<p>Hello guys,</p>
<p>Wanted to know your opinions on the topic. Which is harder - getting a 31+ on the ACT or getting a 2200+ on the SAT?</p>
<p>Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>2200+ on the SAT - since a 2200 on the SAT is roughly the equivalent of a 34 on the ACT. </p>
<p>If you were, however, comparing a 2200+ to a 34+, then I would say that it would depend on the person. The ACT seems to have a fair balance of subjects, in order to truly benefit the all-rounder. The SAT, on the other hand, favors the critical thinker who has an aptitude for Reading and Writing (while still rewarding the creative math genius). </p>
<p>@EngineBus2015 - Wouldn’t a 2200+ be equivalent to 31+ or 32+? </p>
<p>Interesting opinion nevertheless. What about the grading? I know more people have been able to achieve 36’s on the ACT lately, but doing 1 or 2 errors on each section brings you down by a lot! On the SAT, can’t you do something like 5 errors or so before leaving the 800 zone?</p>
<p>@Dannnn - Take a look at this: <a href=“http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html”>http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html</a>. A 2200+ is about 33+.</p>
<p>For grading, I find that the ACT is more forgiving of simple mistakes, especially on math. This can be partially attributed to the difficulty of ACT math problems in comparison to SAT math, but basically, 1 wrong on ACT math can still be a 36, while 1 wrong on SAT math can be as low as a 760. Plus, ACT uses an average so you can get a 35.5 average and still get the coveted 36. On the other hand, missing even a few on the SAT will put you into the 2300s. So in a way, the SAT is tougher.</p>
<p>As for the 5 errors comment, that’s quite the exaggeration. You might be able to miss 2 on CR and still get an 800, but math demands perfection as does Writing multiple choice for the most part (although there is the rare case that someone misses 1 MC and gets a 12 essay, which could be an 800).</p>
<p>Idk I think both tests have their merits, but I kind of like the SAT better since it demands more critical thinking as opposed to more speed.</p>
<p>@EngineBus2015 Fair enough. So if you’re able to think fast, go with the ACT. If you like to take your time and go deeper into the subjects, take the SAT. Correct?</p>
<p>@Dannnn - Yeah, pretty much. To sum up high school standardized testing in one sentence: If someone were to take a full ACT test with unlimited time vs. a full SAT test with unlimited time, he/she would be more likely to get a 36 on the ACT than a 2400 or even 2200+ perhaps on the SAT.</p>
<p>ACT 31 is approximately around SAT 2100. You may look up the percentile table for both tests to compare.</p>
<p>@EngineBus2015 I see your point. Is the time constraint really that bad on the ACT? How long should each question take?</p>
<p>@billcsho Oh ok! Thanks for letting us know.</p>
<p>@Dannnn - In my opinion, yes.</p>
<p>Not including the essay…</p>
<p>ACT Section Timing:
English: 75 questions in 45 minutes
Math: 60 questions in 60 minutes
Reading: 40 questions in 35 minutes</p>
<h2>Science: 40 questions in 35 minutes</h2>
<p>Total: 215 questions in 175 minutes or about 49 seconds per question </p>
<p>SAT Section Timing (consolidating all non-experimental questions):
CR: 67 questions in 70 minutes
Math: 54 questions in 70 minutes</p>
<h2>Writing MC: 49 questions in 35 minutes</h2>
<p>Total: 170 questions in 175 minutes or about 62 seconds per question</p>
<p>These are, of course, just overall numbers/averages and timing should be adjusted to each section, but it just goes to show that the ACT has an obvious time constraint.</p>
<p>@EngineBus2015 - If the questions on the ACT are more straight up, wouldn’t that account for the time withdrawal? If you think about it (from what I’ve heard anyway), the ACT questions just require a straight-up answer, no tricky wording. However, the SAT questions try to trick you with their wording. Do you think the time it takes you to decipher the SAT questions could make them equivalent to the ACT questions (in terms of actual time to answer the question)?</p>
<p>In my opinion, neither test requires overthinking. However, the straightforwardness of the ACT paired with its time constraint does help even out the playing field with the SAT. As a result, I feel that the SAT is the easier test to master with tons of practice and familiarity as opposed to the ACT, which really just requires strict time management during the test.</p>
<p>@EngineBus2015 </p>
<p>If the straightforwardness evens it out, why would the SAT be any easier to master?</p>
<p>I always feel that content is easier to master than the timing aspect. There’s only so much the CB can do to throw you off as far as the question goes, but with the ACT, anything that does throw you off costs time. Time is more unpredictable than content; thus, my opinion.</p>
<p>Lol sorry if I sound hypocritical but yeah idk…</p>
<p>@EngineBus2015 - Don’t say sorry! I love hearing other people’s opinions. Personally, I think I’m very good with timing so hopefully I find the ACT easy!</p>