<p>I'm basically aiming for a 31 if I'm trying to get a 1400, and I'm hoping to see how I do with a practice test, but it takes like 3 hours so I need to find some time. So is this a good scale? Are 30 and 31 basically the same as a 1400 when colleges look at them?</p>
<p>SAT and ACT are very different tests, and many are bad at one but good at the other. You shouldn't even be comparing them. However, based on what colleges currently "say", yes that's the right scale.</p>
<p>Take a look at the collegeboard.com website and find the SAT data tables link. While a new concordance table has not yet been released by CB, you can roughly approximate an ACT 31 into an SAT 1380, and add 690 (the average of the first two scores) for a total of 2070.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, the Iowa scale matches the one study by collegeboard-act corp, so statistically-speaking, a 31~1380/1400 due to the statistical variance.</p>
<p>The ACT is very focused on time, particularly the so-called science section, so practice teaching your brain proper pacing. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I had a 1900 on the SAT, a 560 in CR which is attributable to English being my 2nd language(yes I know many people still score well with English as a 2nd language). I looked at some of the ACT questions and I really liked the way they make you reason. I can only imagine what 60 Math questions in 60 minutes does though. I can't miss like 5 on each section if I want to get a 31 composite. I'll find some time during the weekend to take a practice test hopefully.</p>
<p>On my first tries, I got 2250 and 33. The ACT is harder in terms of managing time and the essay at the end of it all, but the SAT CR and all the vocab is harder than the ACT reading/writing sections.</p>
<p>If you take the SAT and it is reported to a college (because you choose some colleges on CB as "recipients"), and then decide to take the ACT as well because you did not fare well on the SAT, how do colleges handle the two scores? Will they dismiss one over the other? Or convert the ACT to an SAT score and than average? </p>
<p>I'm wondering if it would have been best to have waited until scores were posted before having them sent to various colleges.</p>
<p>^^All colleges claim to use the highest ACT or SAT; it is in THEIR best interest do so (great for PR). But, yes, waiting until your see the scores can be better so you can choose between the two. Of course, it's more expensive that way, and, if a college requires Subject Tests, they'll see the SAT score anyway. Finally, check with your HS to see if they put test scores on transcripts.</p>
<p>A good strategy in deciding between ACT and SAT is to take practice tests from both and see how you fair before taking the actual test. Remember, you control who sees your ACT scores and if they see them. By contrast, if you do well on the ACT AND on the subject tests, do you really want your child's dream college to see that low SAT score on the CB transcript? Don't take the SAT even one time if it is not your strong suit!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>^mos def, i got a 31 on the ACT, doubt i could crack 1950 on an SAT. Also, the UC chart shows that they take a 31 as a 2100.</p>