Up until now, my state has always had students take the ACT in April of their junior year; however, it was just announced this morning that this year, juniors (my class!) will have to take the new SAT instead. This is definitely frustrating – I’ve been studying for the ACT and I’m comfortable with my score, and I was specifically planning to take the SAT in January so I wouldn’t have to worry about the new one. I understand the change (College Board is giving the state a better deal) but more notice would have been appreciated.
Should I bother taking the new SAT at school? I don’t want to put myself in a bad position with the administration (I’m at a small school that places a big emphasis on standardized testing scores, so we’re always reminded that every score counts), and it seems like the coward’s way out or whatever not to do it, but spring semester is going to be busy and I don’t want to mess up my testing history because the state wanted to save some money. Any advice would be amazing!
I would continue studying and focusing in the ACT and be sure to take it. Forget about the new SAT. Does the school pay for this new SAT that they are forcing on you at the last minute? Are you applying to schools that require ALL tests? If not, and it’s free, take the new one at school.
The scores for March SAT come out in mid MAY at the earliest. You don’t want hang your hat on that one. It’s unconscionable that your school is doing this NOW.
@theofrelord That’s more or less what I figured; I got a 35 in September, so I don’t need to risk it with a new test.
@suzyQ7 I’d hope that they’re paying for it, but since this was just announced over break, my school hasn’t said anything about it. I’m looking at a few colleges that want all scores, so I think I’ll probably just stay away from the new SAT altogether.
Thanks for the advice! I’ll talk to my counselor and tell her why I don’t want to take it – she likes me, so hopefully that’ll go well. If not, oh well; I don’t want to let this affect my apps.
I’m a senior now, so I’m really not in your position, but my state (Michigan) also switched from the ACT to the new SAT. For me last year, everyone at my school had to take the ACT in order to graduate as part of the Michigan Merit Exam, so you might have to take the new SAT in order to graduate as well. However, you probably do not have to submit your SAT score, even for colleges that require all scores. The colleges that want all scores usually mean all scores for the particular test that you want to submit; for example, if you took the ACT twice and SAT once, and you only want your ACT to be considered, you can just submit both your ACT scores and not worry about the SAT at all. I’m not sure if this is exactly the case for you, so good luck with your counselor!
Depends what year you are, @studeam, and if you might be a NMSF. If so, you’ll need a corobrating SAT score to move on to NMF (along with your application).
About 15 years ago, to satisfy requirements of No Child Left Behind Laws, some states started adopting the ACT or SAT to meet the testing requirements of those laws. As that process progressed the ACT was more and more winning the battle for adoption because of an aggressive promotional campaign with state legislatures, because it was perceived as the test that tested knowledge of subjects taken in high school, unlike the SAT which was considered more a general intelligence test, and because the SAT stupidly added the required writing section to the test in 2005, making the test too long and even less desirable. The result of that process is that the ACT grew in demand to the point that a few years ago it overcame the SAT as the test most taken by high school seniors. The College Board, which puts out the SAT, not only saw that it was losing market share for its SAT test but also that more and more colleges were dropping any requirement to take subject tests, including the UCs which had traditionally generated a large amount of income for the College Board via the subject tests.
College Board started to see the handwriting on the wall, in that it could face future obsolescence if it continued on the same course it was going. As a result, it decided to change its test to be more like the ACT, including making writing optional, so it could be sold to state legislatures as a test of choice to meet the No Child Left Behind laws.With the new test getting closer to being used, it also started an agressive campaign to get some key states, such as Michigan, to change from the ACT to its new test by offering pricing to the those states that significantly undercut the ACT’s price, which resulted in the Michigan legislature switching to the new SAT.
Depending on what state you are in, the issue you may have to deal with is whether the test is required of juniors. If so, you cannot just tell the high school you are not going to take it, as it is required by the state to give it to you unless you miss the test date for a legitimate reason such as a real illness. iF it is not required, you are fine skipping it. If it is required, you may have to just take it.
I really don’t see much of a difference in terms of intelligence vs learning on the ACT and old SAT. The SAT simply had move vague questions suitable to students who excel at language arts. The ACT has a larger quantity of more straightforward questions. Scientist and engineering oriented kids tended to do better on the ACT.
IMO it is entirely marketing spin based on the two tests historical origins. The SAT originated with the Ivy LAC’s who’s historical strength is liberal arts and philosophy. The ACT originated in engineering and agriculturally oriented Iowa where more practical skills are more highly valued. The SAT had to change because the world shifted and values the ACT’s strengths more than the old SAT.
The new SAT is taking over because of common core. Hopefully that will be jettisoned in the next election.
The new SAT has a non-calculator math section. The ACT does not. This a a major difference for students with weak skills with numbers, fractions, and decimals.
If you have already gotten a 35 on the ACT then your SAT performance is largely irrelevant, unless you are in contention for NMSF and need a like SAT score. Take the test - you can send your ACT score instead of your SAT with your college apps if the SAT doesn’t turn out well.
Although with that 35, I can’t imagine you wouldn’t do well on the SAT also.