Hi,
I’m a parent trying to help my 10th and 11th grade kids. I have one on college as well.
In the past the SAT and ACT were different types of tests. My oldest took both and did better on the ACT.
Now that the SAT format has changed it appears to function in much the same way as the ACT. Is there any reason that both should still be taken?
There’s very little reason to take both. If a student prepares for one and never reaches their goal, perhaps an exception would be warranted.
Thanks CHD2013! That is what I thought, but wasn’t sure I was missing something.
I concur. I am recommending that my students only focus on the ACT. The SAT, IMHO, is a hastily constructed poor imitation of the ACT.
@midtntutor just curious if you alter your strategy if the student struggles with Science. I have a HS Jr taking the ACT this weekend for 2nd time but struggling with Science. Scored 24 in Science in Sept and not tracking much higher in practice - section brings her score down and is a concern (has a 28C). Giving the SAT some thought.
Good question. If a student is struggling with the ACT Science, then my next question is whether or not that student is a strong “mental math” student. In other words, is the student strong enough in math to succeed in the no-calc section of the SAT? As for the calc section of the SAT, it contains multiple questions about graphs, which, IMHO, are testing similar interpretation skills as the ACT Science.
I just finished tutoring a student who just did the PSAT today and is taking the ACT on Saturday (we were focusing prep for the ACT). She said that on the PSAT Math Calc section that she felt at times like she was doing another ACT Science practice test.
I guess my circular thought still circles around to the fact that a student who struggles understanding graphs isn’t going to benefit significantly from the SAT. Again, just my opinion, and I hope others will chime in (and if they contradict me, no problem there either!).
Thanks @midtntutor - we’ll see how this weekend’s ACT goes and adjust accordingly. Given her ACT prep work and similarities with the SAT, it may be worthwhile trying an SAT practice test to see how she does as I don’t think it requires much more prep at this point.
The big difference between the 2 tests is TIME. The SAT gives you so much more time to answer the questions and the ACT is a speed test. That said, my kid did full (proctored) practice tests for both and scored equally well on both. For the real tests after practicing the science and math sections several times at home (Red book, STRICKLY timed) , he ended up with a 35 on the ACT. The new SAT has ‘compound’ questions where one answer is based on the previous answer… if you get one wrong, you get both.
If you generally have trouble finishing quizzes, tests, in the allocated time, you may have trouble with the time restraints of the ACT.
If you have trouble with reading comprehension, you may be trouble with the new SAT (very verbose math sections).
My D took both the SAT and ACT, some people prefer one over the other, my D’s scores turned out to be exactly the same on the ‘equivalency’ chart
There has also been commentary about the “verbal” nature of the math section on the SAT. You have to get through a lot of words to figure out what the problem is. Students who don’t have English as their first language might be at a disadvantage in this format as @suzyQ7 has also commented.
My D did much better on the ACT than SAT. For my younger child, when the time comes, I’ll have her do a timed practice test in each format and focus on whichever works better.