Should I switch to the ACT?

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I have a min-dilemna that i need some help with. I'm having some trouble with my standardized tests. Over the summer than through thanksgiving break I have prepped for the SAT. I took it in Oct and scored a 2160, I took it again in December after heavy prep through thanksgiving break and scored 20 points lower.</p>

<p>My breakdowns were:
CR: 760
Math: 700
Writing: 700</p>

<p>and</p>

<p>CR: 740
Math: 680
Writing: 720</p>

<p>10 Essay on both</p>

<p>For some reason I keep on missing the easy questions in math and CR, and in writing I do not know what went wrong. I am pretty discouraged because my other scores are pretty strong (4.8 weighted GPA) and all my friends are scoring 2250+. Should I switch over and start prepping for the ACT or should I still stick to prepping for the SAT? Thanks, all help is appreciated!</p>

<p>I also usually score way higher on the practice tests and usually have my math at 750+. It seems like I just choke on the actual test days…</p>

<p>Any advice?</p>

<p>bumpppp 10char</p>

<p>In my opinion, if you have the time and after looking over the ACT, you like the format better, you should give it a shot? You should definitely focus on what you’re getting wrong on the SAT if you want to bump your score. For me, I’d say math is the best place to bump up your score, but that may be just for me (more inclined to math than reading and writing). But also take into account, if you switch over to ACT, you have the Science section to study for too which will also take a good chunk of time.</p>

<p>I find the ACT’s test format tiring (since everything is clumped together) but in some ways easier (esp. the writing) but I’ve heard that the ACT is scaled tougher, is that true?</p>

<p>You did fine. You are already competitive in the test area… focus on other aspects of your college applications.</p>

<p>My daughter, a high school junior, just switched from prepping for SAT to ACT. Her PSAT score was roughly comparable to her mock ACT score but after this short exposure to the ACT, she decided to switch because 1) she works fast, which is a useful skill for the ACT, and 2) the questions are more straightforward and less tricky, which is something she had trouble with in the Critical Reading section of the PSAT.</p>

<p>WEll I feel terrible to be looking at the 700s
I scored crap but in the practice test i score wayy higher!</p>

<p>I would say go for the SAT one more time.
Not sure if you already did this, but on test day try taking a bar of chocolate to eat during breaks; apparently it helps you focus. </p>

<p>sorta worked for me because my actuals were better than my practices.</p>

<p>I really believe all students that need significantly high ACT or SAT scores (for admission or scholarship) should try both tests at least once. Some students just have a natural predisposition for one test over the other. It’s worth a try if you can afford it.</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure i can afford it… I think my sites would be the weakest party of my application, the thing is most people who switch to the Act do so because of CR but that is my best score. I seem to mitts a lot of the easy ones which really bring down my score</p>

<p>Try out the ACT like they said though, you may do surprisingly well. I took both the december SAT and ACT, scored a 2190 on the SAT but a 35 on the ACT. Some people are just naturally better at the ACT (my username seems a bit ridiculous at this point)</p>