Hello, I am a student of 12th grade and, probably, I would take a gap year.
I have been preparing for the SAT for about a year, while I have not been preparing for the ACT at all. However, I have taken the SAT test three times: 1390, 1320 and more or less 1400. And I have not taken the ACT at all.
Now I want to take one more test to reapply the next year. I have been preparing for the SAT for a longer time, but the fact that I needed so many SATs to achieve a high score would look bad, I think. Whereas, if I take the ACT I would send only one SAT score, but I do not have a strong background.
So what should I take?
Prep for it. I have known a couple of kids whose SAT scores were in your range and below who got a 34/35 on the ACT first time. But they prepped. The general feeling is that the aaCT is easier but you have to work faster. Of course, ymmv.
take a practice act, strictly timed, and see how you do. i originally scored a 1370 for SAT, but got a 33 my first ACT exam with zero practice, the test ws just better for me. try it and see
Yes, but all of my books I have bought are for the SAT (BlackBook, Princeton, Erica Meltzer, CollegeBoard and a few more). That also reinforces the problem
I recommend that you try to take a diagnostic test to see which exam is a better fit for you. I think the SAT has trickier questions but ACT gives you less time for each problem. You really have to think quickly with the ACT. It’s up to you to determine which one fits you better.
I went in expecting to take the SAT and then ended up taking the ACT to send to colleges, a test that I had never even heard of before.
What is your goal? SAT 1390 should get you in a decent college. I am not sure taking gap year to prep for ACT is a good idea or not. At least, it should not be the reason.