ACT vs SAT

<p>I just started studying for the ACT last week, took a practice English test and got a 25 (working on that as we speak).</p>

<p>Anyways, when it comes to the Academy, what would be looked at the most? The ACT or the SAT?</p>

<p>I have two years of High School left, so I planned on working on the ACT this summer (my high school takes it in March for free, but I’ll probably take it in September to see if I need to improve before March). Then next summer I plan to work on the SAT, take that sometime in September or October, and get it done in time to send the scores to whoever needs then (MoC or the Academy itself).</p>

<p>I don’t want to spend all my time on a test that is not looked at as favorably as the other.</p>

<p>Thanks to anyone who can help.</p>

<p>the Academy will use your highest scores either from the SATs or ACTs. Some people do better on one than the other. For me, it was the ACTs. For my best friend, it was the SAT. It just depends on you. But the Academy doesn't care or look more favorably on one or the other.</p>

<p>That's exactly right. They'll take your highest scores without preference.</p>

<p>Awesome. Thanks for the quick answers. I'm glad the Academy is flexible like that.</p>

<p>I heard the SAT had a lot of vocab on it; which isn't a problem for me, I've always been good at learning words.</p>

<p>I'm a little concerned about the English though (I took another pre-test today and got a 27 :) - 4 more right than before - so maybe I'll get better with the more practice tests I do).</p>

<p>Just to add more data, I did WAY better on my SAT than my ACT, not sure why, but like everyone said, it's different for everyone</p>

<p>I've been looking at the SAT and it actually looks easier than the ACT, at least in terms of things you have to do. There's like 300 vocab words, and a math section. Doesn't the SAT give you the formulas at the beginning anyways?</p>

<p>BTW, does the Academy care about the Writing Section of the SAT?</p>

<p>Could taking the ACT and SAT too many times be a bad thing. I will be a sophomore in high school and I have not taken either test yet. However, I have been studying. But I plan to take the ACT first, fix my problems, then begin working on the SAT. </p>

<p>I know that the object of the tests is to get the highest score I can, but I also heard that some colleges don't like it when people take the test many times. I guess it makes you look desperate. Would anybody on the forums know what the Academy's outlook on this is?</p>

<p>The Academy likes you to take the tests multiple times, to show you are dedicated to becoming better. The Academy will take your highest scores, no matter when you took them. Most colleges and universities will only either take your highest composite score, or the most recently taken test. If you are planning on also applying to another school, you may want to see how they "accept" the tests.</p>

<p>You need to find out if the colleges you want to apply to superscore. The AFA does superscore and your online app has your superscore, however they also have your official transcript which shows how many times you took each and your scores. I do not know if it matters, realize that your entire packet goes up against a board, they all score you, your SAT, GPA and rank are apart of the review packet. SO is your EC's...I think many applicants spend too much time worried about their scores and not enough time working on the CFA or EC...you need to be the best in the entirety, not just 1 area! Look up the class profiles and see where you stand I believe SAT M median was 658...so shoot for 700! SAT V was 620?...Shoot for the 1400/1600 marker, and make sure your CFA is fantastic...this is one area you can only blame yourself. If you don't practice, practice, practice and try to max then you allowed them to take the points off. This is not about well I read the question wrong or it was between x and y I chose y or the coach put me on 2nd string...you control it...If you practice the CFA you will show improvement and it will help in BCT...if you just show up and do it, than that was your choice.</p>

<p>This is also true for the EC's you need to be able to manage your time, but you need to show the SA's that you are not just about scholastics. The AFA is a pressure cooker, they are looking for the kid who has everything...physically fit, academically advanced and able to be a leader while juggling multiple tasks!</p>

<p>Make sure you take the PSAT for National Merits Scholarship...this is something you canput on your applications to be a finalist...must score 95% to be considered for it. In our school system you cannot take the PSAT until you have Geometry completed. The PSAT will also help you prepare for the type of questions that will be asked on the SAT.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p>Since I have only completed one year of high school, I have not had geometry yet. I have only taken Algebra I and II and did very well in them. (100% on my Alg. II final exam) Should I take the tests before I finish Geometry and try to improve my scores later or wait until I have a firm understanding of Geometry?</p>

<p>If money for the test isn't too big a deal, I would take them now so you can get a better feel for what to study for. You can just realize that you will not know all the geometry questions, besides, it felt like geometry was only a small portion of the test. I took it freshman year and without any review did fine on those parts senior year.</p>

<p>Interesting that you were able to take Alg II without Geometry, both NC and VA require Geo before Alg II. Since you are a rising sophomore, I suggest you wait and get the most math available to you under your belt. That means take geometry, it maybe only a few questions, but a few questions makes the difference between an NMSF and a non-NMSF. It also can make the difference of being selected for SLS in yor rising Sr. yr. Don't take the test for the sake of taking it! Buy the books, practice on-line (college board has available test questions) and get the best score you can get. Do you really want to spend 1 Sat a month doing this test and paying for it ea. time? If the answer is yes, then go for it, if it is you want to get the best score right away than use the practice books and the online tests and take it in Dec - May of your Jr. yr. It also helps if you are taking AP classes for the SAT...it will get you in the mindset of how they test. I am not saying take AP classes, I am just saying that AP tests will give a broader scope. You can buy any and all of these books at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Books A Million. When you get the method of how they ask the question, than you will do just fine!</p>

<p>Here is the question of the day from college board:

[quote]
Part of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.</p>

<p>One time a candidate for the Democratic nomination for United States president in 1972, Shirley Chisholm won 152 delegates before withdrawing from the race.</p>

<p>A. One time
B. She was
C. Being
D. To be
E. As </p>

<p>
[quote]
Choice (E) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by using the preposition “As” to indicate the capacity in which Shirley Chisholm “won 152 delegates

[/quote]
</p>