<p>So for my first SAT I got around a 1640 and I plan on retaking it in June. However, I am also signed up for the ACT in June.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anybody here has had a dramatic difference in their ACT score vs their SAT. I know that I am terrible at the SAT math, and yet I did some practise problems of ACT math and I was getting them right consistently, something I struggle with on the SAT. Has anybody done bad on the SAT and then really good on the ACT, or do you generally do the same for both?</p>
<p>I do generally similar. But I score better on the ACT. That is mostly due to the science section though. And I just like the ACT structure better.</p>
<p>I had a pretty dramatic difference. I definitely do a lot better on the act. I got an act of 32( almost 33) but my sat was 1230/1600(equivalent of about a 27 on the act.</p>
<p>Wow, I actually did worse on the ACT, but mostly because of my limited access to science classes with my IB schedule, so I struggled on the Science section. I got a 2190 (1520/1600) on the SAT, and a 29 on the ACT.</p>
<p>I got an 1100/1600 on SAT and a 30 on the ACT one week apart! The SAT reading did me in with a 485 and a week later I scored a perfect 36 on the ACT reading! I guess that extra week taught me how to read! I am furious at the SAT and hope they loose business as a result of ( not a different test) a completely unfair and irrelevant exam. Some students get the hang of it and do well ( not smarter just figure out the test) while others in appropriately struggle. I do not want to hear the cliche that its a " different" type of test. My God we are staking college careers on this irrelevant exam!</p>
<p>Most people would do similarly well in both tests, however, many people also found them doing better in one test or the other. Usually the difference is small though. But anyway, taking both test would give you the opportunity to find out which one is better for you and increase you chance for school applications and merit aids. My D got 2090 in SAT and 35 in ACT, both first attempt.</p>
<p>I have not taken the actual SAT, but I did take the PSAT (202) and several practice sections of the SAT (blue book). I struggled a lot with the trick questions. Also, I know I would probably get only an 8-9 on the essay, so that would hurt my score. The fact that it tests vocab is also a turn of for me…</p>
<p>I got a 34 the first time I took the ACT (29 in math brought me down). When I took it the second time I got a 35. All I did to prep for the ACT was take two practice tests to gauge the time limits. I definitely prefer the straightforwardness of the ACT, but it might not be as approachable to people who struggle with focusing (since the sections are so long). I’d definitely give it a shot if I were you though!</p>
<p>I guess the ACT is better for smart kids who are not especially strong in math, since 3 of the 4 tests are not math, unlike the more math heavy SAT.</p>
<p>SAT is 1/3 math while the ACT is 1/4 math, but it also has a lot of math-related questions in the science section, so I wouldn’t say the SAT is that much more math heavy.</p>
<p>The ACT is more advanced math, which could be a disadvantage for people not strong in math because there might be question on topics they have not yet covered in math classes. The SAT math is trickier because of the wording, in my opinion, but the trickery becomes a lot more obvious when you go over multiple practice tests. The ACT doesn’t score choice, so if you have a bad math score, that could ruin your entire composite. On the SAT, you could always retake it and focus on improving the math score.</p>
<p>@SeattleSol - I am in the same situation as you. I ended up with a 1630 and I have taken the SAT 3 times. I am also taking the ACT in June. Just clear your head and don’t think that your SAT and ACT scores will be parallel. I have totally deleted the SAT and the ideas related to the SAT from my head and I am working on my goal to score a 30+ on the ACT.
All the best mate</p>
<p>@Rashel, it is not dramatic but the ACT score is a notch higher than your SAT score. A 30 is roughly a 1980-2000. You may be better suited to the ACT.</p>
<p>The ACTs tend to favor math-oriented students, in my opinion. I got a 204 on the PSAT but I scored a 34 on the ACT (equivalent to a 228) a month before.</p>
<p>2120 on the SAT with summer class preparation and multiple practice tests
35 on ACT with little/no prep (took one practice test for each of the 3 sections the week before the test)</p>
<p>For me personally, the ACT was a godsend. However, my school typically does better on ACT and that may vary for others who believe that SAT is easier.</p>
<p>2000 SAT
32 ACT
I also found ACT math to be a lot easier. I just couldn’t understand SAT math and my score actually went down after tutoring lmao</p>