SAT v. ACT

Test Preparation
1

<p>I live in an area where everyone takes the SAT and PSAT and no one I know of takes the ACT. First, succintly, what's the difference between the two? My dad says that the ACT is better for more mathematical people, and thus he wants me to take it. Would you recommend this, or would it look negatively because I already took the SAT and/or because no one else in my town takes it? {By the way, I got a 2130 on my sophomore PSAT with 670 critical reading, 800 math, and 660 writing.}</p>

2

<p>One of the big differences is that the ACT tests science, but the SAT doesn't. I personally think that the SAT tests how well you can take an SAT, but the ACT tests you on what you really learned in school. The ACT tests up to trig, so if you're solid on trig, I'd say go for it. </p>

<p>btw there's a chart with the full list of differences here: <a href="http://www.princetonreview.com/college/testprep/testprep.asp?TPRPAGE=141&type=ACT-LEARN%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.princetonreview.com/college/testprep/testprep.asp?TPRPAGE=141&type=ACT-LEARN&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

3

<p>I think the big difference is time... The ACT screws you over...</p>

4

<p>Jusgimmethegun is right. The questions are easy but the time is short, especially on the science.</p>

5

<p>You can't KNOW which test you'll perform better on without taking both. My kids' school recommends ALL kids take both tests & see which one they perform better on & use those scores in their college aps. You only send the scores you want the schools to consider. You can borrow the ACT preparation book from the library & try taking a few sample tests, timed & see how you do.
2130 for the SAT is good already & you'll probably do better now that you're older (at least that's what happened with my kids).
My son took the SAT & did well on it. He also took the ACT & did just about equally well on it. His HS transcipt lists all his standardized test scores, so both will be listed, but he's just sending his SAT I & SAT II scroes, since that's what most of the schools he's applying to prefer (& they're mostly 760-800, with one 700 for writing).</p>

6

<p>The ACT has slightly harder material, but is more straightforward than the SAT.
For whatever reason, I fall for every trick on the SAT, but I do really well on the ACT. I went from a 2210 SAT to a 35 ACT.</p>

<p>Just goes to show you how subjective these tests are, but also what a difference another test can make. Try both.</p>

7

<p>gee i wish i fell for every trick and ended up with a 2210</p>