which tests critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a scientific context. This section is invaluable for students aspiring to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degrees, a growing priority for global development and sustainable green initiatives—fields in which I have also worked internationally.

The ACT’s inclusion of science reasoning reflects a more holistic approach to evaluating student preparedness. It assesses not only verbal and mathematical skills but also the ability to interpret data, understand experiments, and apply scientific principles. This is particularly important for Caribbean students, whose secondary education often emphasises scientific literacy and critical thinking as part of the “common core” curriculum.

Alignment with Global Educational Standards

The “common core” standards prevalent in North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Southern Asia, and Oceania are more closely aligned with the ACT than the SAT. Many magnet and specialised schools in these regions design their curricula around competencies tested by the ACT, including scientific reasoning and a balanced focus on English, mathematics, reading, and science. This alignment means that students preparing for the ACT are more likely to encounter familiar material, reducing test anxiety and improving performance.

For Jamaican students, especially those aiming for prestigious scholarships such as the Rhodes or placements in highly selective universities, this alignment is crucial. A-QuEST has proudly helped to produce 11 Rhodes Scholars and 29 winners of UWC as well as thousands of other distinguished scholars, many of whom found the ACT to be a better fit for their academic preparation and aspirations.

The Current Testing Landscape in Jamaica

Historically, the ACT was widely available in Jamaica, with many students choosing it as their preferred test. However, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the testing landscape has shifted dramatically. Today, Jamaicans must travel overseas—to the Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Miami, or Trinidad & Tobago—to sit the ACT exam, while the SAT remains the only standardised test offered locally.

This change raises important questions. Why has the ACT, the exam better aligned with Jamaican high school curricula and students’ academic strengths, become less accessible? The SAT’s frequent changes and removal of a dedicated scientific reasoning evaluation have arguably made it a less comprehensive measure of student ability. Yet, it remains the more readily available option in Jamaica, potentially limiting students’ opportunities to showcase their full academic potential.

Advocating for the ACT: A Call to Action

From my perspective as a seasoned test coach and educational consultant, it is in the best interest of Jamaican students and the broader Caribbean educational development to prioritise the ACT over the SAT. The ACT’s comprehensive testing approach, its alignment with international educational standards, and its proven track record with top-performing Caribbean students make it the superior choice.

Moreover, expanding access to the ACT within Jamaica would empower more students to compete effectively on the global stage. It would also encourage schools to tailor their teaching to the competencies that the ACT assesses, fostering a stronger foundation in scientific reasoning and critical thinking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both the ACT and SAT remain valid pathways to universities abroad, the evidence and experience strongly support the ACT as the more appropriate and beneficial choice for Jamaican and Caribbean students. Its comprehensive nature, alignment with global curricula, and proven success among top performers make it a strategic tool for educational advancement.

As we look to the future, it is imperative that educational stakeholders in Jamaica and the Caribbean advocate for greater availability of the ACT exam locally. Doing so will not only enhance students’ chances of admission to prestigious universities but also contribute to the development of a generation better prepared for the challenges of tertiary education and beyond.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Dennis A. Minott, A-Q
Educational Consultant and Test Coach