<p>1700 Sat's and 27 ACT's for me?</p>
<p>Guess I'm a bit off the initial thread topic, but this is interesting.</p>
<p>Chris - fascinating site and one I will recommend that people take a look at. The prep book review portion seems to have definite potential.</p>
<p>Not sure about the professionals, but amateur psychometricians have made a number of attempts to correlate tests that purport to measure the degree to which the intellectual "butter knife can be sharpened" under the IQ or g label. Some of them can be found in the websites of High-IQ societies. For example - <a href="http://www.eskimo.com/%7Emiyaguch/megadata/megacorr1.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.eskimo.com/~miyaguch/megadata/megacorr1.html</a></p>
<p>Personally, I would be surprised if there wasn't a positive correlation between verbally-oriented sections on SAT/ACT tests and verbal portions of IQ tests. And the same would go for mathematical/quantitive sections, due to the similarity of questions. My guess is that performance on Raven's Progressive Matrices-type questions would correlate more strongly to the mathematical side, but that is just speculation.</p>
<p>What does performance really mean? Hard to say, but certain tests can measure proficiency needed for specific jobs and occupations quite well. Though I'm sure most CC members can think of at least one person who can score in the 99th% plus on almost any exam and function in the 10-15th percentile when it comes to common sense and social skills.</p>
<p>My point is, the SAT simply requires higher thought processes than the ACT. I got a 25 on the math section and I hadn't taken algebra yet. It obviously does not require you to exert yourself to the degree the SAT does. Further, the ACT favors guessing, so it's easier to get a fluke high score.</p>
<p>Also, if I qualified for a top-50 school in 7th grade, I wouldn't be talking about college right now. I'd be talking about getting a job. If you're judging me based on that, I think you're being a little tough, lol.</p>
<p>"The SAT requires higher thought processes than the ACT." I am not sure what you mean there. Do you mean that SAT problems are more complicated or harder to understand than those on the ACT? </p>
<p>I would agree SAT problems are harder to understand, but once you get past that the math skills required are very elementary, I would argue. Indeed, when I think of SAT prep, I think of asking "what is this problem really trying to say?". But when I think of ACT prep, I think of "How do I this problem? I remember learning it in school, but now I have forgotten how to do it."</p>
<p>I would argue that the SAT is more pedantic than the ACT, and I dont know that that makes it necessarily more advanced. But I would certainly agree that a typical SAT problem, math, is harder to understand than an ACT problem.</p>
<p>My comment on your score was not intended to be critical, rather I was asking why you quoted a rather ordinary score in an argument that the ACT was compratively easy - admittedly, I neglected to read that it was in 7th grade score(Duke TIPS?) - as they say: my bad.</p>
<p>Different people have different strengths and weaknesses, so take both tests and see which you do better on. Personally, I did better ont he ACT (34 compared to 1430/2190) but thats just me. </p>
<p>Another plus to the ACT - you get to choose which scores you send, so you can take the test how every many times you want and show your best composite score to your colleges.</p>
<p>
I got a 25 on the math section and I hadn't taken algebra yet.
</p>
<p>I don't get it. A 25, while not a bad score by any means, is not a great score either. It's nothing special, and it's what I would expect a relatively bright person to get if they hadn't taken any real algebra classes yet.</p>
<p>There are 11 points for improvement. That's a lot...</p>
<p>Sorry if I sound overly critical. That's not my intent. I just don't see how your getting a 25 in math means the ACT requires "lower thought processes" than the SAT. Now if it was a 35 in the math without any algebra classes, you might have a point...</p>
<p>My point is that 25 is an above average score among all ACT test takers, and if someone can get an above average score before taking any of the classes that (chances are) everyone else has taken, it is easier to get a higher score.</p>
<p>Also, 7th graders haven't really had the chance to develop a higher intelligence level that the SAT requires yet. I'm just saying that for people who aren't really smart, the ACT is going to be easier.</p>
<p>I guess my point really is:
The ACT tries to find out what you know.
The SAT tries to find out how well you can keep from being confused. (I think this requires more intelligence, I guess I can't speak for everyone else.)</p>
<p>I just took the SAT in May and I received a less than average score (1450/2250). I am very ashamed. You don’t have to remind me. I was wondering if it would be better for me to take the ACT instead this fall. I need to take it this fall, because I plan on applying for an AROTC scholarship in December.</p>
<p>The ACT is not easier. Science=pure evil :(</p>
<p>Weird, science is my second best section. Well, third I guess…</p>
<p>What is the purpose of the vocab on the SAT…to see who can memorize the most obscure words? Or is it to reward those who fork out the money for the prep classes?</p>
<p>I think it’s testing your ability to use context clues. And POE.</p>
<p>A large vocabulary is indicative of high intelligence. On many IQ tests they feature vocabulary problems comparable to SAT questions, another indicator that the SAT does serve as an estimate of IQ.</p>
<p>Well here on my two cents on the ACT vs. SAT:</p>
<p>On the ACT English section, you are drilled on grammar rules. However, you are also drilled on rhetoric, which is just as important as grammar. On the SAT, it is pure grammar and because some rules they test you on are arcane, the grammar section of the SAT is slightly harder.</p>
<p>The SAT CR is noteably harder than the lowly ACT Reading. On the SAT, you are drilled on difficult vocab, an important concept that the ACT oddly forgets to test on their exams. Additionally, SAT questions require indepth and critical thought whereas the ACT questions are superficial and for the most part are a complete and utter joke. HOWEVER, the ACT has a harsh time limit, making it difficult to answer all the questions (not that difficult though). So, the SAT is harder than the ACT reading…period.</p>
<p>The SAT tests ONLY basic math concepts whereas the ACT will go as far as trig, a subject a few unlucky students havent fully learned come test time. However, once again, the SAT math requires critical thought that demands intimate knowledge of seemingly basic rules where as the ACT questions are elementary at best. Timing is not usually a problem on either exam though.</p>
<p>Now here is where the ACT has something the SAT does not, a science section. This test, while a complete disgrace to standarized testing, is moderately difficult. You are given 35 minutes to answer 40 questions about experiments/“science,” and you will be rushed through it every time. HOWEVER, as previously noted, this section underscores the idiotic nature of the ACT. “Science reasoning” is simply not a fair measure of ones understanding of science. Students can come into that test winning Siemens and score below a 30 whereas the slightly above average student in your AP Bio class can get a 36. I am disgusted everytime I am forced to take this section because true science knowledge is blatantly ignored by the ACT; however, I am forced to concede it is the only truly difficult aspect of this test.</p>
<p>In conclusion,</p>
<p>ACT English, Reading, and Math are all easier than those corresponding tests on the SAT. However, the ACT does have a science test that increases its rigor.</p>
<p>You really don’t like the ACT Rtgrove. :P</p>
<p>Would you say that the SAT is easier to prep for, since you kind of predict what to study and train yourself to think the “SAT” way?</p>
<p>Sorry everybody who does poorly on the SAT, the negative aspect about the bell curve is that it makes mediocrity average by inherent nature.</p>
<p>SAT scores DO correlate to IQ scores.</p>
<p>[Study:</a> SAT a good measure of IQ | Science Blog](<a href=“http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/node/2297]Study:”>http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/node/2297)</p>
<p>Even if you aren’t smart by nature of the SAT, you can take solace in the fact that you have an alternate test that your parents did not have when they were children.</p>
<p>My IQ is probably low, maybe I shouldn’t take the SAT lol</p>
<p>Shizzle- </p>
<p>Regarding which test is easier to study for, I have found it kind of depends on which subject needs improvement. I have spent about a year studying both tests so feel that I at least kind of understanding how to approach review for them.</p>
<p>On English-</p>
<p>The SAT purely tests grammar rules whereas the ACT tests grammar more loosely along with rhetoric. Rhetoric is hard to study while grammar is much easier to learn. Thus, SAT prep on English is MUCH easier than studying for ACT English. HOWEVER, the SAT does have a writing section that AFFECTs your writing grade, so in some aspects the SAT is moderately hard to study for as well.</p>
<p>On Math, the ACT is much easier to study for. There are a limited number of concepts tested on the SAT, no way to argue against that. However, there are a multitude of ways to apply those concepts and there is no way that all of those applications can be studied. Plus, the SAT curve is, in my opinion, evil while the ACT curve is very, very kind (at least usually). Additionally, the ACT concepts are wide (as in SAT concepts + trig), but bc they are superficially tested, they are easy to study for. </p>
<p>On CR, both are hard to study for. The ACT questions though are so darn easy that if you practice speed reading you should be set. However, the SAT has vocab that can be studied. So, on this one idk but prbly still the ACT is easier. However, DEFINATELY easier to get a 36 on ACT reading than on the SAT CR.</p>
<p>Science on the ACT is ,well, mercurial to say the least. I have gotten scores ranging from a 28 (though I really didnt study for it then) to a 36. The only real thing you can do is find a strategy that will help you answer the questions effectively and fine-tuned for you personally. I found my strategy, but it is NOT perfect. Nobody’s strategy works perfectly everytime, but still a strategy always helps. So ya, studying for the science portion is kind of difficult. Just take a bunch of science tests, get a method of attack, and make a note of the types of questions the ACT will throw at you. However, I absolutely hate this test section and think it should be thrown out of the ACT. The SAT 2s do a fine job of testing science though.</p>
<p>Is there any general consensus or opinions of which test is better for an individual that is not great with time management skills? My daughter has taken the SAT twice and says her biggest problem is the stress she puts on herself trying to get through each section. She tends to overanalyze each question which then causes anxiety to get the right answer in a limited period of time. She wants to take the ACT in September but I have heard that the SAT is better for individuals that struggle with time management since the ACT has a faster pace. Does anyone have any thoughts or feedback?</p>
<p>I have never found myself under time pressure for the SAT.</p>
<p>Most of the time you either know the question or you don’t.</p>
<p>IMO, for the ACT it is entirely time management and less about intelligence. </p>
<p>If you are bad at managing time, stick with the SAT, although everybody should take both tests at least once.</p>