<p>Isn't it weird how a lot of sources report something like this:</p>
<p>Middle 50% SAT Reading score: 600-700
Middle 50% SAT Math score: 600 - 700
Middle 50% SAT Writing score: 600 - 700
Middle 50% ACT score: 28-31 (made up, forgive me if it doesn't correspond)</p>
<p>Now, say a person A receives:
CR-600 M-700 W-700
Total: 2000</p>
<p>and person B receives:
E-28 R-28 M-31 S-31 W-12
Total: 30</p>
<p>A few questions:
1. looking at percentiles, why is the 30 "higher"? is it because more lower-scorers take the test? I'd say the ACTs more popular in mid-US rather than the two coasts, so averages are lower than compared with the west/east coast areas (which are more SAT-oriented: therefore, west/east coast students that take it will, in general, score higher)?
2. in the chances thread, why do (many) ppl post only their overall ACT score? (compared to the SAT takers who write down their sub-sections). I noticed how ppl will say, ah, that's a good score, but does it matter if the 30 was received by getting 25/30/30/33, assuming overall 30? The reason I ask this is because if you say you got 500/750/750 or something like that, ppl will say eesh, that 500 will pull you down a lot - but what about that 25?
3. even ppl who ask me (and others) what our scores are, ppl will say something like 2000, and then be asked about subsections, whereas the ACT takers will say something like 30 and not be questioned. why is that?</p>
<p>i think that colleges compare SAT scores to the SAT scores of their class and ACT scores to the ACT scores of their class, or take a general estimate of where you are by lose approximation</p>
<p>I would believe the reason the percentiles don’t break down in a similar fashion is because of the kids taking the tests. Around my area, there is the perception that the ACT is easier than the SAT. I personally disagree, but it’s the general consensus. I think this is the general perception of a vast majority of students. Because of this, kids who likely won’t do well on either test end up only taking the ACT.</p>
<p>In addition, it also seems that many kids choose only to send their ACT scores to schools. If so, this could account for the differences.</p>
<p>For example, take a look at these UC statistics. They have the ACT composite and SAT composite AND the SAT subscores. (while the ACT subscores are not shown) True that West coast schools generally show a leaning towards the SAT but if you take a look at some SAT vs ACT conversion charts, you’ll notice that they don’t quite match up to the percentile. For example, a 32 is a 99 percentile. Not true for the SAT even depending on the range of your sources.</p>
<p>I think it’s because more people take the ACT, that’s why the percentiles are different. I know so many kids who have never dared take the SAT because they thought it was “harder”, whereas the ACT is seen as easier. Probably because colleges see ur best score, and wrong answers dont deduct</p>