Rethinking everything

Test Preparation
1

Well, I just got my ACT scores back from September. My plan was to be done with the ACT and then switch to studying for the SAT IIs because I have yet to take them. None of the colleges I’m applying to require them, but a few of them say they are “recommended.”

I need a 35-36 for a certain merit scholarship at one of my top choice schools.

But, here’s the breakdown of my ACT scores:
June: 32 (E:31 M: 32 R: 33 S: 33)
September: …32 (E: 35 M: 33 R: 31 S: 28)

My superscore is a 34, but that doesn’t mean much to the colleges I’m applying to, unfortunately.

So I will need to retake the ACT in October and probably December. However, my plan was to take the SAT IIs November or December…now I’m worried that dividing my time will just hurt me both ways. Should I just focus on the ACT and not even take the SAT IIs? Or should I see if I get the ACT score in October and take the SAT IIs in December? But then if I have to take the ACT in December…then I probably wouldn’t take the SAT IIs at all. I know they aren’t the same day, but that would be very, very stressful to take them the same month. But then I’m afraid not taking the subject tests will hurt me in college admissions!

Any words of wisdom?? Thanks!

2

Take a practice SAT test under timed conditions and see how you do. A 32 ACT is about equivalent to a 1470 for the new SAT. Compare your practice SAT to your ACT result and see which looks like the better option. You should be able to download a sample SAT test from the College Board website.

Are SAT II’s “recommended” if you are submitting the ACT (some schools do either/or)? Also are there specific SAT IIs that are recommended because of your desired major (for example engineering programs often want the Math II and one other science).

3

@mamaedefamilia I already chose the ACT over the SAT. I’m just planning to retake the ACT :slight_smile:

The schools do not require the SAT IIs according to whether I took the ACT or SAT, but they are strong recommended in general. I’m not going into engineering, but I wanted to take Math II and Biology M because those match my interests in the life sciences.

4

Sorry I misunderstood, above you said, “However, my plan was to take the SAT IIs November or December…” I thought you were contemplating the SAT I as well.