<p>S2 is a little apprehensive about the timed component of the ACT and SAT. Do most kids find it easy to finish the sections on time? S1 did run out of time on writing portion of ACT.</p>
<p>I think running out of time is more of a factor on the ACT than on the SAT. My S thought the ACT was very fast paced.</p>
<p>Agree. ACT is considered more time-pressured than SAT. Even top students have to push themselves to finish the ACT sections. On the SAT they will usually have a little time to spare.</p>
<p>At my ACT testing center they gave 5 minute warnings which helped, but usually in the last minute I have at least 5-6 unanswered questions that I guess on . Always answer EVERY question .</p>
<p>I think it really depends on the student. Both my kids read very fast and never had any problem with the CR section of the SAT. My younger son though is slow in math and often was rushed even though he could generally do the problems.</p>
<p>I think the key reason to prep for the ACT is to get used to the pacing.</p>
<p>D. did not finish Reading in ACT. But since the other sections were easy for her, she got total OK. Do not worry, make sure you do well on whatever you have finish.</p>
<p>The question on the ACT are more straightforward, so it obtains its curve by requiring speed-reading. Heck, the so-called science section is (almost) nothing but speed-reading. In contrast, some SAT math problems are not even doable unless you know the formula. The classic example is the average rates-speed problem: if a train leaves Chicago at the same time a train leaves Cleveland…they could give you an hour and most students could not solve it.</p>
<p>D2 found the SAT questions easier than the ACT question. She is not a fast reader so I would think the it’s easier to finish in time for the SAT.</p>
<p>"Heck, the so-called science section is (almost) nothing but speed-reading. "</p>
<p>-This one is actually no science, SLOWer reading section, where good student can shine. Here is a place to compensate for unfinished Reading section. For comparison, D’s Reading was 27, science - 34 (by her own admittance, there were no science in science section).
Overall, SAT was a bigger problem because of more speedy reading. Science Section on ACT saved the day for my D.</p>
<p>I have been administering the ACT the last few years and the vast majority finish all sections. There is a small handful that does not.</p>
<p>Interesting. So if time is an issue with a kid, would you all advise skipping the ACT altogether and only doing the SAT?</p>
<p>"I have been administering the ACT the last few years and the vast majority finish all sections. There is a small handful that does not. "</p>
<p>-Well. as I have menioned, D. could not finish Reading section. For reference, her total ACT was 33 with only 28 in Reading.</p>
<p>"Interesting. So if time is an issue with a kid, would you all advise skipping the ACT altogether and only doing the SAT? "</p>
<p>-As I have mentioned, D. was more successful with ACT (primarily because of Science section, additional one to compensate for Reading). I have heard that many others are better at ACT than SAT. I would suggest taking both, see what happen. IMO, fast reader should do better in SAT, but very good student who is slower reader with high comprehension should do better in ACT.</p>
<p>If your child has consistently had difficulty with time in standardized testing situations, you should have that child tested for dyslexia-type processing issues. Some of these are quite subtle, and are easily compensated for in day-to-day interactions.</p>
<p>cbug:</p>
<p>take a practice test at home under timed conditions. One test may “feel” better than the other.</p>
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<p>I’ve been a member of cc for too many years, and even the self-selected students on this board ALL note that the ACT requires speed. “Finishing” is easy if you just fill out “c” in the last five questions before the buzzer. The so-called Science section above all.</p>
<p>Pace is one of the most importnat benefits of practicing the standardized tests. Know the directions for each section by heart, so you don’t have to spend any time reading them. After practicing thousands of questions, you know which ones to invest time in and which ones to eliminate an answer or two and guess or just leave blank all together.</p>