Retake the ACT or SAT?

<p>So I'm a senior in high school and I'm going to be applying to colleges really soon, but I did really bad on both my SAT and ACT and am hoping to boost one of them up before applying. I only have about a month to prepare & I don't know if I should just focus on either the SAT or ACT or just try to improve on both.</p>

<p>My ACT Scores
Composite Score: 22
English: 22
Math: 25
Reading: 22
Science: 19
Combined English/Writing: 25
Essay: 11</p>

<p>SAT Scores:
Composite: 1650
Reading: 490
Math: 560
Writing:600
Essay: 10</p>

<p>I know they're not good at all but for the SAT I was hoping to at least hit the 1700-1800 Ranges and for the ACT around a 26. The thing about the ACT is I did not understand the science part....at all, so I'm not sure how I will find myself improving in that section.</p>

<p>Will it be easier for me to improve on the SAT or ACT?
Should I focus on one of them, and which one? Or should I just work on them both and pick the better score?</p>

<p>You can study for either, but the ACT is focused more on H.S. curriculum. That is a lot of material. others should way in, but I think you can improve your SAT score by practicing the College Board Blue Book practice tests and using the techniques referred to in the intro. Most students improve their score the second time. Best of luck!</p>

<p>Because you said you struggle with the science section I would not retake the ACT (unless you want to for fun!). Raising your composite score 4 points is actually a lot harder than raising your SAT score 50 to reach a 1700, especially if you do not expect your science section score to increase. Also, your SAT is slightly higher than your ACT score when you convert them.</p>

<p>Good Luck with whatever you decide to do!</p>

<p>Remember, you are already so much more prepared than the first time because you know what the test is like.</p>

<p>Focus on which ever one you think you can do better on. If you focus on both you will be spending less time as a whole on one and there for not getting as much practice on the tests. </p>

<p>Here are some tips that might help you pick the test to take. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Are you good at vocab?
If so take the SAT since they test you on tons of vocab. </p></li>
<li><p>Are you good at reading graphs?
If so take the ACT since the science section is all about reading graphs. </p></li>
<li><p>Are you a fast reader?
If so take the ACT because you are meant to read the reading section passages fast. </p></li>
<li><p>Would you rather have short sections but many of them or only a few long sections?
If you said short sections take the SAT and if you said long sections take the ACT. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Those are four tips that might help you pick the test to take.</p>