Should I take the ACT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>So I took the SAT at the end of 10th grade with 1 week of studying and here's my score breakdown:
Math: 790
CR: 640
Writing: 750
Total: 2180</p>

<p>And then I took it again in 11th grade after 2 months of private tutoring and got:
Math: 740
CR: 670
Writing: 740
Total: 2150</p>

<p>So I'm annoyed about getting a lower score, but that at least gives me a superscore of 2210. I'm going for top colleges like UPenn and MIT, so I don't think this is a high enough score, but I also understand that when you get into the top scores, a few points here and there don't make much of a difference. I don't think I'm going to try the SAT again, but should I do the ACT? Both my brothers found the ACT better than the SAT, and I was stupid this year and didn't even try a practice ACT.</p>

<p>I also plan on taking SAT IIs regardless of using my ACT or SAT scores. Do colleges even look at SAT IIs if you give them your ACT scores?</p>

<p>My mom and SAT tutor have both told me just to focus on grades, and maybe they're right. I already have 2 semesters worth of Bs and I'll probably get another this semester (2nd semester Junior year), but they're all in honors/APs, so I'm not sure. So, should I try the ACT?</p>

2

<p>Definitely. Particularly you have already tried SAT twice. What was your average practice scores in SAT? Anyway, your mom and tutor are right. You should focus on the grade for now and leave the practice tests in Summer. GPA is as important as standardized tests for many schools. Try to keep your GPA above 3.7 for top schools.</p>

3

<p>I would say no, dont take the ACT with one caveat. Some schools use only the CR+M portion of your SATs (first 2 numbers) for scholarships. If you give them the ACT, they will use your composite. Since your expressive (writing) score is relatively good your scholarship apps will look better using ACT than SAT at those schools. </p>

<p>Most students score about the same on ACT as they do SAT. One test is not “easier” than the other, statistically speaking. </p>

<p>If a college accepts SAT II tests they will definitely look at them separately from SAT/ACT scores.</p>

4

<p>I say you take it because it helps you higher chances of acceptance for taking both</p>