Retake the SATs, or try the ACT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi guys, I took the SATs in December and scored a 2250 (CR800 M750 W700) and while this score is decent, it's insufficient given the schools I'm trying to apply for (Wharton, Columbia, UCB etc), my status (international Asian male yay me) and my relatively lacklustre ECs.</p>

<p>I'm shooting for either 2300+ or a 35 for ACTs. My CR score was a fluke (I normally score around low 700s, with 1 800 out of like 15 practice tests), though my Math section was an utter flop (consistent 800s during practices, maybe the odd -1). Writing was a flop as well, I would get around 2-4 wrong, maybe 3 on average.</p>

<p>However, I felt that one of the reasons why I didn't do as well was due to my short attention span, which caused me to lose focus and become more careless during the exam, as well as my complacency. I am also much more inclined towards the Maths and Sciences compared to English. Hence, I feel that the ACTs would be a better match for me.</p>

<p>However, given the fact that I already have a 800 for my (arguably) weakest section on the SATs, if I were to retake it, it would probably be at least a 2300 (Math +50) superscored, though my overall composite score may not improve as much. I'll also have some experience taking the SATs and maybe some basic foundation from studying it last December.</p>

<p>Hence, my options are as follows:
1) Retake SATs, get a superscored 2300+, and have colleges wonder why my CR score dropped so much (will probably be low 700s?). I know Colleges say that it really doesn't matter, but I'm afraid College Admissions Officers will prefer a 2300 in 1-sitting to a superscored 2300. (I mean it seems pretty natural)</p>

<p>2) Take the ACTs. Seems like a more natural fit, although I won't have the benefit of superscore. It needs less time studying (?) too.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading this block of text and all your advice :)</p>

2

<p>Your SAT score is fine. Try the ACT if you want, but don’t stress about 750 v. 800. Writing score is on the low side, but most colleges ignore it anyway.</p>

3

<p>Try taking some practice ACT tests and see how you do. The ACT is geared more toward those who can think fast and work quickly. I took both the SAT and ACT, and my SAT superscore was about 200 points higher than my equivalent ACT score converted to SAT score. But any discrepancy between your ACT and SAT scores doesn’t matter too much, since colleges only consider your better score.</p>

<p>It definitely doesn’t hurt to retake the SAT. Don’t worry if your second time CR score drops a little bit-- a little variation is expected, and colleges know this. What matters is your superscore. 2250 is already a very strong score, and you can only get better.</p>

<p>Even though writing is the least emphasized section, getting a higher score will plump up your composite score, and it’s actually the easiest section to improve on. I highly recommend The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar-- My writing score went from 58 (PSAT) to 760 on my first SAT.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the advice! Yeah, I’m currently leaning towards retaking the SATs, though it might be rather time-consuming compared to the ACT. What’s a reasonable score to get for my diagnostic ACT tests (like before studying ACT prep material, I currently have the Barron’s ACT guide) to gauge if I can get a 35 for the actual test with low-moderate levels of studying? I’ll be using one of the Princeton Prep tests or the Real ACT tests as the Barron’s ones aren’t that accurate.</p>

5

<p>Take the ACT. I’ve heard from some admissions officers that after a certain point (especially after you hit 750, but most of the time 700), there is no difference between a 740 and 800. And the math is slightly harder on the ACT, so if you can get through that, it’ll make up for the SAT Math score you’re no happy with</p>

6

<p>Point taken, though I’m pretty confident that I’ll be able to get an 800 for SAT Math, it’s just the time investment and (tougher?) English sections that are holding me back.</p>

7

<p>I would say, take a diagnostic ACT test and see how you do. Then if you score high, you could consider studying for that. But it seems like studying for the SAT would actually be less time consuming because you already have an 800 CR, and writing is the easiest to improve upon.</p>

8

<p>I think you’re wasting your time taking the SAT again. Elite colleges don’t distinguish between 2250s and 2300s. Rather, they look at high scores in a general range, say 2200-2400. If you fall anywhere within that range, colleges can determine that you’re intellectually capable before moving on to other aspects, like essays, ECs, and recommendations. A slightly higher score will not make up for a lack of ECs, either. I mean hell, you’re already within the 99th percentile. You think any college is really gonna care if you get it up to, say, a 2300?</p>

9

<p>I’d take it again as a senior, but the downside is the time spent studying could be spent on something more productive or enjoyable. Hobbies are important too.</p>

10

<p>Yeah but I read somewhere that while the effect of a higher score diminishes, it still helps.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys!</p>

11

<p>No it really doesn’t past a certain point.</p>

12

<p>If one of your biggest issues is a short attention span, then you may struggle with the format of the ACT. The ACT has less sections which means each section is longer than SAT sections. You’ll have to stay focused for a full hour on the ACT math section. Take a diagnostic ACT and gauge your comfortability. </p>

13

<p>Oh wow, that’s a really good point, thanks southseventh!</p>

14

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>Congratulations on your SAT score. I do think that the most competitive colleges often require the type of agonizing decision you are facing. I do agree with other posters that you should take an ACT diagnostic. Otherwise, you may be unpleasantly surprised by the Science section. You need to be able to gather information from graphs quickly, etc. It is not the same as your typical Science class science.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

15

<p>Thanks for the tip! Yeah, the Science section is rather unorthodox. However, if I were to retake the SATs, would I be disadvantaged? Let’s say I get a composite of 2300 and a superscored 2350. How would the (retaken) 2300 fare vs a 2300 for the first attempt, and a superscored 2350 vs a 2350 in a single-setting? Thanks! :)</p>

16

<p>^I think you’re thinking too much into it. Colleges only care about your superscore, and it doesn’t matter what your individual scores are unless they’re a lot lower than your superscore. A 50 point difference is nothing.</p>

<p>But I agree that the science section is… how do I say it? UGGHGGHAJSDKLASDKFKJ. I got a 33 English, 32 Math, 36 Reading… and a 26 science. lol</p>

<p>On the flip side, ACT English is a lot easier than SAT writing. And reading can be difficult because of the time constraint, but if you are a fast reader who can absorb things quickly, it’s like a word search compared to SAT reading.</p>