Yes, I know the quick answer is to take a test SAT and see how it goes! But here’s the thing…my son is pretty burnt out on test taking and prepping. ACT 3 times, 2 were a 29 Comp score that he would like to raise 1-2 pts for his choice schools. On these two, the section higher scores flip flopped, giving us reason to hope that he might be able to pull off the high er scores all in one test (not many of his choice scores superscore the ACT).
He’s committed to one more try with either more work with the tutor or 30 min a day of practice test and studying answers on his own. Before we start that though, I’m wondering if he should just try an SAT. The tutor says she doesn’t think he will be one who finds the SAT easier (she had a technical reason but I don’t remember it). And many of his desired schools do superscore the SAT. However, again, he’s about at the end of his rope. Even if he did score higher on a practice SAT, I don’t think he would take it twice, no matter what. He’s entering senior year and applying EA to some schools so he’s about out of time and effort for tests and test prep.
What would you guys do? Again knowing that he’s pretty burnt out, and I am going to respect the level of commitment that he’s willing to give…we’ve seen what happens when he is not motivated and didn’t prep. Thanks!
Why don’t you have your son take a timed practice SAT through Khan academy? He can decide which he liked and performed better on, and not have to worry about reporting a score?
Seeing as he has reached the burned out stage, I would recommend that you simply ask him and let him decide which test he thinks he will be most successful on. Not only does it show that you value his input but it also places the ball in his court.
there is a difference between the ACT and SAT. The ACT is for students who work quickly. The SAT is for students who take more time, but the test also allows them to go deeper into each topic. Find out what type of student your son is, and that should give you a good idea about what test to take.
So my middle son was in almost the exact same situation a couple of years ago. He is now about to start Sophomore Year in college. He was also scoring in the same range. He took the Sept ACT and his scores did not really improved. At that point he was totally tested out and knee deep in really hard 1st Semester Courses and more college visits. He ended up taking the SAT totally blind, as in never took any kind of SAT before and had only taken the PSAT. His score rose to what would have been equal to another point or two on the ACT. He probably should have taken the SAT all along but his was the year they switched to the new SAT and no one knew how to prep for it. Anyway some things to consider. On ACT his English score was super strong a 34 but his Reading was lower and his Math in between. He always struggled on the Science. The ACT is a much faster test and my son does not read quickly so he was really struggling with the time allowed. That said Math is supposed to be easier on the ACT and yet my son’s SAT Math score was much higher and in fact ended up higher than his English SAT even though it was the reverse on the ACT. Have him take the SAT and see what happens. My son ended using his one and only SAT score as the one he sent to colleges. It worked for him because he was pretty much equally strong in English and Math. My youngest son is a senior now and sticking with the ACT because he is for sure weaker in Math and the ACT gives him 75% non math sections vs. 50%. Good luck to your son.