<p>I took a practice online by the ACT and I performed way better. The ACT seems more straightforward and to the point, while the SAT is full of tricks. The problem is I already signed up for the May SAT and my scores look all average so far (in the 500s). Is it possible for me to take both tests? It feels like the ACT is testing me on what I know and the SAT is testing me on what I don't know, if that makes any sense.</p>
<p>The ACT tests for what you know rather than how well you can notice the tricks and obscured wording on the SAT (especially obscure vocabulary).</p>
<p>Take both and send your best score between the SAT and ACT to colleges.</p>
<p>fwiw:</p>
<p>take a couple of practice tests from the ACT Red book for a better estimation of your abilities/scores. In reading some threads on cc, many kids post that the online test is “easier”. (I don’t know why that would be since it’s supposed to be a regular ACT test, but that’s just their report.)</p>
<p>ACT is a different type of test…it’s reasoning rather than aptitude.</p>
<p>@ skaggs</p>
<p>I think you got it mixed up.
ACT tests knowledge with minimal reasoning. SAT tests hardcore reasoning with a decent amount of knowledge.</p>
<p>You can take both tests. You really won’t know on which test you will actually do better until you take them. The ACT is more straightforward and less tricky. However, its time limits (under actual test conditions) are the bane of many.</p>
<p>Imo, ACT is still at heart an aptitude test, it just has a little bit of knowledge thrown in. The SAT is almost entirely an aptitude test, with a little vocab.</p>