<p>Ok, so I already signed up for the ACT in October. I haven't really started studying (shame on me, I know), but I intend to begin as soon possible. The reason I'm posting is because I'm sort of regretting having signed up. I got a 2250 on the SAT, with 800's on W and CR and a 650 on Math. At first I didn't stress out because I don't intend to major on anything math or science related, and my college counselor told me it's no reason to freak out, but other people that are very knowledgeable about the whole college app process told me that the disproportion looked bad and suggested that I take the ACT. I plan to apply to quite a few top schools, including Ivy Leagues, so based on those goals I have the following questions:</p>
<ol>
<li>Does the 650 put me at a disadvantage, even though I got a 2250 overall?</li>
<li>Is the math on the ACT easier than that of the SAT? </li>
<li>Should I just take the Math SAT ii's instead? How hard are those compared to the ACT and SAT?</li>
</ol>
<p>It’s excellent that you got 800s an W and CR. Math isn’t great but it doesn’t put you at a significant disadvantage. Especially since you’re not going into any major math and/or science related. However, scoring 700+ will definitely boost your chances. Yet, if you got a 650 on SAT I math, then it is unlikely in my opinion that you will score a high 30 on the ACT math. Not only do you get significantly less time for math, but the curve is harsher. This is adverse because the most difficult ACT math questions are almost always harder than the most difficult SAT math questions. Therefore, getting even a few Act math wrong could bring you down to a 31. The Math IIc SAT is harder than the SAT I math as it is based primarily on Precalculus, however the curve is pretty generous and it isn’t too hard at all to score >700.</p>
<p>The only problem with the ACT in general is that there’s always a time rush – but if you can stay focused, it shouldn’t be a problem. I only remember 1 precalc question on the whole test that I took (last December). </p>
<p>The SAT II math is a joke, it really had about 4 questions on concepts that I had learned after freshman year.</p>
<p>Take the ACT for these reasons: 1) Your 650 will hurt you some at the most selective schools because on the “common data set”, which all colleges must submit on their incoming freshman, the SAT CR & M are reported seperately, thus your 650 may be below certain schools 25th percentile …however they only have to report the total composite score of the ACT, so your lower math score doesn’t hurt their “stats” 2) Students who are good, fast readers tend to score better on the ACT 3) The M section is only 1/4 of the ACT composite score, but 1/2 of the SAT (excluding writing)…still a 1450 is a great score, nothing to fret over, I just think you may score even higher on the ACT.</p>
<p>I would definitely take the ACT anyways, if you do poorly on the October test colleges will still be very impressed with you 1450/2250. I personally think the ACT is easier because it has a science section which puts less weight on the other 3 parts of the test. Then again I’m a bit biased because I got a 34 on the ACT but a 1960 on the SAT so take my advice for what it is.</p>