<p>I've been dedicated to the SAT for a few months now and am planning on taking Subject Tests in May and June. However, I only got an 1830 on the SAT I and am terrified for Bio and U.S. History Subject Tests. The thing is, if I don't do well on the subject tests, I basically have no shot for my dream school, Barnard. So, do you guys think I should switch to the ACT and just focus on that for the next five months?</p>
<p>You have about 4 weeks until the next ACT. Get the Redbook and take practice tests between now and then. It will give you a basis and who knows, maybe a score you can live with.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! I’ve been really stressed with AP Exams and subject tests though…so I feel that I won’t be able to prepare in time. I’m taking a practice test tomorrow to judge what I would get as a potential score…but do you think the switch is a good idea?</p>
<p>The difference in tests is personal. Some do better and prefer the SAT while others do better and prefer the ACT. My daughter liked the SAT better and my son liked the ACT better. They took both so they could decide and focus more on one test. There really isn’t much to lose other than a few bucks to take it. I wouldn’t waste time and money taking it totally unprepared though. </p>
<p>You will never know which is better for you unless you take both.</p>
<p>For me, I spent a lot of time and money preparing for the sats. I got a 2000 superscored. I only took the act cause my guidance counselor said it would be a good idea. My prep consisted of like 3 practice tests and I ended up getting a 32. Try the act, it might work for you</p>
<p>Spend the week after subject test to prep for ACT and take the test on 6/8. Ideally, you should spend more time to prep for the test and do many timed full practice tests first. Since you are running out of time, you may want to take the first one in June after a few practice tests.</p>
<p>But wouldn’t it make sense to take it in october, giving me months to prepare?</p>
<p>You may take it in October as well, but that would be you last chance for EA. That’s why I said you should try it out in June first.</p>
<p>Sent from my NookColor using CC</p>
<p>Why not take both? If you study wisely, 4 weeks should be enough for a 32+ score. Don’t abort the SAT unless you feel very uncomfortable with the test itself.</p>
<p>musicforlife, I’m in the same boat as you. I took the SAT and hit a low 1800 and obviously was not very happy. I decided I was going to try the ACT (taking it in June) I took my first practice test today and scored a 31</p>
<p>In my opinion, the English section is easy if you know basic grammar (I got a 32), the Math section is so much more clear and straight forward than the SAT (I got a 32,) the Reading is also more straightforward (I got a 32,) and the Science is just eh, when I reviewed my answers I realized where I went wrong (I got a 29.)</p>
<p>In my opinion, if your problem is interpreting the SAT’s questions, take the ACT. Also, if you aren’t too great at vocabulary take the ACT.</p>
<p>EDIT: Also, my friend who scored an 1890 on his SAT scored a 34 on his ACT.</p>