<p>After spending some time practicing the SATs, I'm still getting fairly low scores (around 2000). I know a 2000 isn't a low score, but I'm aiming more around the 2200 range.</p>
<p>My academic strengths are strongly focused on the science and math areas, and much less on english, and I was recently told that I should take the ACT because it puts less weight on the English sections. I also want to take it as an alternative to the SAT - if I screw up the SAT and I do well on the ACT, then I won't have to submit my SAT scores...</p>
<p>Is it common for people who are good at science/math to get around 2000 in the SAT, but then score much higher in the ACT? Is it a good idea for me to take the ACT instead (or in addition)?</p>
<p>Where can I find some ACT practice papers to see the format of the questions? Also, how long is the test? Is it anything like the SAT?</p>
<p>Have there been any success stories with people who were in my situation?</p>
<p>you can download a real test from the ACT website. Also, they sell the "red book" which has three Real ACT tests.</p>
<p>With score choice, there is no reason not to try the ACT. When you register, don't list your HS nor any colleges so you can see the score first.</p>
<p>I don't know about people who are more science focused doing better, but I hear a lot of times that some people do better at the ACT. Looking over the tests, I certainly am one.</p>
<p>The ACT puts equal weight on all the subjects. You in fact have to take two Language Arts type test, an English test and a Reading test You also take a Math test and a Science test. Each test gets a score on the same 1-36 scale. Your average of the scores is your composite.</p>
<p>You can also take the writing tests that most college require. It is a separate score on a scale of 2-12 that becomes part of the English score. I guess ACT doesn't put more weight on English in that a whole third of your score doesn't rests on the essay, like the SAT. </p>
<p>On the ACT website, they have practice questions and essay topics (and I'm thinking maybe a practice test?) and information on the test and it's format. I would recommend to get some test books to see how you do. There are threads on here with reviews of the different practice books. Just a note on the practice books, though, because you mentioned science. Before RE-taking the ACT, I looked over the practice tests in the book. The science tests were off. I guess it's hard to replicate that test. Despite being my highest score (a 35) when taking the test cold and having no idea what to expect from that test, I always found the science tests difficult to understand and answer and even finish. The questions were weird and I thought maybe it was a fluke. I took the ACT again last month and the real Science test wasn't actually that bad. I was able to comprehend every experiment and even (barely) finished. I wouldn't look to much into science practice tests, unless it comes from the ACT people.</p>
<p>One other question - I'm an IB student taking maths and physics at HL and chemistry at SL. However, I'm not taking Biology (I dropped it last year). Will this be a problem in the science section of the test, or will I be able to cope with what I've already learned in Biology?</p>
<p>all the info needed to answer the science questions is provided. It is not like a SAT Subject Test. SPEED reading of graphs and charts is required. A basic knowledge of scientific terms is helpful, but not required.</p>
<p>Take a practice test at home under timed conditions.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure. Most of the test isn't science facts. You are either given an experiment and some results and asked to interpret the data (lots of charts!) and make conclusion or are given two conflicting ideas and asked to make inferences. I took the test the first time without having studying physics. I had no idea what an Ohm or Pascal or whatever was, but just treated it as a measurement. Any math you will have to do is basic and there isn't any type of equations or conversions.</p>
<p>On the ACT, the science section doens't so much check your science knowledge as it checks your speed at looking at charts to glean information in order to answer the question. Your chart and graph reading skills are being evaluated, it would seem.</p>
<p>Often people who don't do well on the SAT do better on the ACT. The ACT seems to test knowledge of math and English facts, etc. better than the SAT in that you have to apply what you know, supposedly, on the SAT. It's supposed to be more straightforward on the ACT.</p>
<p>I would register and take the ACT in DEcember, if I were you.</p>
<p>ACT math includes 4 trig problems, 2 of which are always right angle trig problems, and speed is more important. SAT math only goes up through Alg II, but SAT math includes more reasoning problems. What is "harder" really depends on your personal style.</p>