<p>My school only offers the ACT. I'm planning on taking the ACT plus writing this coming spring my junior year, and two SAT subject tests in June or maybe fall of senior year because that is the most convenient for me. The reason I'm taking the SAT subjects tests is that one of the colleges I want to apply to requires that all applicants do, regardless of whether they take the SAT reasoning or ACT plus writing. Is it difficult to take the subject tests without taking the SAT reasoning first? Also, any tips on the ACT? I already started prepping and would love to hear any advice you have on either types of tests. For those of you who have already taken either, how was it for you? And if you don't mind me asking, what score(s) did you get?</p>
<p>
No. The subject tests are testing you on a particular subject. </p>
<p>When I asked if it was difficult, I wasn’t referring to WHAT I was being tested on, but HOW the questions would be presented 
I’ve been informed that the formats between SAT and ACT are quite different. </p>
<p>The SAT and SAT Subject tests are completely different - for example, if you are a Spanish whiz and a World History pro, you could probably get 800’s on both subject tests, yet still get a below average (<1500) score on the actual SAT (exaggeration intended). The goal with subject tests is to demonstrate mastery of specific subjects, and many colleges often require specific ones in order to ensure that you will be able to keep up with the curriculum, and have mastered some high school subjects (ex. MIT requires one math and one science - I assume this is to see where a student is as far as math/science abilities go since many of the university’s majors are math/science driven). 750+ on a subject test demonstrates competence and mastery.</p>
<p>Skim the forums (ex. ACT Prep forum, SAT Subject tests forum) for specific tips for each test, as well as format differences. A quick search should turn up sufficient results.</p>
<p>Btw most schools don’t officially offer the SAT; rather, the ACT is offered as a part of state-mandated testing. It is up to you to find time to take standardized tests at alternate locations. I would recommend that you try both the SAT and ACT. Or, at least try official diagnostics/practice tests to see which one you like better.</p>
<p>Good Luck! :)</p>
<p>@EngineBus2015 Thank you!</p>
<p>Schools usually accept one of these combinations of test scores:
- SAT Reasoning Test and 2 (or more) Subject Tests
- ACT with writing
- ACT with writing and 2 (or more) Subject Tests</p>
<p>I took both the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT with writing as well as several Subject Tests because I wanted more options in terms of sending in scores. Personally, I thought the ACT was much easier but I ended up sending in both my SAT and ACT scores because my counselor convinced me that earning good scores in both tests makes me more competitive as an applicant (I think she was right). Since you mentioned that your school only offers the ACT, then your hands are pretty much tied at this point, not that this is a bad thing.</p>
<p>For Subject Tests, I wouldn’t say that they are a significant departure from the SAT Reasoning or ACT. As I’m sure you already know, Subject Tests are more knowledge-based and, with the exception of perhaps Literature and a few other humanities Subject Tests, are simply fact-memorization. In terms of how they are presented, all Subject Tests are purely multiple-choice questions and never include a writing portion. You absolutely do not need experience with the SAT Reasoning Test to do well on the Subject Tests.</p>
<p>Hope this helped! Good luck!</p>
<p>Would I be at a disadvantage if I didn’t take the SAT?</p>
<p>
No</p>
<p>All colleges accept both the ACT and SAT with no difference between them.</p>
<p>Your high school does not offer any of these test. It is your state and school district that mandate the MME test which includes the ACT. For most students, they register for ACT or SAT on their own.
You can take SAT2 alone, however, most schools do not require SAT2 particularly when you submit ACT score. There are only like a dozen or so still require SAT2 when submitting ACT score. Nevertheless, submitting good SAT2 scores to schools even only recommending them will help.
Have you done any practice test on ACT or SAT? You need to be more proactively prepared for the test. You should probably get ready to take a real test earlier than the MME. After MME, you will be busy for final, AP, and subject tests that you won’t have much time to prepare for retaking ACT or taking SAT.</p>