<p>Hi! I have taken the SAT two times, and I am not satisfied with my score. I always do poorly on Critical Reading (low 600's) and 700's on CR and M, and therefore am deciding on giving the ACT a chance. I still want to take the SAT one more time though, and hopefully study a lot of vocab and get better on CR over the summer. However, I know colleges do not like it when students take the SAT more than three times. Assuming I take the SAT one last time in October, can I still take the ACT at least once or does taking the ACT basically count as a SAT. For example, if I take the SAT three times and the ACT once, would colleges think of it like I took a standardized test four times or would they give me three tries on my SAT and my ACT. I really want to do well on the SAT, but I know vocabulary and reading comprehension is my weak point, and want to give the ACT a try. Would colleges be fine if I take the SAT three times and the ACT more than once also? Or would they think I took it too many times.
Thanks!!</p>
<p>No, you’re fine to take the SAT 3 times and the ACT once. You’re probably still fine to take the ACT again if you so desire afterwords. Totally different test, one measures reasoning, the other is supposed to measure accumulated knowledge, but I don’t really think it does.</p>
<p>Our D did well on the SAT (National Merit Commended in CA). But the ACT was her test. Much higher scores with little prep. Give the ACT a chance. D did not even submit her SAT scores. (She did submit SAT Subject Test Scores)</p>
<p>Go for it.</p>
<p>ACT = more of a time constrained test overall + grasp of high school math
SAT = less time constraint, more focused on vocab, more logic + math tries to trick you on purpose</p>