<p>As per my guidance counselor's recommendation, I took both the ACT and SAT this year (as a junior). I'm planning to practice for and retake only one of them in the fall, but I'm having trouble deciding which I should choose.</p>
<p>Obviously, math is my weak point. I think my SAT score is stronger overall, but it's really just the writing section that's bringing me up. </p>
<p>Based on SAT/ACT conversion charts I've been looking at, I think my ACT math score is stronger - which makes me think that retaking the ACT would be the better choice. On the other hand, I'm uncomfortable with the fact that I'm planning on a science major and my science ACT score isn't as high as I had hoped for (I ran out of time) - even though I know that section isn't as important as Reading and Math are.</p>
<p>I'm leaning towards retaking the SAT, but I'm really not sure. Any input would be really appreciated!</p>
<p>Setting aside the SAT writing which most schools ignore, you did better on the ACT. According to Wiki, you are in about the 81st percentile on SATS (M+CR) and about at the 94th percentile on ACT composite. Also, I would research which test is most aligned with your HS curriculum. In other words, which one are you most likely to improve as a result of the classes that you took last semester junior year and first semester senior year. Also, do take a prep course whichever you choose. I don’t care what anyone tells you, your standardized test scores are the #1 factor in college admissions. YOu cannot take them too seriously if you want to go to a selective school and/or receive merit aid. Good luck.</p>
<p>^Uh hello? Isn’t GPA/performance in school the #1 factor hands down?</p>
<p>Since math is your weak point, it’s probably a good idea to go through a couple math-intensive test prep books to the test you like best. Most schools superscore SAT while idk about ACT. It’s your choice for that though.</p>
<p>Well, you might be right JoonBug, at least in a general sense, but I have found that with most students applying to the highly selective schools, nearly all have outstanding GPAs, rigorous course work and high rank. The differentiator is the standardized test score. Superscoring isn’t going to help Brie much as neither score is all that great. Brie is clearly better off with the ACT.</p>
<p>^you are correct in your analysis. However, you fail to realize that applicants to top schools generally have the same level of standardized test scores. Admissions at top schools rely on other factors because all of their applicants’ scores are so similar.</p>
<p>OP, test prep courses are a waste of money. Get a prep book for math of the test you prefer and start practicing. I don’t know what level of math you’re at, but that does affect performance on each test differently. The ACT essentially requires precalc-level algebra to get a high score while the SAT is generally lower level math that is applied to situations. So if you have the knowledge but aren’t good at applying it, the ACT is a better choice. Otherwise go with SAT.</p>
<p>Check with the colleges you plan on applying to. A number of schools superscore the SAT, but not the ACT.</p>
<p>If this is the case, if you retake the SAT you can spend more time on the Math and less on the other sections. With the ACT, you’d probably have to reprepare for the entire test, to avoid a likelihood of improving in some areas and declining in others. </p>
<p>However, every school is different, so you need to check on school policies.</p>
<p>I really appreciate everyone who has taken the time to offer advice.</p>
<p>I’ve taken honors level math through precalc, but I honestly can’t say I retained much information from precalc. Geometry through Algebra II I’m alright with, but the questions on the SATs confuse me. I get nervous because I have to reread them over and over, and then I feel as if I’m running out of time and can’t focus on just one question.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I understand what the math questions on the ACT are asking for, but I can’t remember how I’m supposed to solve them. Also, trig will be the death of me. </p>
<p>I can’t really afford to take a prep class, so I’m just going to have to buckle down and practice from now until October.</p>
<p>Brie, if you don’t mind saying, what specific schools and field of study are you interested in? Also, is the concern on your scores related to getting into schools, or about getting merit aid, or both. Depending on your answers, you may be fretting over nothing since you should have little trouble getting into a decent school with your scores as they are.</p>
<p>Crobinpa, I don’t mind at all. My intended major is biology, which I’m pretty set on (not pre-med, I want to go into research). </p>
<p>It’s not as if I’m looking at Ivies or anything, but at the moment I like Tufts, Georgetown, and TCNJ (I also love NYU, but I’m trying not to get too attached as the FA isn’t great and nothing particularly stands out about the biology department). So, though not as much for TCNJ, I suppose my concerns regarding scores are both getting in to schools and receiving merit aid.</p>
<p>So you like the city schools. Here is what I can offer you from my D’s recent experience. With a 32 ACT, 4.0, 7 out of 500 rank and all the ECs you could imagine, she got rejected at Duke, UVa, Georgetown and UNC. Got accepted at about 15 other schools including William & Mary, Richmond, NYU, and Honors Colleges at U of Maryland, Penn State, Drexel and U of Del. She was offered merit scholarships ranging from $8K - $25K per year. This biggest scholarships were offered at Drexel, Delaware, and Loyola. Given everything you have shared, you may want add Drexel to your list for consideration. If you are interested in suburban schools close to big cities, you may want to consider Maryland and Delaware. For all those schools you are on target with existing scores, and within striking distance of significant merit aid assuming the other stats and ECs are strong. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Crobinpa, again I really appreciate you taking the time to offer so much insight and advice (: I have actually been meaning to look into U of Del. and Drexel, so with your suggestion I definitely will.</p>