<p>1.Should I go for SAT or ACT? What's the difference between the two?</p>
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<li>If I intend to prepare for SAT/ACT from just ONE book, and no other source whatsoever, which one would you recommend?</li>
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<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>I think the official sat guide (also known as the blue book) will be good enough for SAT.</p>
<p>Haultus, either test’s scores are accepted at most universities in the US, although you should check the specific requirements and preferences of the schools to which you are applying. While both are your typical standardized test covering reading comprehension, English grammar, math and writing, in my eyes the only major difference is that the SAT has 10 sections each broken into 20 or 25 minute sections, where as the ACT has 4 (5 if you take writing) larger sections by subject. As to which one is ‘easier’ I think it boils down to one’s individual test-taking skills and preferences (they’re said to be about the same level difficulty overall). </p>
<p>Like Pranesh7 said, I also recommend The Official SAT Study Guide. That’s what I used and it was good enough for me. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Everyone says the difficulty level is at par but,assuming you’re an Indian,ACT is the thing.Been reading a lot on CC about this and generally people agree on it.
Why?
I guess because,firstly the emphasis on English is cut down by 15% and secondly there are no complex questions asked on the English section as there are in the CR of SAT.</p>
<p>So, is it unfair for people giving SAT? -Well that seriously is a personal choice,it tests your aptitude,I prefer the ACT. Also, the difficulty on the ACT increases as for e.g. you get a single question wrong on the Math section,you slip to 35,34 ,for every question you get wrong. In short,margin of error is small.
I’ve heard good things about Barron’s and the official Red Book.
Good Luck ! hope that helped.</p>
<p>I know you said only one book. But if you are open to buying another, buy SAT 2400 by Gary Gruber. It gives a really good review of Grammar and excellent methods for handling CR questions. It teaches you how to think.</p>
<p>It helped me a lot. My score jumped by a 100 points. :D</p>
<p>I’m a student in the US, and I’ve taken both the SAT and ACT (scores of 2370 and 36). For the SAT, go with the blue book. Barron’s is also really helpful in preparing, because it’s more difficult than the actual test, so it ensures that you know almost everything on the real SAT. As for SAT or ACT, I personally thought the ACT was much easier, and the science section was incredibly easy. It’s a lot less complex than the SAT. That being said, colleges, although they say they don’t, put a lot more weight on a good SAT score than ACT, because a 2400 is so much more difficult than a 36. The ACT essay also tends to be much easier. So to conclude, if your English grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills are good, go with the SAT. Otherwise, the ACT is probably the better choice.</p>
<p>the SAT tries to trick you more essentially. but there are a lot of patterns to it’s tricks, so the more practice tests you do, the more you’ll get the hang of it. the questions are a bit harder. the blue book, the official SAT prep book from collegeboard is sufficient to prepare for it</p>
<p>the ACT is much more straightforward, but the time pressures you more. you have to get a lot of questions done in a not so long amount of time. I think that the official guide to the ACT would be best for it.</p>
<p>A couple of tips from an international parent:</p>
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<li><p>Be careful about the difference between SAT’s and ACT’s IF YOU ARE AN INTERNATIONAL. SAT’s are more about aptitude, and ACT’s are more about knowledge of the high school curriculum in the US. So do compare the content, see if what you covered in high school corresponds to what US high schools did. If they are very different, you’re better of with the SAT’s.</p></li>
<li><p>One knowledgable guy once told us that the SAT is not a test of what you know, it’s a test of whether you know how to take the SAT. He probably meant time management, skipping when you don’t know the answer, narrowing down your choices etc. </p></li>
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<p>I guess these are nothing new, but I thought I’d share. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>If you have to choose one book then t has to be the Blue book like some members have already suggested above.</p>
<p>All the best.</p>
<p>I still feel that ACT should do the trick…but then again cause I did the SAT and messed up and felt that grass was greener on the other side…</p>