SAT and ACT scores don't seem to match up

Test Preparation
1

<p>Ever since middle school, I have always had high test scores. I scored advanced on the MD HSAs. Although, I can't seem to do well on AP tests (Govt-1, Lang-1, Human Geo-3, Bio-1, French-3, Euro-2). </p>

<p>This year was the first time taking the SAT and ACT. I was reluctant to take the SAT, because I felt it wouldn't be able to gauge my abilities correctly. I think my assumption was right. </p>

<p>I scored a 29 on the ACT ( English-35, Science-27, Math-25). I was really proud of myself on account of the 35 in English, as I want to major in English. Then I took the SAT. </p>

<p>I scored 1780 (Reading-620, Math-570, Writing-590). I feel that those scores don't match up with my ACT scores. I asked my College Prep teacher and she said that the ACT judges the student's abilities better than the SAT. For the final in that class, we took part of an SAT. It was English/Reading, and I only missed 2 from the 49. </p>

<p>I'm just confused about my SAT scores. They seem low (by my standards). Maybe I'm just being hard on myself. I don't know. </p>

<p>Also, how the "h-e double hockey sticks" did I get a 35 in the English part?!</p>

2

<p>people often do better on one test than the other; don’t fret it! just don’t submit your sat</p>

3

<p>[Estimated</a> Relationship between ACT Composite Score and SAT CR+M+W Score](<a href=“http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html]Estimated”>http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html)</p>

<p>You did better on ACT. Some people do.</p>

4

<p>They are different types of tests and some people do much better on one than the other, it is fairly normal.</p>

5

<p>Hmm. I figured if you do well on one, then you should do well on the other. Apparently not. I mean they are (distantly) similar. </p>

<p>I’ve sent my SAT score to only one college, just because I put it on the list to receive the score. And, I definitely won’t be sending it to any more.</p>

6

<p>Most people are better at one than the other. The ACT is just more your type of test. If you list English as a possible major then that 35 could really help you. And yeah, definitely don’t send that SAT to any more schools.</p>

7

<p>I’ve heard the ACT is more straightforward and SAT is a bit more tricky (tries to trip you up).</p>

8

<p>My D far prefers ACT. Her 2 reasons - there’s science on the ACT (a strength for her) and that the actual “taking” format of the ACT works better for her - she much preferred the pacing and timing, so she said she felt much less drained and fatigued (and bored) during the ACT. Some people are probably just the opposite. I guess just focus on the one that works best for you!</p>

9

<p>^^ Yeah, the SAT is known for being more convoluted. The questions are more likely to try to trick you whereas the ACT is much more direct. </p>

<p>However, the science on the ACT isn’t really science at all (it’s reading comprehension and graphical/table interpretation mostly). You don’t actually have to go in knowing any science to be able to answer the questions.</p>