<p>I've been studying SAT for a while and resently I heard about ACT.
People say that ACT is more about science and knowledge...
What is the difference between ACT and SAT?
And do people tend to do well on ACt than SAT?</p>
<p>there are big differences between the two. the major one being that the SAT is more about comprehension and involves writing. THe ACT is completely multiple choice and has a lot more to do with just knowing the answer. Another difference is that the SAT is divided into about 5-7 sections that are quite long (the test is long itself) where as the ACT is much shorter. People tend to do better on the ACT (espcially me). the questions are easier and there’s no writing (the answers are all in front of you). hope that helps</p>
<p>Universities usually require either SAT OR ACT, not both, right? So if I’m such person who does better on ACT, can I send my ACT score only? It actually helps. I’ll try to compare my practice scroes and see if I do better on ACT.</p>
<p>bump bump bump bump</p>
<p>what cm09 said isn’t completely true…
about the writing, almost all the top good universities require writing for the ACT. However, the writing section is different. Instead of giving you a quote and asking you to support your thoughts w/ history, literature, etc., the ACT gives you a simple opinion and you must take a stance and explain (ex: should schools have uniforms?)…</p>
<p>For the difficulty of the test, it honestly varies person to person. I know many very smart people that do really well on the SAT, but terrible on the ACT (and vice versa). I’d take a practice test to see which one’s easier for you. The biggest issue on ACT is timing…you don’t get nearly as much time on the ACT as on the SAT.</p>
<p>Personally, the ACTs easier for me, but it’s not necessarily an easier test or easier for everyone by any means.</p>
<p>Regarding sending only your ACT score, I’m not sure what the deal is with the new SAT score choice, but my counselor told me that if I send in my SAT II scores, colleges will see my SAT scores…but I’m not sure if that’s 100% true with the new Score Choice (I don’t really understand the new Score Choice option to be honest)</p>
<p>But colleges will ultimately look at your best score (even if you send in SATs and ACTs)</p>
<p>I took both the ACT and SAT, and personally did better on the ACT (34 on ACT, 2200 on SAT). ACT is much more “achievement based” than the SAT, which seemed alot more “logic based”. This is particularly evident in the math, where the ACT seems more like an SAT subject test in math. The timing is important to note though, as on the SAT I finished early almost every time, but felt very rushed during the ACT. The ACT also includes science (which is mostly data interpretation) where the SAT does not. So depends on your strengths I suppose. I did better on the ACT, but it felt more “painful” to take than the SAT. haha</p>
<p>I got a 33 on the ACT, but only got an 8 of 12 on the essay. I hope this wont hurt me getting into colleges.</p>
<p>BTW, its funny because where im from, a 33 on the ACT is unheard of. I told 1 person my score over spring break and when i came back to school i was like a celebrity. Then i come on here and it is just another number haha</p>
<p>I heard that 3x the people get 36’s than those who got a 2400. 'Nuff said?</p>
<p>The ACT requires no outside science knowledge (although background info never hurt anyone). It does have a science section, but this is testing your logic/ability to interpret information you are already provided.</p>
<p>Also, I would not say the ACT is any easier than the SAT. Many people really struggle with the science portion, and there is a strong argument for the math being more in-depth on the ACT. CC kids may not, generally speaking, find these sections to be challenging, but many others do. So in reality, which test you believe is easier is merely a personal preference. I recommend taking practice tests of each to determine what you are most comfortable with, then play to your strengths.</p>
<p>And yes, universities typically do not require both. However, it is important to note that some schools require SAT subject tests regardless of which test you took.</p>
<p>If you’re still in doubt, just take both. There’s no harming in having more scores to pick from, particularly with the new score choic options.</p>
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<p>I’m always confused by statements like these. If more people “do well” on the ACT, wouldn’t that just mean that higher scores are worth less? Percentile-wise, the SAT and ACT would have to be equally difficult, right?</p>
<p>Personally, I did much better on the SAT than on the ACT. I personally like the SAT better, and I thought it was easier than the ACT. Apparently, SAT involves how you think/thinking skills, etc etc, while ACT measures what you learned. I was pretty rushed during the ACT, but the SAT was nice. I agree with Dana, because I guess it all depends. I know some people who do better on the ACT than on the sat, while there are people like me who do better on the SAT. But personally, I always thought that colleges placed more emphasis on the SAT, but I’m probably wrong, as I read somewhere that colleges are now looking at ACT more… I really don’t know, heh. So yeah, I don’t know if my opinion helped, so :)</p>
<p>colleges have no preference between ACT and SAT…
I used to believe the myth that colleges preferred SAT, but really, they don’t really care which one you take…
just take the one you do better at!</p>