I’m a senior student, and so I only really have 1 or two shots at the SAT/ACT tests.
I’ve been doing the SAT on Khan academy for the past few weeks and am getting a score around 1300-1350 mainly the reading score is low - 550-660 , maths is alright 700+
However, the ACT is also another option - and I’m not sure which to take because I can only focus on one. For schools that require SAT subject tests - this means I must take the SAT before right? So no point in doing the ACT in that case unless I have more time. Which schools require SAT subject tests - and don’t let the ACT compensate for this? (looking at the top 25ish schools)
And any general tips to go about the english section, and the essay writing section?
Most school require EITHER the SAT and 2 Subject Tests OR the ACT.
This is a general requirement observed in many schools do you should definitely check up on the individual requirements of the schools you’re applying to (try their websites or prepscholar to check this).
But more often than not, you should be fine with just ACT and no subject tests. Or you could also take SAT and then take Subject Tests.
Personally since you’re a senior I would advise you to just take the ACT to save time and ensure total dedication so you can do your best.
But most deadlines have already passed, even if you take the tests now you’ll only be considered for the next year’s batch and not this year, then you would be a drop year student. Have you figured this in your plans?
Best of luck!
You’re applying for fall 2018, so you have plenty of time to prepare and take the tests. Right now, Try practice tests for each, figure out which one you like best, and take them this spring. Take subject tests in May or June in subjects you just completed.
I tutor verbal sections of both tests, and science on the ACT. I believe the SAT reading and English sections are more difficult on the SAT, however, there is more time to do those sections. I believe the ACT is more straightforward, certainly in reading, though English is very similar in both tests. The ACT is very time-crunched, and speed is of the essence. The ACT also has the science sections, whihc is really more like a reading test, and a logic test as well. You will have to examine a lot of data in a very short time frame.
Both tests have an optional essay. The essays are quite different, and again, my opinion is that the ACT essay is easier, though many people prefer the SAT essay. The ACT essay allows you to draw from personal experience, or to simply create your own supporting evidence to write a persuasive essay. The SAT essay requires you to analyze a document and write on how the author presents an argument.
As far as math on both tests, my understanding is that they cover very similar content, but ACT math is a little more difficult. And of course, the time element is more crunched on the ACT.
I suggest doing both tests and seeing which you prefer. Both are challenging.
Colleges that require test scores accept either SAT or ACT. As to subject tests, you have the following groups of US colleges:
The overwhelming majority of colleges that do not use them to determine admission.
A total of 11 colleges that actually require two subject tests for all or most of their programs : Brown, CalTech, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Haverford, Harvey Mudd, Rice, Tufts, Webb and Wellesley. Five of those -- Brown, Rice, Haverford, Tufts, and Wellesley -- accept the ACT in lieu of both the SAT and SAT subject tests. The other 7 do not require you to submit SAT with the subject tests but instead want subject tests whether you submit SAT or ACT. There are also some colleges that require subject tests for certain programs only such as engineering at Coopers Union, some that require them for special programs like being admitted to a combined, though sequential, undergrad and grad program as a freshman, and many that require them of home-schooled applicants but no others. In those situations the subject test are required whether you submit SAT or ACT, and you can submit ACT rather than SAT.
A group of about 25 colleges, including several of your ivies and Stanford, that do not require but recommend subject tests. All of those recommend two except Georgetown which recommends three. They are recommended regardless of whether you submit SAT or ACT.
Another group of about 20 colleges that will "consider" subject tests if you send them but neither require nor recommend them, and they will consider them regardless of whether you submit SAT or ACT.
And then there is Weslayan, the college with the weirdest test directives in the nation. You do not need to submit any test scores for determining admission. However, after you are admitted, you must submit either an SAT or ACT test, plus two subject tests, supposedly because they are used for placement.
In other words, for no college is it true that you can submit subject tests only if you submit SAT, but for five of the 11 colleges that normally require subject tests, you can avoid taking them if you submit ACT.
As to when you can take a test, you mention you are currently a senior but unless you have already applied for college to begin next fall, you will have to wait to apply for entry into the Fall class of 2018 for majority of colleges including all your higher ranks. If you are actually considering applying for Fall of 2017, and you take the next available SAT, your choices will be limited to colleges for which applications into Fall 2017 are accepted throughout the summer and that group essentially consists of colleges that are quite easy to get into with a low test score or do not not even require test scores, and none of those even want subject test scores.
If your plan is to apply for Fall 2018, then you have ample time to take all testing needed since you can still take tests next Fall (it is not required that you still be in high school to take and submit them).
I got a 27/28 score on the ACT, so it’s very much similar. I’m just not sure which to focus on. And I will be applying this year - not sure if it’s fall 2018? I’ll be applying this year - 2017
I’m applying this year 2017 - is this considered Fall 2018? Sorry I’m not American so the dates/seasons seem rather stranger to me. Also out school year goes from Feb to Dec
Okay, you’re a senior starting this month, more or less, right?
So yes you’ll be applyingduring summer and Fall 2017 for Fall 2018 (you’d start college in August or September 2018, which is summer in the US).
In the US, it’s the end of senior year (it ends in May, and college decisions are announced well before. Some aplications are up in July, and most others are available in September!)
Ohh I gotcha! Yep I’ll be applying this year, for Fall 2018. It doesn’t give me a lot of time though… I would say less than 8-10 months to prepare for the test, and I only have 1-2 chances of taking it and a shot at the subject tests as well.
I still don’t know which to take… I might take another practise ACT test, since I’ve taken 2 practise SATs
Well, strictly speaking, you should take the test THIS May and THIS June, in order to be done with Subject Tests and to have a base score against which to work and prep. You get one, perhaps two, more shots in the Fall. Over the summer (well, Winter for you?.. June-August) you’d write your essays, start the easy apps (like UAlabama, state flagships…) and complete the general part of the CommonApp. In the Fall you’d work on your supplements.
In addition, starting now, get the Fiske Guide and Princeton Review’s Best college (former = comprehensive, gives a good idea of the fit/vibe/personality of each college; latter = concise, good book to start with). You need to develop your list of colleges, with reaches, matches/likelies, and safeties.
Will you need financial aid? Are you an American citizen who lives abroad or are you international (= you’ll need a visa)?
mainly the reading score is low - 550-660 , maths is alright 700+