Banking on the ACT...

I’m currently a sophomore, and am thinking about banking on the ACT’s and not trying the SAT’s at all. What do you guys think?

Well, take a practice test and see if you like the style of the ACT: Questions are straightforward but the pace of the test is extremely fast. If you like it, then take some time, study for it, and then take the actual ACT.

If you do well, then great, you’re done.

If you do poorly, then either consider taking the ACT again or try the SAT.

Colleges don’t care if you take the ACT or SAT.

this is just a bizarre line of thinking. It’s like going up to bat and telling the umpire you’re content with only two strikes before you’re out.

The combo of both ACT and SAT or to take either is an option for anyone. Why you’d want to declare 2.5 years out – that you’ll only go with one is unnecessary.

1/3 of the people do better on the ACT, 1/3 of the people do better on the SAT, 1/3 of the people do the same on both. I suggest you check out both options and see if one test is better for you.

That’s silly. Even though I knew I likely would do better on the ACT, I still took the SAT.

so if colleges accept both tests, why should i take the SAT at all? Does that weaken my profile and make me look lazy or something?

People are focused on your attitude, not the end result. You haven’t tried both tests to see which you’ll do better on.

Re-read post #3 and figure it out. No one is going to hold your hand

since the sat is changing and i can do one summer prep program, which one should i focus on since i’m still a soph?

As multiple people have already stated, you should focus on the one that is better for YOU. You can’t just guess/hope that you’ll be better at the ACT-- you have to actually put a little effort into it. Take a couple SAT practice tests and a couple ACT practice tests and see which test you do better on and which test you like better, then do the prep class in that test. You don’t HAVE to take both the SAT and the ACT and colleges won’t think you’re lazy for focusing on one. However, many people choose to take both to see which is a better fit. Strangers on an online forum can’t tell you if focusing on the ACT is a good choice for you-- you’re going to have to take practice tests and figure it out for yourself.

fine…i’ll give the sat a try…what prep books do you guys think i should get? the blue college board one or barron’s?

Why don’t you look in the SAT/ACT forum and see what they recommend?