<p>I cannot seem to raise my SAT scores to the scores that I am aiming for. Out of frustration, should I try taking the ACT? I did some of their practice tests and felt it was easier except for the science parts. But personally, I thought it was quite different the SAT, so I cannot really compare the two.</p>
<p>What have you heard about the ACT compared to SAT?</p>
<p>I have no direct information on this topic except to parrot other posts which indicate that students tend to do better in one format. If you feel unsatisfied with the SAT scores, by all means take the ACT.</p>
<p>I took both. You will most likely do better on the ACT if you prefer studying and taking a test based purely on that information. For example, the reading questions on the ACT are straight-forward, whereas on the SAT, you will have to think a little more. However, the negative about the ACT is, many students have trouble with time-management.</p>
<p>If you're looking for a high score, I'd definitely take both. There are aspects of the two tests that evaluate different areas, and you might find that you'll do much better on the ACT.</p>
<p>Personally I did about the same on both. I found that the ACT questions were easier, but I had much more trouble managing my time. I thought I had lots of time to check my answers on the SAT, but it's longer and I'm not great on vocab.</p>
<p>Here's some information about it. The</a> SAT at a Glance</p>
<p>I know a lot of people feel the ACT is easier or that it tests things that are more practical. I think you ought to know that this is not necessarily true of everyone. I got roughly the same score on my ACT as I did on my SAT (according to ACT Inc's chart, if you're interested in how the scores stack up look it up on Wikipedia). </p>
<p>Also where I live, New Jersey, there are barely any test centers for the ACT. I think the one I took it may be the only one in the state since the next closest one listed on the ACT website was in Brooklyn. I had to drive an hour on the Parkway to take it. I think that may be an important consideration for you. SAT test centers seem to be everywhere.</p>
<p>Oh and I'll confirm the statements about time management, the ACT was the only standardized test I ever took where I ran out of time for any section (and I took the PSAT, SAT, Terranova, HSPA, ACT, and three SAT subject tests).</p>
<p>I got a 2120 on the SAT, which still isn't quite high enough for the schools that I'm applying to. I decided to give the ACT a try and I'm studying with a tutor for it right now. Biggest differences? For one thing, it has a science section. Fortunately, you don't actually have to KNOW science. It's mostly interpreting graphs and charts. I think you'll find the ACT to be much easier. The SAT is all about knowing the strategy for taking the test, whereas the ACT is just basic knowledge. The questions are not tricky or difficult to figure out, but you are within tighter time constraints. For instance, the writing section is 75 questions, and you only have 45 minutes to complete the section. That being said, all the questions in that section are simply basic grammar. I would say most of them you can answer in no more than 10 seconds, with the occasional question that you have to read twice over to get the right answer.
I would recommend taking some classes with a tutor or with a prep class if you have time. The most difficult part for me is switching my mindset over from the SAT to the ACT. I keep tending to doubt my answers because I'm worried that they're too simple, but on the ACT that's just the way the are. Best of luck to you and please feel free to send me a message with any questions!</p>
<p>Hmm. It's just personal preference I guess. I'm taking both and if I need to, I'll retake one of them. I guess you can try that. These evil tests=a lame, huge waste of my limited time. :D</p>
<p>wow, thanks for your replies! =)</p>
<p>The SAT and ACT are similar tests. The reasons that students miss questions has more to do with personal error patterns (aka bad test taking habits) than lack of subject knowledge. Both are standardized tests trying to achieve consistency, and understanding this fact tells you a great deal about both tests. For example, despite offering numerous tests each year, the number of questions answered correctly will give you approximately the same scaled score on each test.</p>
<p>I've found that learning to problem solve is the key to increasing your score on both the SAT and ACT...and it will also help increase your score on the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc. Just realize that all of these tests have one goal in mind--to achieve consistent results, a bell curve. In order to do so, the test writers study student trends and pretest questions. If you want your score to improve, learn to take the test differently.</p>
<p>I think that you would fare quite well taking the ACT. For one, the SAT focuses much more on critical thinking skills than the ACT, which I saw to be more equatable with rote. I'm not a very bright person, and I'll admit this up front. I can memorize and implicate things such as vocabulary words into my speech much better than I could ever solve some sort of complex mathematical problem, and this is the specific trait that, I believe, gave me a much better ACT score. Of course, the ACT doesn't necessarily test one's vocabulary, but the style of questions are more suited towards things which can be readily studied and learned.</p>
<p>My SAT score was a 1620 and my ACT score was a 33 (close to 34).</p>