<p>YOudon'tsay, the ACT science, as others have noted, is different from what many expect science would be. It requires reading & interpretation. Even a student who is good in science would benefit from taking some practice ACT tests. </p>
<p>I really encourage taking both tests, if the student is willing to do so. It just makes sense (unless, of course, the first test score was so high that taking the other test is a moot point :) ).</p>
<p>Jocan points out what I try to tell everyone: many great schools (including Tufts, FYI) require EITHER the ACT with writing OR the SAT and TWO SAT II subject tests. For us, taking one test vs. three was a no-brainer. The ACT is gaining in popularity; DS, college frosh only took it, as will junior son. There is a possibility son #2 will take an SAT II for a particular school, but only one. ACT doesn't penalize for wrong answers, doesn't send all test scores, only the ones you choose, and I'm really a fan. It does require some test prep in terms of how to take the test--sections start out with easier questions getting harder as you progress, and you have to manage your time. I believe Harvey Mudd and the California state schools are the only ones that don't take the ACT. Anyway, repetitions of other posters, but another yes for the ACT.</p>
<p>SJTH, </p>
<p>FYI, Beginning with the current admissions cycle, Mudd accepts ACT.</p>
<p>Interesting--thanks Stevedad!</p>
<p>I took the SAT and don't even remember what I got on it because I ended up sending my ACT scores to all my colleges. I would disagree with anyone that thinks the ACT is a lot easier than the SAT...it's just different. Rather than only testing (essentially) 2 topics, the ACT tests 4. This is an advantage for some and a disadvantage for others. For me, it was an advantage.</p>
<p>Apparently, the ACT is more common in midwestern schools and the SAT is more common in east coast schools. I applied and was accepted to UVa, which requires SAT2s, which I did not take. However, since the ACT subscores in some particular fashion, UVa accepted my ACT scores as both my SAT and SAT2 scores. I have no idea if this practice is commonplace.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned above that a benefit to the ACT is the fact that you don't have to send scores anywhere, and I would like to expand upon that. With the ACT, you can choose not to send your scores to any school. If you take the ACT multiple times, you can choose which scores to send. (Obviously, this is not the case with the SAT.) Some schools will even "superscore" ACT subscores to create the highest possible composite score. Let's say you decide to send 2 ACT scores to each school and you got a 29 on math, a 26 on english, a 30 on science, and a 32 on reading as well as a 30 on math, a 24 on english, a 31 on science, and a 30 on reading. If the school superscores, your final composite would be determined from a 30 on math, a 26 on english, a 31 in science, and a 32 in reading.</p>
<p>Another topic brought up here is the "correction" for guessing. Here's something that I realized when preparing for the SAT: While it is possible to lose points for guessing randomly, if the student can eliminate one choice from the answers (making 4 possible answers) he or she tremendously increases his or her chances for still getting points. If this student plays out to the 1-in-4 odds of choosing the correct answer by guessing on 4 questions and only getting 1 right, his net benefit is .25 point (1 right - 3x.25 wrong), rather than getting zero for not guessing at all. This is a small point that few students realize and I have yet to see publicized anywhere.</p>
<p>And for what it's worth, the people at the ACT are so much easier to deal with than the CollegeBoard!</p>
<p>All in all, it would be worth his while to take the ACT. What does he have to lose?</p>