<p>I disagree w/ jsmall. The ACT actually tests subjects and aspects of those subjects that we've learned in school. I think the math is designed for people who have had at least a semester of trigonometry. It's a much more relevant test than the SAT...it doesn't try to trick you. It's very literal. </p>
<p>And yeah, the timing is the only downside, but hey, I'd rather froce myself to plow through a relevant test that showcases what I've learned rather than staring at my SAT booklet feeling like an idiot because I haven't taken the time to learn the "tips and tricks" of passing a stupid test.</p>
<p>Thats fine Joli.Hauteur, but the SAT is a reasoning test, not an achievement test. It isn't a test to see how much you have learned, but a test that shows your reasoning and critical thinking abilities. The SAT is a more fair test than the ACT because it doesn't require you to know specific material. I disagree with people who say that the SAT doesn't show intelect because of the fact that it's "tricky". In fact, the SAT shows intelect more so than the ACT because it requires you to catch their tricks, opposed to answering questions based on what you may, or may not have learned in school.</p>
<p>And personally, I would rather take a test that shows my itellectual ability rather than a test that shows what I learned in school. That's what my courses and grades are for.</p>
<p>The problem with the SAT for me is that I have very different interpretive skills than most people. I over-analyze EVERYTHING, often deriving a different, yet equally correct (once you give me a chance to explain my reasoning), analysis. However, with a multiple choice answer selection, I have no platform to state my case or debate my interpretation. I have a long history of teachers, especially English teachers, saying, "You know, I've never thought of it like that, but you're right!" </p>
<p>I'm actually very proud of my vast knowledge of grammar, mathematics, reading/interpretive (within reason), and scientific skills (as well as writing). I would rather show what I KNOW, rather than my thought process... Which would be disregarded as WRONG by the SAT people just because it was unconventional.</p>
<p>I'm very similar, Bill. I overanalyze like crazy, and second-guess myself.</p>
<p>Another thing I like about the ACT and their lack of "trying to get you" like the SAT is that they never put that answer (especially in the math section) that could be found doing the common WRONG method. The SAT seems to have a knack for being sinister and always putting that "second" answer on there. And I hate them for it.</p>
<p>ALSO. The ACT commends those who have chosen to advance in math. My 14 year old brother could probably whoop my SAT math score because he's taking Algebra I and Geometry right now, which is mostly what's on the SAT. I don't remember a lot of that, and it seems like the ACT showcased a lot of the material we covered in my eleventh grade trig/pre-calc class. </p>
<p>Which is the POINT. To showcase what you've learned up to junior/senior year. Not to challenge you to think back to 8th-9th grade.</p>
<p>Also, the vocab on the SAT is ridiculous. I will not be judged by whether or not I know 10 words. Ridiculous.</p>
<p>I think the SAT is by far easier to study for. Words are intimidating, but really, memorize 500 of the most common words and ur set. It may seem like a lot, but imagine all the things ur brain has memorized, you are capable. </p>
<p>But like every1 said, i like the ACT because it doesn't trick you. You dont need to second guess yourself, because your first guess is 99% most likely to be right</p>
<p>haha everyone here has so far brought up very valid points.
I do prefer the SAT, although we'll see which score I do better on when Dec. 20 comes around...that might change my preference :P</p>
<p>In terms of trying to trick you, I think thats most evident in the CR section. In math, the SAT doesnt change units pretty much ever, and when they do, they will underline/bold it a lot. True, it does employ tricky MC answers, but I noticed that the ACT is not devoid of those either (ex. you find length of half of the segment instead of full, y^2 instead of y, etc.) SAT math is definitely less comprehensive than ACT math, but I feel that some of their questions are much harder than ACT ones. I just get the feeling that ACT is a test over basic (basic as in surface, since it definitely goes into trig...) knowledge, whereas SAT actually tests your knowledge/reasoning of those math principles.</p>
<p>Writing is comparable, though here the SAT also tests the same concepts, but more of them. This may be the only section that the SAT is more "comprehensive".</p>
<p>I think most of the debate comes down to CR. Vocab I think is a viable way to test reading level, because though you may not have learned all the words in school, the words they test you on are definitely important ones you should know by college. With the interpretations, I can definitely see why it can be hard - it still is tricky for me. However, ACT reading is too straightforward. The answers are all in the passage itself - word for word. It seems like there is no interpretation involved, all it is just reading fast and remembering details.</p>
<p>Ultimately I think its good that we have BOTH the ACT and SAT. At least that gives us some options (though I have to take both >.<). Anyway, hopefully the curves for this test will be good!</p>
<p>Also, I disagree that the SAT is easier to study for.</p>
<p>The ACT was just like a review of all the work I've done in the last 2ish years. It was lovely and not intimidating at all. For the longest time my self-esteem was SO shot by the SAT because it made me look like an idiot on paper.</p>
<p>The ACT restored a lot of my confidence and made me feel like I had a chance in this ridiculous standardized test game.</p>