I've taken the ACT.. should I take the SAT too?

Applying to College
1

<p>I took it once and got a 34 Composite, 8/12 on Writing. (I thought I'd messed up big time by the time I got to the Writing portion, so I didn't try too hard.) I recently took it again and know I did much better on the essay.</p>

<p>I haven't taken the SAT, but I'm not great at math, which may mean I'll do worse on the SAT. However, I'm much better at vocabulary, which the SAT tests, the ACT, not so much.</p>

<p>I've signed up for the December SAT, but I'm already incredibly busy with essays and such. The question is: Should I bother taking the SAT at all if I get a 34/35 Composite and a 10/11 essay score?</p>

<p>Some of my reaches: Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Tufts</p>

<p>I could take a practice test to determine if I'll get a comparable SAT score, but my practice test scores and real test scores aren't ever similar, due to the difference in testing conditions.</p>

2

<p>If it helps you sleep at night…the go for it.</p>

<p>But a 34 is already 99% percentile…and equivalent to a 2230-2270ish SAT score if I am not mistaken. Very…very respectable score.</p>

3

<p>I wouldn’t bother unless you are trying to get NMF. You need the SAT for that.</p>

4

<p>Why would you take the SAT with such a superb ACT? You would probably do well on the SAT, too, but given that any number of colleges now insist on seeing every test you’ve ever taken, a less stellar SAT might have to be revealed. NSF is another matter…</p>

5

<p>Don’t even bother with the SAT</p>

6

<p>i mean, you could give it a shot, but i thought the math was a LOT harder on the SAT.</p>

7

<p>Depends, just remember that the SAT will take points away on wrong answers.</p>

8

<p>My son took only the ACT, scored a 33 and was admitted ED to Swarthmore (last fall). I think not taking the SAT decreased his overall stress levels and goodness knows Senior year has lots of stress. You are right in “the zone” for the schools you mentioned.</p>

9

<p>Not necessary. I wouldn’t waste time on it.
SAT is a different type of test, so you’d have to “switch gears” and spend some time prepping for it to do really well. With your great ACT scores, it’s just not worth it.</p>

<p>Do your schools require SAT subject tests?</p>

10

<p>Agree with ^^^. No need to take the SAT unless you are qualifying for NMS. Concentrate on your SAT II Subject tests, if you are considering Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, etc. Otherwise, enjoy!</p>