ACT, SAT, or both?

Hello everyone,
I’m a junior in high school who scored a 32 on the act (32 all 4 sections). I still have half of the year remaining before I become a senior and apply to colleges. I was wondering if you guys/girls would advise I retake the ACT and raise my score or take the SAT instead and have 2 scores. I’m looking to apply to top 50 schools. Please let me know!

I see no reason to have two scores from different years. I would take a timed practice SAT and see how you do and if you like the test format better, then switch. Most testers are better at one over the other.

If you stick with the ACT, make sure to prep well for it before you take it again. I suggest a test date over the summer as you will probably have AP exams in the spring and will want to have good grades ending your junior year.

A 32 is a very good score but you can probably increase that score a point or two with more, focused practice.

32 is pretty good so I would stick with ACT and just do some more prep before you take it again. Plenty of top 50 schools will be options with that score, maybe not top 20 schools though. Depends on the rest of your application.

Some testing centers will let you take a simulation ACT or Sat to see which one is better for you for free. Check those out BUT a 32 is a very good score so I think you are taking the correct test.

My sons tutor used this book a lot and it has great explanations https://www.manhattanprep.com/college/act-5lb-book/

Besides studying try to do several “real” times tests in here like 4 weeks before right up to the week of tests. One a weekend. Take the tests the same time each weekend. Wake up the same time. Eat breakfast. Maybe go to the study room at a library so it’s quite. Take the same breaks and so on.

Getting 33/34 is the sweet spot for many colleges. Your only a few more correct questions away.

One key for my son was he studied his strengths hard and improved his weaknesses,if this makes sense.

It depends…

How hard did you study for the ACT? Did you take a lot of practice tests and they confirmed your score?

Have you taken a practice SAT?

There’s no inherent benefit to having two scores from different tests. There is a concordance between the two so they are interchangeable.

Have you taken an SAT practice test, under actual timed conditions? Comparing that with your ACT score will give you an indication as to which test is better for you. If you score significantly higher on the SAT (1460 or higher), and it feels like a more comfortable test to you, then it may be worth taking. Otherwise, learn from the first ACT and give it another try.

I actually originally studied for the SAT before switching to the ACT. I found I was better at the ACT but didn’t have a problem with the SAT. Anyways, thanks for the advice.

Agreed. Thanks for your advice. I’ve seen that Manhattan Prep book before and I was debating on getting it for some additional tests.

I studied 3 months for the ACT and learned everything. Took practice tests every 2 weeks except the last two weeks where I took multiple tests. I originally studied for the SAT and was never scoring above a 1350 partially because I was unmotivated