<p>My SAT scores are 690 CR, 760 M, and 790 W. My SAT II subject scores are 800 physics, 800 math IIC, and 800 Chemistry. As you can see, I'm really weak on the critical reading. I barely managed to get an A- in AP Eng too. My reach schools are MIT/Caltech/UChicago/Cornell and my targets are Carnegie Mellon/UIllinois. Either I get in my targets, UChicago, Cornell, or safeties with good financial aid, or I get in MIT/Caltech and my parents will pay the full price. Do you think I should take the ACT then, or should I focus on other things?</p>
<p>Your scores look solid, but there is no harm in trying your hand at the ACT. Don’t go into it cold, however. Practice the test - the timing can be tricky for some. You have to keep your pace up.</p>
<p>I had similar SAT scores, actually a bit lower than yours (2180), and also had CR as my weakness (680)…I took the ACT after doing 3 practice tests and got a 36. So as long as you can beat the clock, you’ll score well. good luck!</p>
<p>If you can do really well on the practice tests then go ahead. Based on your record I think you’d do fine with little to no practice.</p>
<p>Here’s some anecdotal evidence:
I’m kind of like you, in that I’m stronger in math than I am in lit. I took the ACT because it’s 50% math/science and the SAT is 1/3 math. Basically the ratio of the sections makes it better for me. A lot. And I imagine it would for you too. I got</p>
<p>Critical reading score is pretty low; all of your reach schools have very high average critical reading scores. And a 1450 combined CR/Math isn’t that impressive at cornell ( they don’t look at writing)</p>