<p>How does one decide whether to take the ACT or not? Are there studies out there on who does better on the ACT than SAT based on certain strengths and weaknesses, or do people simply take a practice ACT, see they did better on it than an SAT, so they move forward with taking the real ACT.</p>
<p>Look at the structure of the ACT and SAT. For example, the ACT generally has easier questions but there are more and less time for each section (or time per question) so fast students may do better on the ACT.</p>
<p>Your best bet is to take a couple practice exams for each, and see what you think.</p>
<p>I recommend taking both to see which test you do better on, but don’t send your scores for either test to any school until you have them in hand and can see which score is higher. I took each test 3 times (which is a little excessive of course) but I could tell that I did much better on the ACT. It’s all up to the person.</p>
<p>I’d take both at least once, close to the same date (So your knowledge level is similar). Whichever one you do better on, that’s the one you’re probably better at. If they are close scores, whichever one you felt better about would be the better choice. I did better on the SAT by around 100 points (When you compare the ACT’s SAT equivalent), within around a month. Some of my friends did the exact opposite. Yet, there was no obvious reason as to why each person did better.</p>
<p>If you don’t have the money to take that many tests, and you don’t qualify for SAT/ACT waivers, at least compare your scores on practice tests taken in similar environments (Timed, no distractions, etc.)</p>