on the 4th try my son got a 1550 on the new SAT (out of 1600). so from my perspective we’re done with testing.
but he got a 32 and then 31 on the ACT, and for some reason my wife thinks he needs to take it again. she seems to think colleges prefer the ACT and that he should try to get at least a 33 and send both ACT and SAT scores. even though the 1550 is the equivalent of a 34 ACT.
this doesn’t make sense to me. IMO it doesn’t matter what test schools “prefer” because every school will take either test and use the highest score. the final SAT was by far the best score he got on any test and i think we should just send that and not mess around any more with the ACT.
so, with regard to the SAT/ACT … we’re done now, right?
Colleges have historically preferred the SAT. Some were slow to accept the ACT. All colleges take it now and seem to treat it equally, though. So your wife is wrong. A 1550 is good. He should sit tight with that. Adding an ACT would mean nothing unless he got a 35 or 36, which seems really unlikely.
Colleges will take either the SAT or ACT. His SAT is very competitive. He is done for now. Did he take any SAT 2 subject tests? If not, then he should consider a couple depending upon where he plans to apply. Some schools require all tests submitted, some will superscore and some will take the highest score from one sitting. He should just submit his SAT score(s).
@intparent
@Gumbymom
thanks, i thought so. he took SAT 2 Subj tests in June. when we get the scores, maybe he can take them again if he needs improvement. but after 4 SAT’s and 2 ACT’s, yeah that’s enough on that front. thnx again
I hope you can talk her out of that. Give the kid a break!
@Rollout
ha! yeah i know what you mean. he needs a minute to catch his breath!
If it were my son I would stop there. Some kids do better on one test vs. the other.
he’s good. why take act more if you already have such a high sat score
Definitely stop. To schools requiring all scores, he’s already shown that he retakes a lot.
Why not take the ACT 7-8 more times and go for a perfect C36! And take the SAT 5-6 more times and go for a perfect 1600!
Yes, it sounds ridiculous. Tell your wife taking any more shots at the test is ridiculous. Your poor son has done more than enough, and he has a very good SAT score.
Move on. Focus on life now.
IMO, he’s done. I bet there is something else he would like to do with his fall Saturdays…
good luck to your family, i definitely understand re testing to get to a good score-- that can mean scholarship money.