<p>When I first heard about the ACT, the person telling me about it described it as "the SAT's for dumb people who go to community colleges," and just accepted his word for it at the time. Heeding his advice, I proceeded to gear all of my limited focus onto SAT preparation and got a 2280. I was/am happy with it, and even though I think I can do a little better, I've more or less plateaued here.</p>
<p>Now, just a while ago, a friend began to brag to me about how his ACT score (35) technically beat my SAT score by that old Princeton conversion chart. The thing is, this kid took the SAT multiple times, and consistently scored under 2000. I have absolutely no faith in the fact that he could have ever improved, so I checked out the test for myself. After seeing sample tests, I am fairly confident that I could easily tie with that 35 and very likely get 36. My main question is whether or not admission boards also notice this discrepancy (which I've found to be the case with 100% of people I know taking the ACT well outscoring their supposedly converted SAT score), and if they don't, would getting a 35/36 do me any good, or just be considered on par with my SAT score? </p>
<p>For the record, I am going into my senior year, looking at ivy/top tiered schools.</p>
<p>The scale has shifted since the times of the Princeton chart. A 35 nowadays, I would say corresponds with a 2300-. Just take it if you wish. With a 2280 SAT, I am sure that the material on the ACT is easy enough for you to ace. However, spend a couple of days taking a couple of practice tests to get your timing down. The test is a lot faster paced than the SAT. Your not gonna ahve time to sit around on the reading and science sections like during the SAT sections. Most people, even the ones who get 36s, spend to the last couple of minutes working on those sections. Otherwise, a 36 is not out of your reach.</p>
<p>A 35 is probably slightly higher than a 2280, but a 36 is definitely better than your score.</p>
<p>The ACT is NOT the SAT for dumb people...that's incredibly offensive. The person who told you that is absolutely ridiculous.</p>
<p>With the ACT, you're a lot more hard pressed for time. I got a 2250 and got a 34 on the ACT. You could probably get a 35 (I'm taking the ACT again to try and get a 35) but a 36 is pretty difficult. I wouldn't be assuming about that.</p>
<p>As for whether it's actually worthwhile to take it...I would say probably. If you get a 35, it might look better than your 2280. If you don't do well for whatever reason, then you don't have to send it, so no big deal there either.</p>
<p>a 35 on the ACT is a 2340.. a 2280 is equivalent to a 34... the guy with a 35 was just being a dick, honestly... a 2280 is great, i wouldn't worry about it at all</p>
<p>and the ACT is not the SAT for dumb people.. it's just a different test.. they are both pretty equal... ACT has more straightforward material but much stricter timing... the SAT has more tricky material but less strict on timing... and about the same amount of people take both tests and the bell curves for the scores for both tests are pretty identical... some people are just better on one test than the other</p>
<p>anyway, your 2280 is fine... if you want to take the ACT to see if you can get a 34+, then go for it... and remember, even if you take the ACT and don't get a higher score, no college ever has to know about it since you can choose to send in your ACT score or not</p>
<p>boo. I hate it when people insult the ACT test(although I am biased toward it). I know friends who did bad on the ACT but got much higher in comparsion on the SAT. So it really boils down to that particular person. So just because of a high SAT, it does not mean that the ACT will be a breeze haha. But you can try the ACT, go for it. Good luck</p>
<p>ACT tests working speed and SAT tests logic.</p>
<p>Different people are better at different things, but if you are smart, you should be able to do well on both tests.</p>
<p>yeah, and really, now that all colleges accept either test, it doesn't matter which one your better at.. and i think your 2280 is a great score.. really, after 2280 and after 34, there aren't any more benefits to a higher score (besides bragging rights... and really, a 34 is enough to brag about)... i think your score's fine</p>
<p>The difference between a 35 and 2280 is extremely minimal if not completely nonexistent. Trust me, you are fine with your score. A 2280 is a great score, congratulations btw. A 2280 should be good enough for any school. If you get denied anywhere, it won't be because of your standardized test scores.</p>
<p>You won't be denied because of your scores, but a good score can be the difference between getting noticed and getting put in the pile with everyone else.</p>
<p>We here all know that SATs that high are not going to keep you out, but when aiming high, every little bit counts, especially if it doesn't take too much effort on your part.</p>