Should I retake the ACT or SAT?

Test Preparation
1

I am conflicted about which test to retake. I have taken both the SAT and ACT, score breakdown as follows:

ACT - 30
English- 31
Math - 26
Reading - 34
Science - 29

SAT - 1330
Math - 620
English/Reading/Whatever - 710

The thing dragging me down is obviously my math score. Overall, I found the SAT to be easier because of time. On the ACT, I still had two columns of answers to go by the time the English section was almost finished and I just random bubbled them in before time was up. I managed my time better on the other sections but still random bubbled in at least a column on most of them. I didn’t even get to the last experiment on the science section, I guessed over an entire column of bubbles.

The thing is that even though I random guessed a LOT of questions, I still got a pretty OK score. My thinking is that if I actually bring a watch with me to the next test and practice time management at home with practice tests, I can get a great score. I found that the questions themselves were easy - I just didn’t realize the time restraints before walking in and that killed me in the end. By the time I walked out I was positive I did horribly and my head was still reeling at how FAST I was pushed to go. I am still speechless at how fast it was. To be honest, the reading section was the only one I actually completed in time and I got a great score in that section, so I’m hoping the same results could translate to other sections if I did everything in the time frame given.

On the SAT, I feel to improve my score I’d have to study actual concepts and improve my knowledge instead of just practicing speed, which seems way more difficult, but then again it’s just my math score I’d have to improve and not a variety of subjects. I also had a LOT of time left over when I took the SAT (if I take it again, I am definitely going to go slower), so time management was a breeze on that one.

Now that I have taken both, I am planning to retake one of them for the final time but can’t decide which one. Suggestions? I am aiming for a 1400+ SAT or 32 ACT.

2

I think it’d be easier for you to improve your ACT score based on what you’ve said. You could also improve the science score with study which could bring you into the range you’re looking for.

3

Your 30 on the ACT is higher than your SAT score, if you use concordance tables. Your 30 is equivalent to getting a 1390-1410 on the SAT.

A 32 ACT scales to a 1450-1470 on the SAT. Your ACT-SAT score coordination is a bit off. :slight_smile: Your score is better than you think, and you should plan appropriately.

4

@mohammadmohd18

That’s weird because on my school’s family connection naviance site the chart they have posted shows that a 30 ACT is in the 1330-1350 range and a 32 ACT is in the 1400-1430 range, but then when I click on the image’s source (http://www.studypoint.com/ed/sat-to-act-conversion/) a table with your scaling shows up. :-/ I should probably tell someone about that.

But anyways, I guess I will be retaking the ACT then, if I did indeed score higher on that. I was under the assumption that I scored in the same range on both tests.