Should I take the SAT? @XAtlas @kaukauna @anotherdude
@mkumar17 I wouldn’t. An ACT of 35 is fine (getting a 36 wouldn’t really change anything either), but I would try taking it once. In my opinion, I feel like an SAT score is worth more. I say this because usually students around me take ACTs because they did not do as well as they wished on the SAT. I feel as though the ACT test is more robotic that only challenges the student to be able to answer simple questions as fast they can. Although the SATs are also fairly simple, I feel as though it still tests more of a student in the realm of “critical thinking.” Of course, I am not saying people who do not score well on either test is necessarily “not smart,” but I am saying that SATs, though still insufficient, holds more value upon an individual than the ACTs. Thus, I do not necessarily agree with how people equate 2400’s to 36’s or rather 2350~ to a 35. Nonetheless, both tests are inadequate. Still, with the implementations on the new version of the SAT (of which I am not that knowledgable of), I feel as though the SATs are taking a step in the better direction. TLDR you do not have to but why not
Would it be a step forward in limiting the impact of my weak gpa? And how about the subject tests? @XAtlas
@mkumar17 Once again, you cannot “limit” the impact of your GPA. When you are applying to competitive and selective schools, there is no real room for you to “make up” for weaknesses in your application (although there are obvious exceptions) because of the amount of competitive applicants. You have to understand there are tens of thousands of students that have high scores and high GPAs. As for subject tests, I highly recommend taking Math Level 2 (try to get an 800 because even a perfect score puts you around 70th percentile) and Chemistry or Physics if you are applying to the Engineering, CS, or Science schools. I know quite a few peers as well as myself that took at least 3 subject tests (usually Math level 2 and 2 sciences or more) even though I believe they only require 2 (and I believe they specify this on their website. Aside from all these tests, try to improve your GPA and stack your resume as much as you can with preference over quality.