Retake the SAT or take a stab at the ACT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I got a 2260 on my SAT (770 M, 750 CR, 740 W). I recently took my SAT subject tests (June) and I think I got about a 800 on Math 2 and 700 on US History. Would it be better to take the ACT, since it's easier to get a better score? </p>

<p>Also, I did better on math on the SAT, and the ACT is known for being more math geared, with easier writing and CR. </p>

<p>However, since I've taken the SAT before, I know how it works, and what I need to do to improve. Still, getting a high score the SAT is more flaky. </p>

<p>I'm planning on applying to some top schools, like Yale, Stanford, Princeton, and Brown. So what do you think?</p>

2

<p>I think that is a great score, but you should try the ACT. My son did better on that and had slightly lower than you on the SAT.</p>

3

<p>My .02</p>

<p>I would think if you took your SAT your JR. year…and scored 2260 on the SAT…that those in admissions would think you might bump it 100 points if you had “decided” to retake it your SR. year. With that in mind…you might take the ACT instead. That way which ever score is the strongest would be the one you would send in with your applications.
~APOL-a Mum</p>

4

<p>2260 sounds like an excellent score along with the subject tests. Don’t bother taking the ACT because I think you should focus on your gpa, extra-circular activities, community service and college essays instead. The time you use taking the ACT or another SAT is the time your taking away from other important things.</p>

5

<p>That is already a great score! Test scores are definitely NOT the only thing admissions officers look at, and a score like that is never going to be the thing that keeps you out of a college. At this point it’s probably a better idea to start thinking about essays/ interviews and work on your extracurriulars!</p>

6

<p>First of all, it is not easier to get a better score on the ACT. A lot of people who do really well on the SAT find it really hard to score in the same region on the ACT. But, your score is already really good, and I don’t think that it is necessary for you to try again, but if you do, and do poorly, you usually don’t have to report ACT scores: their version of scorechoice is ironclad.</p>

7

<p>You are interested in 4 schools. Although Princeton and Brown allow the score choice option, for Yale and Stanford, you need to report and submit all SAT and SAT Subject scores or/and all ACT scores.</p>

8

<p>I know the score choice policies.If I did well on the ACT, I could just send that. If I didn’t, I could just send my SAT scores. </p>

<p>Also, it is easier to get a perfect score on the ACT, because if you screw up on one section in the SAT and get a 790, it’s impossible to get a perfect score. But on the ACT, you could get a 34 on one section and still end up with a perfect score.</p>