Old SAT vs. New SAT vs. ACT

Test Preparation
1

<p>Which test should I do? Which test is harder? Are certain tests meant for certain kinds of people? Im a sophmore (class of 2017) and I would say I am more mathematically inclined compared to reading and writing, but I dont know which test I could do best on... Also, if you guys suggest I do the SAT, can you pick whether it should be the new or old one? I took the PSAT in October and got 67 R, 73 M, 62 W. Also, I took a testmasters course in the summer and my final test score was 630 R, 720 M, 700 W, but I dont know if they curve the score to make it look like I improved...</p>

<p>Thanks for any tips!!!</p>

2

<p>Please guys I really need help on this subject…</p>

3

<p>Why don’t you take a practice SAT and ACT to see which one suits you?</p>

4

<p>I have taken an SAT and the scores are on the top</p>

5

<p>What grade are you in?</p>

<p>Personally, my ranking for the tests is SAT>ACT>NEW SAT. </p>

6

<p>Be aware that in 2016, the SAT is going back to the 1600 score format with just Math and Critical Reading. It is dropping the writing portion. It will change in other ways too. See here - <a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/sat-to-drop-essay-requirement-and-return-to-top-score-of-1600-in-redesign-of-admission-test/2014/03/05/2aa9eee4-a46a-11e3-8466-d34c451760b9_story.html”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/sat-to-drop-essay-requirement-and-return-to-top-score-of-1600-in-redesign-of-admission-test/2014/03/05/2aa9eee4-a46a-11e3-8466-d34c451760b9_story.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Hello fellow '17 member,</p>

<p>I’m in the same boat as you. Let me tell you my basic plan.</p>

<p>1) I took the PSAT this October with no sense of what a PSAT was or how it was scored, and got a 192.
2) I then did some research on the SAT but didn’t really study anything, took an online test from CB, and got 1960.
3) On January 10, our school is hosting a practice ACT. I will take this test and then compare it to my SAT score. If the SAT score is higher or there is a negligible difference, I will go with the SAT. However, if my ACT is way above my SAT, then I will obviously do that.
4) I’m planning on taking the old SAT next October. If I don’t do so hot, I will take it again in December. I think it would be wise of us '17 members to have two shots at the SAT before we are tested as the guinea pigs for the new one, because it will obviously have some kinks and issues that need to be worked out.</p>

<p>The new SAT, in theory, is supposed to be easier. However, you should take into account that there is very limited background information surrounding this test, other than a video tutorial that will supposedly be released by Khan Academy. I would say that if you are willing to prepare, then the old SAT will be ‘easier,’ solely because there is so much more material that can be used to study.</p>

<p>My father likes to tell me “the ACT is a test for those who can’t take the SAT.” Now, I’m not saying I completely agree with that statement. However, from what I’ve read so far, the SAT is more trivial and requires stronger critical thinking skills than the ACT, but tests simpler concepts. If you are great at cranking out difficult math, go ACT. If you are easily able to analyze a question and understand what it is asking quickly, then go with the SAT. And if you go SAT, do me a favor and DEFINITELY take the old one at least once.</p>

<p>Good luck in your standardized testing endeavors :)</p>

<ul>
<li>G</li>
</ul>

8

<p>Some students do better on the SAT, some do better on the ACT. They are looked upon the same for colleges (they use the same conversion chart you see online). Take practice tests for both, and see which one you do better on.</p>

9

<p>Do the practice tests and sign up for the real tests. Last year, DS was signed up, but got his SAT scores back before the ACT test date, and had done well enough to forego the ACT. We lost the test fee; he regained a few hours of his youth. :)</p>

<p>Everyone is different re SAT vs ACT, and how you do on each type of test might be different still under actual test conditions (eg, I’ve heard that SOME test anxious kids are affected less ACT practice vs actual compared to SAT practice vs actual). </p>

<p>Just take them both. </p>

10

<p>Personally, I think I am better at math problems that the other sections, so I think I will take a practice ACT and try it out. But where is the video Khan Academy released about the new SAT? And what is the best way to study for an ACT? </p>

11

<p>Bump</p>

12

<p>IMO I think that the ACT is “for those who can’t take the SAT,” but that’s just because a lot of kids at my school say that. The ACT tests are ALWAYS jammed packed, but the SAT has a significantly lower amount of students. That’s how it is in my area, and every student aims for a 27 on the ACT (state scholarship reward), but hardly anyone aims for the SAT equivalent of 1200 (math and reading only). I actually don’t think I know anyone who’s gotten the aid with their SAT score… But this is a tiny town in rural South Carolina, so there isn’t much to begin with. That probably explains how my SAT writing score of 600 placed me in the 95th percentile at my school, because NOBODY takes it!</p>

<p>To me the ACT has easier questions, but easy questions only help so much when you have to read a multitude of passages. So, ACT = easier questions, but a rough test because you take it all at once. Also, ACT has more complex math problems (know how to use the circle equations).</p>

<p>The SAT has more “outside of the box” questions, but the time is better divided. I personally prefer it because you focus on a few things and then move on to something else, but you come back to the subject later. So, SAT = somewhat “harder” questions, but an easier to take test because of its setup. Also, SAT has more information based math problems (what an integer is, and a lot of theoretical problems).</p>

<p>I think the new SAT is a hybrid of them both: easier questions, and a good time division. </p>

<p>I actually hate that they’re redesigning it after I’ll already be in college, because there are a good bit of questions on the SAT I THINK might be right, but I don’t want to risk taking the chance. I took both and my highest scores were 24 on ACT, and 1700 on SAT. That’s about equal. I think you’ll be fine with either test. I was expecting a high ACT score, because my practice tests showed me averaging a 30, but I never timed myself. The tests can both be conquered with practice. And you already have superb intelligence, so I think you’ll be fine. </p>

<p>The ACT is more for people who are ranked highly in school, because it tests high school subjects. The SAT is more for the “closet smart kids,” if you know what I mean (the ones you wouldn’t consider to be smart, but come out with a good score). My best friend has a GPA of maybe 3.0/4.0 and easily scored over 600 in every category, but she didn’t take the ACT so I’m not sure how she stacks up. </p>

<p>I suggest to take a practice ACT test and then look up the conversion charts to see which score is higher.</p>

13

<p>@SomethingWithin I took the ACT yesterday and got a 31 (E: 33 / M: 32 / S: 28 / R: 30) and I took the SAT a week back and I have a score range: Composite: 1880 - 2070 (M: 730 / R: 660 / W: 490-680 (This is dependent on my essay score, which is not graded yet))</p>

14

<p>Some schools look only at math and reading, so 1390 is not bad at all! I believe a 1400 is about the equivalent of a 34. I would definitely suggest the SAT. </p>

15

<p>@SomethingWithin they dont consider the writing section at all? Do ivies and top tier schools consider writing?</p>

16

<p>I wouldn’t say at all, but from what I’ve heard the math and reading score play a more crucial part. I think the Ivy Leagues look at at them all equally. </p>

17

<p>I only know this because I want to be a writer, and during my research I learned the writing portion is seen as less than the others. But the Ivy League seeks talent, which is why I think they weigh it equally.</p>

18

<p>Also, it just hit me that you’ll be among the group of kids who’s competing with kids who won’t even have a writing score. But the ACT has optional writing as well, and all the Ivy Leagues say (SAT or ACT + Writing), so yes they do care about it. </p>

19

<p>@SomethingWithin Well, I was planning to take the current SAT instead of the new 2016 SAT because of the lack of information over the new test…the new SAT will be implemented in march of 2016 so I can take the current SAT before March</p>

20

<p>@ADA110‌ Harvard is actually one of those colleges that takes the Writing portion of the SAT seriously…not sure about the others but if it’s something that’s worrying you, definitely research!.</p>