<p>Should I take the ACT or SAT?</p>
<p>I live in NYC, so around 99% of the people I know take the SAT.
But I was just wondering what will happen if I take the ACT, will it affect my chances of certain colleges accepting me or not?</p>
<p>Is one easier/more advantageous than the other?</p>
<p>Can I take Both?</p>
<p>I recently moved from Missouri where everyone takes the ACT to Washington where the SAT is the go-to. Personally, I like both. I got around the same score on each (32 ACT, 2200 SAT) so I don’t really think either one differs TOO much on each score. That being said, I have a good friend who managed a 27 on the ACT but only around a 1550 on the SAT.
If you do better with science (more like graph reading), big groupings of subjects (for example, 60 math questions in an hour and then no more math), and writing isn’t one of your strong points, go with the ACT. The writing’s optional, and science is included. If you like writing, smaller sub sections, and the science on the ACT psychs you out go with the SAT.
Or just take both, like I did and send in both of your scores. The worst thing that happens is it makes you look more prepared.</p>
<p>It’s been my experience that students who are significantly better in CR over M score higher on the ACT. My theory on why is that reading comprehension/ language skills play into success on three of the four ACT subtests where as it only comes into effect on one of the two SAT subtests (disregarding writing).</p>
<p>Neither is easier or harder, it solely depends on your strengths. I would take both if I were you!</p>
<p>@csdad: Not true whatsoever. On what basis is this theory based upon? I scored 650 CR and 690 M on the March 2011 SAT, but when I went to take the ACT, I got a 33.
There is close to no correlation.</p>
<p>I’m much better at math than I am at English and Writing (those 2 have always been my worst subj).
However both the SAT and the ACT have writing sections, so I’m stuck.</p>
<p>Also, if I were to take a prep course, should I just skip PSAT prep and go straight to SAT prep? I am going to be in 10th grade in Sept.</p>
<p>Take them both, send both sets of scores in. The schools will choose the test that shows you to your best advantage, so say the guidance counselors at D’s high school.</p>
<p>“@csdad: Not true whatsoever. On what basis is this theory based upon? I scored 650 CR and 690 M on the March 2011 SAT, but when I went to take the ACT, I got a 33.
There is close to no correlation”</p>
<p>…the theory is based upon the fact that the composite score of the ACT is based upon 4 subtests, only one of which is math…the SAT score that colleges are interested in is CR + M which makes it one of two…so if you were weaker in math doesn’t common sense tell you that the test where it is only 25% of your total score as oppossed to 50% is the way to go? Of course there are always exceptions to EVERY theory, your scores being one of them.</p>
<p>im having the exact same dilmma as you since im from nyc as well. please let me know if u gain more insight on this as ill do the same!</p>
<p>I took both, I liked the SAT better, but scored much better on the ACT (32 vs 2000). So for me I think it’s good that I took both, because if I just took one, it probably would’ve been the SAT.</p>