<p>I've taken the ACT, but not the SAT. However, I plan on taking it later this year.<br>
What should I expect the SAT to be like? I know there are three sections--Critical reading, math, and writing, and that the highest score for each section is 800. That's about all I know about it. The SAT just seems so much more daunting than the ACT. Could you give me a run down of the test and how it is different from the ACT? (As in, compare the ACT reading section to the SAT reading section. I know the SAT is supposed to be more about innate test taking ability while the ACT is more content driven.)</p>
<p>I can’t really help much with content (because I haven’t seen a recent ACT test, other than essay topics), but I can give you a few differences:</p>
<p>(1 ) Timing. You have to answer ACT questions faster than SAT questions if you are going to get through all of them in the time allotted. I think on average you have a minute per SAT question, but only 30-45 seconds per ACT question. </p>
<p>(2) There is no wrong answer penalty on the ACT.</p>
<p>(3) The ACT essay topic is always something “relevant” to high school students, like “should high schools have the right to regulate content in the student newspaper?”</p>
<p>(4) The ACT is shorter overall - by about 50 minutes if you don’t do the writing section, by 20 minutes if you do.</p>
<p>The main difference is that the SAT is a better exam to take.</p>
<p>Dudecollege, that was a really stupid response. Which test is better to take depends on the student- some do better on SAT, some on ACT.</p>
<p>To the OP- get a practice book for the SAT and try doing a practice test, even if in one section per day. Ypu won’t be trying to get an accurate prediction of what you will score but just to become more familiar with the test. The ACT is very similar to tests that are normally given in schools as standardized tests. The SAT is not at all the same. The reading test includes a lot of vocabulary. THe math has questions worded in a way that doesn’t happen anywhere else except the SAT and PSAT. The essay portion is very different too. Get a book or at least go to the College Board site and try out sample questions.</p>
<p>searching your other posts…you would be wasting your time to take the SAT after posting a 35 composite. My guess is that you messed up the essay by not responding properly – you have to recognize the opposing point and then say why it is wrong. With score choice, retake the ACT. Look at a couple of prep books for examples on how to write the essay. The ACT essay format is different from what you would typically write in HS.</p>
<p>But to answer your question, the SAT math is much different. It includes a lot of reasoning, but stops at Alg II; thus, no trig problems. ACT math is much more straightforward; they just make you focus on speed. In contrast, CB include the classic SAT average rate-speed problem: If a train leaves Chicago heading east at xx mph while at the same time a train leaves Cleveland heading west at yy mph…</p>
<p>I agree with most stated above.
ACT you have to watch your time on the Math and the Science
SAT has a lot of vocab and ACT doesn’t
You lose 1/4 point for every incorrect answer on SAT so you should only guess if you can eliminate to the answers.
ACT has no penalty for a wrong answer to you should always fill in the answer sheet even if you didn’t have time to read the question.</p>
<p>It is my understand that the SAT and ACT use the same outside company to grade the essays. The topics maybe different but the grading system is the same for the essay.</p>
<p>You need to get a practice SAT book. Don’t take the test until you have done a time practice at home for each section (not all in one sitting - that would be sick).</p>
<p>Sounds like the ACT is that much easier. Since I finish every section 10 - 15 minutes early in the SAT, I should be fine for the ACT? I got it this Saturday… Wish me good luck</p>
<p>The ACT is NOT ‘that much easier’ bcos, it it was, 36’s would be had by the masses.</p>
<p>Good luck, however. </p>
<p>P.S. The Science is all about speed reading charts and graphs – little science background required. Save the dueling-scientists passage last – most kids waste too much time on it, and every correct question is just as good as another.</p>