ACT or SAT: Both average scores

Test Preparation
1

Hello!!

I took both the ACT and SAT in June (without studying) just to see which one I could do better on but when I got my scores back, I got a pretty average score on both of them. I scored a little higher on the SAT, so I started to practice for that a couple of days ago but after I started practice, I don’t think I have the ability to raise it. I am more comfortable writing the SAT essay than the ACT essay, but I think my scores beg to differ. My goal is to get 30 or above for the ACT and above 1350 for the SAT.

Here are my scores:

ACT: 27
English: 29
Math: 23
Reading: 29
Science: 28
Essay: 7

SAT: 1230
Reading & Writing: 580
Math: 650
Essay: 5|4|5

I’m a senior and I’m planning to retake these tests before December, but with the limited amount of time I have, I need to focus on only one.

Which test score would I be able to raise faster?

2

Here’s what I like about the SAT: I think that small changes are easier to see.

Because it’s out of 1600, not 36, even small gains will show up. It takes a more significant jump to go from 27 to 28 on the ACT than 1230 to 1250 or1280 or1300 on the SAT.

The other thing you might want to consider is where you’re most likely to show improvement: verbal or math.
On the ACT, math was your weakest area, but it was Reading & Writing on the SAT. Which area are you most likely to be able to improve?

3

Your scores say you lean to the ACT prep math/science and retake.

Just so you know average is way under 27 …just on CC where everyone gets 34-36 it seems average.