<p>I'm a sophmore from New England. In addition to taking two subject tests this year (Physics and MathII), I've been studying for and plan to take the ACT this June because it seems to be a test of stuff I've learned anyway and thus will require a lot less preparation than the SAT.</p>
<p>I've looked through the Princeton Review book, and there doesn't seem to be any topics that I haven't learned yet, so I think that if I study now, I can do as well as I'm going ever do this year (unlike the SAT which people argue is better later because your vocabulary improves). Also, I'm planning to take AP Calc, Bio and Latin next year and I expect Junior year to be very hard. I also plan to take subject tests in either Bio and/or Latin so that I have at least three. I don't want to waste time studying vocab words just to take the SAT I if my ACT is good enough. </p>
<p>Assuming I do well enough to be satisfied with my ACT score, is there any potential drawback to foregoing the SAT I completely and using my sophmore ACT scores for colleges. I don't plan to apply to Harvey Mudd, and I could take the SAT in December with no pressure after I've applied to colleges if I'm a National Merit finalist.</p>
<p>Wouldn't it be gutsy to just have great ACT and Subject tests without ever taking the SAT?</p>
<p>Are there colleges that won't accept sophmore year ACT scores?</p>
<p>As far as I can see, there's no risk in not taking the SATs. I think there's only one school that doesn't accept the ACT, and that may be changing. In fact, many schools accept the ACT in lieu of both the SAT Reasoning and the SAT Subject tests.</p>
<p>I think you'll be fine (assuming, of course, that you are satisfied with your ACT score).</p>
<p>"Harvey Mudd College (HMC) will begin accepting ACT test scores as part of its admission application process starting in 2007-08, ending its holdout as the lone four-year college or university in the U.S. that did not accept the test."</p>
<p>I think that since you are taking the SAT II's, it is fine to only take the ACT. I feel a little more unsure when kids take only the ACT, period, at schools where most applicants take the SAT I and SAT II. I think that they are in a little bit of a precarious situation. Think about it: if you get a 33 on the ACT, and that is your only score, a person who gets a 2190 on the SAT (the equivalent to a 33) BUT who scores a 760 average on three SAT II's has the advantage. So, study up for your SAT II's and get great scores, and then get a good ACT score, and you will be in fine shape. And, like you said, if you are named an NMSF you can take a no-stress December SAT (and still submit it if you score better than your ACT). I wouldn't consider it gutsy, but I can't imagine that it would hurt you (although I would guess that you will end up taking the ACT more than once).</p>
<p>I think your plan is just fine. I basically did what you are planning to do, although I took Chem instead of Physics and waited until senior year for any testing. So far, things have worked out well.</p>
<p>If a school says they take the ACT instead of both SAT I and SAT II, believe them. If you get a great ACT score, and don't want to send your SAT II scores, you'll be fine. If a school really wanted to see SAT IIs in addition to ACT, they'd say so; many do. Why would the others lie?</p>
<p>Three comments: 1) the ACT is more a speed test, so practice timing. 2) The science section is really just reading graphs, so be mentally prepared for little science per se. 3) Can you take another subject test in the humanities, such as US Hist -- 3-700+ subject tests acrosss disciplines is better than 3-800 math-science tests, IMO. (Even MIT has humanities profs that want to see strength across disciplines.)</p>
<p>But, to answer your question: if you are comfortable with the ACT, go for it.</p>
<p>Yes - if you are comfortable w/ the ACT and think you can get a good score - go for it. If your practice tests aren't showing promise, then to be safe, I'd take an SAT I - it's one day, 48 bucks, not bad.</p>
<p>I'm applying with only the ACT and SAT IIs as well.
If you are doing well on the ACT, you don't need the SAT any more. I wouldn't recommend taking it anyway because you cannot hide your SAT score when you need to submit your SAT II scores.</p>