SAT retake vs. ACT?

Test Preparation
1

This is the mirror image of the “ACT retake vs. SAT?” thread. We’re dealing with the opposite question for my D. Re-take the SAT or just submit the ACT? H is leaning one way and I’m leaning the other.

D got 208 on the PSAT last year and 2080 on the SAT in May (790 CR, 620 M, 670 W).

She’s taken the ACT 3 times, and most recently in June scored a 33 (35R, 29M, 35E, 33S), with a superscore of 34 based on getting 36R and 36E in March. Also scored a 10 on ACT writing which is up from 8 last June, and yields a 33 combined English/Writing score (34 if you can combine it with the 36E from March). The 29M and 33S were personal bests.

She tried the SAT in May because her counselor told her she might perform better on Math since more time is allowed per problem. However, her 620 M is equivalent to only about a 27M on the ACT, from what I can see. And that 670 W is equivalent to a ACT combined English/Writing of about 30.

Now, that was her first time taking the SAT and she might improve (although from PSAT to SAT she didn’t really improve). However, her ACT scores along with her 4.0 UW GPA seem to qualify her for a high tier of merit aid at a number of schools, just based on automatic merit that comes up in school NPC’s, and more could be available once she actually applies. We’re not eligible for need-based aid, for all intents and purposes.

H thinks she should retake the SAT because he read somewhere that more schools superscore the SAT than the ACT, and she might improve between tests just like she did on the ACT, including Writing. My impression is many schools quasi-superscore the ACT by looking at the highest score on each section among all scores you send, even if they don’t calculate a superscore formally. It also looks like her 33 and 34, which really is a 33.5 rounded up, aren’t all that different for stat judging purposes. Particularly since we’re not pursuing first- or second-tier schools due to a major difference of opinion between the official EFC and what we want to pay :frowning:

Thoughts from those who have been there?

2

I would say to take the SAT another time. Your daughter aced the CR section which in my opinion is the hardest section. Taking the ACT 4 times is like ehhhh, especially when she’s sitting on a 33 (a great score),while taking the SAT for the 2nd time is perfectly normal.

To improve writing:
Erica Meltzer’s SAT Grammar Guide + a lot of practice tests to get a feel for the type of questions that the College Board asks. All you need is to know the basic grammar rules and 700+ should be attainable.

Math:
Do practice problems (From the Blue Book, and if possible, the SAT Online Course which costs 70 bucks)

That’s 20 practice tests total and I suggest your D to keep a notebook to track all her wrong questions.

Her math skills seem to be solid given the 29 Math on the ACT. The most important part of SAT Math is to read the question. The CB always tries to trick you (it’s a simple question but so many people get it wrong).

3

Thanks @rdeng2614 , we were not thinking of having her take the ACT again, I think we’re good there. I was hoping we could take standardized testing and prep off her plate for the fall and simply run with the ACT results we have. Your SAT prep plan sounds awesome, it’s just a question of the anxiety and bandwidth factors.

4

I would check the schools where she is interested in attending. Many schools do not superscore the ACT, so if you are counting on that for guaranteed merit you may be unpleasantly surprised.

5

So there would be a big difference between ACT 33 and 34? For admission, merit, or both? Acknowledging that would vary by school, what’s the general pattern historically?

6

BTW I ran all my NPC’s with the ACT score of 33, where it was requested.

7

I’m sure there are other examples, but I did a quick search and found this one, where the scholarship amount differed between a 33 and 34. http://onestop.utk.edu/volunteer-scholarship/

8

Ah, I see. Very useful, @suzy100 .

That said, UTK does superscore the ACT, according to their Web site http://admissions.utk.edu/apply/requirements/

Your point is well taken, though. I appreciate it.

9

If your daughter does not want to do standardized testing anymore, then I would recommend just stopping. A 33 ACT single sitting is terrific. I thought you were going to choose between the SAT and ACT but if taking neither is an option, I would advocate for that option so that your daughter can focus more on the college apps.

But just a side note: If you REALLY want merit aid, then depending on the schools that she is looking at, a high SAT score will help a ton. But if getting in is her main priority, then I would again recommend that she spend that extra time writing her essays.