Hi! I am very conflicted between taking the new SAT and ACT.
I took two diagnostics at my local test prep place. On the ACT, I got a 34, and on the SAT I got a 1520. (without studying) Also, I got a 1490 on the PSAT. I think taking the ACT would be easier for me, however, I took the old SAT in freshmen year and got a 2230. I am very dissatisfied with this score.
In order to show colleges my capabilities, would it make more sense to take the SAT to essentially “cover up” that score? If I do the ACT, if I do well on it, will it also “cover up” my bad SAT score? I am planning on applying to colleges that require you to send in all scores, so I just want to know if a good ACT score can make up for it, or if only a good SAT score can do that.
I am currently a sophomore and plan to take whichever test in June.
Take both since you do well on both. I would go with the ACT because there is a lot more old tests and materials to study from. You did well on the new SAT so take it once. Most students attending top tier schools take both multiple times.
If you get a PSAT score like that as a junior, you will probably get NMSF, in which case you will need to take the SAT to get a “confirming score”. The confirming score with the old SAT was 1960. People don’t know what it will be with the new SAT, but probably comparable, so it shouldn’t be difficult. There’s a range of dates over which you can take the confirming SAT. I think June of sophomore year works. A freshman year SAT score is outside the date range, I believe.
You will probably want to take whatever test again as a junior unless you pretty much max it out as a sophomore. Diagnostics for the new SAT are iffy as this point.
I would take one test first (your SAT practice looks promising) and see how you like it; if you are unsatisfied with your score, then take the other test.
Was writing your weakness or strength on the old SAT?
No school is going to care about the 9th grade score. I would definitely not take either test as a 10th grader though. Wait until mid-junior year like most people do when you’ve had more classes and time to mature.
@liveyourbest
Don’t worry, you still have a year to fix that. I didn’t do great on the psat but when I got the blue new SAT book and the Kaplan math work book, taking the march test was a breeze(since the problems in the book are harder then most on the test). Or you can use Khan Academy. Their level 4 lessons are very conceptual so if you can practice those lessons it will improve your score ALOT. Your safe… for now.