Questions on the ACT..

<p>Okay, so I'm pretty new to this site. I'm a junior in highschool currently, and my parents have been pushing me to get out there, start looking into colleges, and the SATs. </p>

<p>However, I came upon the ACT. I've heard of a few kids taking it at my school, yet most went with the standard SAT. After taking a practice test of each, I felt that the ACT fit me more, and I had a chance to get a better score. I know I'll end up taking both, yet I had some questions about the ACT.</p>

<p>-How early is too early to take the test? Would it be abnormal for me as a junior to take it in December of my junior year..? I plan on this so that I can take ACT in December, Spring SAT, then double up in the fall to try and improve my scores.</p>

<p>-Which do you find easier? SAT or ACT? and Do colleges look more seriously at one over the other..?</p>

<p>-When I take the ACT, should I definitely do the optional writing portion..?</p>

<p>Thanks ya'll!</p>

<p>It's never too early. Get it done junior year so you aren't bogged down senior year when you'll be busy doing apps (trust me on this).</p>

<p>ACT is easier for me because I'm not strong in CR. Difficulty is different for everyone. They take equal weight according to their admission requirements but my friend said northeast schools prefer sat bc they're more familiar with them..but who knows.</p>

<p>If you are applying to highly selective schools (most people on CC are) then yes. Check the colleges you want to apply to to see if they require it.</p>

<p>Hope that helped</p>

<p>Essentially all top colleges in the USNews ranking accept ACT or SAT with no preference -- think about it, it is in THEIR best interest to accept high scores regardless of the test where they occurred.</p>

<p>You can definitely take the ACT now and many times since they offer Score Choice (which CB will allow for today's Juniors). But, if your HS puts test scores on yoru transcript, don't list your HS nor any colleges when you register so only you and you alone will see the scores, and can decide which to send later.</p>

<p>As to what's easier, it really depends on you. The SAT includes more reasoning questions. The ACT problems are more straightforward but, proper speed is critical. SAT math goes thru Alg II only, but ACT math includes 4 trig problems. Finally, you will note that some highly selective colleges (Yale, Duke) will accept the ACT with no subject tests, but require subject tests if you take the SAT.</p>

<p>Will probability and conics be on the ACT? I did study these subjects but I'm a little fuzzy with them.</p>

<p>realllly simple probability and only conics involving the circle equation but it's reallllly basic</p>