<p>On April 24th I'll be taking the ACT as provided free for every junior in my school. I plan to take the SAT most likely in June or May before summer break. My sister did a lot better on the ACT then the SAT, however we are complete opposites. I am not quite sure which one will be best for me. I am very good at science, which might give me an edge on the act. However, I do have adhd. I have heard it is a lot easier to get additional time on the SAT then the ACT. I got a psat score of 177 and yet my usual state test scores were in the 95 percentile and higher when I had all the time I needed. I am also usually really excellent at math but my psat reading scores were strangely higher. I am not the best at geometry but I am great at algebra.</p>
<p>Basically, my question is where I should go from here. Should I study a little bit before both test and then see which one I do better on to take it in the fall? What are good study guides that don't cost money? (as I don't think I should pay before I take it initially) Is my thinking completely flawed? Should I study a lot before both test? Also, what information can you give if any about getting additional time on the tests?</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’m an SAT/ACT tutor specializing in ADHD students. Of course, most of my students apply for accommodations. I’m not sure if I’d say getting them on the SAT is easier than the ACT; I’ve actually heard others say the ACT is easier. But if you have a clearly documented disability and a 504/IEP plan in school, you will probably qualify.</p>
<p>Consider your April ACT to be a practice test. I wouldn’t necessarily sign up for the SAT until you’e also taken a full length timed practice SAT, too. Based on that, decide which one you want to take then stick with it. It saves you effort and money on practice materials! You can download a free full SAT from the College Board website.</p>
<p>If you’re applying for accommodations, you need to start that process early. Allow at least two months from submitting the application to get an answer, so you’re already probably too late for the June SAT. Talk to your school guidance counselor about how to apply. If you are approved for accommodations, the format of the ACT may be particularly helpful for you, so keep that in mind. I wrote a blog post about it here: [ADHD</a> and the ACT: Why the ACT may be a smarter choice for ADHD students](<a href=“http://www.parentscountdowntocollegecoach.com/2012/03/07/adhd-and-the-act-why-the-act-may-be-a-smarter-choice-for-adhd-students/]ADHD”>http://www.parentscountdowntocollegecoach.com/2012/03/07/adhd-and-the-act-why-the-act-may-be-a-smarter-choice-for-adhd-students/)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Unfortunately my school denied me a 504 plan. They’ve been notorious for this, even for students with severe learning disabilities. They basically denied me because all of my teachers give me extra time on tests anyways. This is why I’ve heard it is almost impossible to get additional on the ACT unless you are documented well from your school. If I’ve heard right, with the SAT the school part is optional and with the ACT it is not.</p>
<p>You can apply for both the ACT and SAT without a 504. The ACT, however, does require that your guidance counselor complete some of the application. The SAT you can do without the school’s involvement, but I don’t recommend it…the non-school option is really only there for home schoolers.</p>
<p>But the reality is without a 504 your chances aren’t good for getting accommodations for either test. Just make sure you have recent diagnostic testing, and it could help to get letters from your teachers attesting to the fact that they give you extra time without a 504.</p>