Should I take the ACT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I just got my scores back from the March SAT, and I got a 2110--800 in Reading, 710 in Writing, and 600 in Math. I have also taken the PSAT (twice actually,) and my most recent score was 77 Reading, 80 Writing, and 57 Math. The thing is, my math scores are completely non-indicative of my actual skill level. I am getting straight As in Pre-Calculus Honors and plan to take AP Calculus next year--I should not be getting math scores that are below the average even for some of my safety colleges. </p>

<p>My problem with the SAT seems to stem at least partially from the way I approach its questions. I will look at the solution for a question that flummoxed me, and it will make perfect sense and include concepts that I know--but I never would have thought to combine the concepts in that particular way.</p>

<p>I don't want to assume that, just because I did poorly on the SAT, I'll do better on the ACT--but I've heard the ACT focuses more on book knowledge and less on creative problem solving, which I seem to have trouble with, at least in math (I am relatively sure my writing and reading skills will remain the same on either test.) I'm going to sign up for an SAT prep class to work on this problem--but should I also take the ACT and see if I might do better?</p>

2

<p>My DD’s counselor strongly recommends students to take both (at least practice tests) as one may do better in one test or the other. As your PSAT and SAT scores are pretty much inline, you should try ACT to see you can do better. On the other hand, you should consider taking SAT2 Math2 if you really believe in your Math skill. If you get an 800, that would be a good proof as only the top 10-12% students do.</p>