Hello! I’m currently a junior, and am studying hard to get all of my testing (ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests) completed before the summer. I’m a little stumped on which test I should focus on and submit my scores. Compared to my peers who are also applying to some prestigious/reach schools, I’m an average math student; I’ve earned exactly 3 A’s and 3 B’s from 9th grade to the first semester of 11th.
So far, I’ve taken one SAT with Essay and scored 1160 overall, only scoring a 540 on math. Though I am rapidly improving in my Pre-Calculus class, I am confused on which test to focus on. My understanding is that I will possibly score higher on the ACT since the math section makes up a smaller fraction of the score; and since I am a fairly well/improving English student, even if my score stayed the same for Math I could likely score higher.
So what are your opinions, preferences, or assumptions on what I should do? Thank you!
Familiarize yourself with the ACT test and take a timed practice test to see how you do compared to the SAT. Get some good subject specific prep guides and close your knowledge gaps (math for certain) - don’t rely on working your way thru Precalc to get you where you need to be. Analyze every mistake on practice tests and learn from your mistakes so you don’t repeat them. If you can afford it, a tutor can really help with your areas of weakness. Good luck!
I took the SAT with essay and made a 1220, with my PSAT score being 1250. I made a 560 in the math section, which brought my score down a lot as my Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score was 660. I’m also around average in math class and am currently in Algebra 2 as a junior. I don’t have any help with SAT studying other than Khan Academy (which is extremely useful, although I wish it wasn’t all digital) and a Kaplan SAT Premier test/guide book.
I’ve also taken the ACT in December. I received a composite score of 30, but the math is what brought me down again, with that being a 26. I started going to a tutor a couple of months before once a day every week. She uses old ACT tests. Math is what most people struggle with in her classes.
Based on browsing through the forums, I’ve seen that people who scored high on the ACT usually scored lower on the SAT or vice versa. (At my school it seems that people score equally high on both tests)
I would say focus on math especially, as that is what will really bring your score down, at least it did for me. Go on Khan Academy, download practice apps, just try to cram as much extra math knowledge as you can. I know I’m still going to retake both tests and am trying to find time to do extra studying.
the ACT is a more predictable test, which I do well with, so basically there will be a certain number of each type of question on a test. So, if you want to put in the effort to practice for the test, then take the ACT
Firstly you should consider some schools don’t accept a certain test. Another thing slightly off-topic, some schools only accept your first attempt at the test (they don’t superscore). With these two things said, you should really take a look at what schools you think you might want to apply to in the future and then look at whether they superscore or if they do not accept one score or the other.
What I see a lot of people do is take both tests and then send only the one they did better in of the two (act, sat).
^Which schools don’t accept a certain test? From everything we read and know, all schools accept either the ACT or SAT equally.
Also, which schools only accept your first attempt? I never heard that.
Be careful what advice you give others. Unless you can back it up, it’s going to misguide students.
I score about equally high on both tests. A 1460 on the PSAT (740 math 720 cr) and a 33 composite on my practice ACT (E 31 M 33 R 36 S 33). I will tell you this: the ACT math is much easier, but you need to be fast and have good recall of a ton of math concepts from pre algebra to precalculus.
The PSAT was a much more stressful test. It’s also not all multiple choice which is very difficult. I recommend the ACT for people who struggle with higher math.
But you need to take one to see how you score, because if you can’t finish enough problems in the time allotted then that’s a whole 'nother issue.
Another consideration is when the tests are available. You can take the ACT in April, and I agree with others that you should get as familiar with that test as you can (especially math and science) and see how you do.
When you have a score from each, you should check the charts that compare SAT/ACT scores to see which is better, and also consider which one you think you can improve most on. Then pick that test for a second test (and possibly a third, though that definitely would be in the fall).
Most schools expect that you might take one test three times. And many (probably a majority) will take your best score from each part of the SAT, though some will only consider your best overall score from the same day. With the ACT, it’s more common for schools to consider only your best composite score on the same day, though some will consider your best score in each part on different days.