still confused about whether to prep for SAT or ACT

hi folks–so though I have researched this online, and spoken to the tutor (great reputation and used him for the SHSAT) we were planning to use, I am still very confused about whether the SAT or the ACT is best for my son. I keep hearing that they should take both and decide which one they prefer, which seems very odd to me.
My son is much stronger in math than in English. He is a good test taker overall. He took the PSAT and got a 99% percentile for math and a 95% percentile for English. My understanding was that the SAT would be better for such a profile but the more I read the more confused I am. Can anyone help here?
In addition, I have read that some schools want the subject matter tests to line up with the SAT/ACT choice. My son is taking AP Chem this year, so it seems logical to have him take the Chem test this year, and also Math II (though he would have taken only precalc this year-- CD Calc is next year which won’t work for applications). I have been assuming these would be the SAT subject matter tests since those are the tests I have heard the most about.

He’s going to start working with the tutor in late October so we need to figure this out.
Thanks,

Since your son did well on the PSAT, you could just stick with the SAT and SAT subject tests.

Have him take a timed practice test of each and see which he likes better. Historically, the ACT has been labeled as being more straight forward, but with tighter time constraints.

For applications, there is no problem with him submitting an ACT score along with SAT subject tests. Lot’s of kids do that.

As for the Math2 Subject Test, it covers material through precalc so that should work out fine for your son.

I don’t think there is anyway of knowing which will be better without doing at least a practice test in each. Both my kids had taken the SAT as part of Talent Search and the school makes them take the PSAT for practice in 10th. They both test well, and there didn’t seem to be any point in trying a different test.

If your kid is a natural test taker, go for the SAT. His score on the PSAT indicates that he would do very well on that test. It’s similar, but longer. And if he’s close to national merit status, he’ll need the SAT score to verify. I assume he is a junior, so the PSAT score from this year is the one that will count for NM consideration, but if he did that well as a sophomore, he should certainly do well as a junior. Check the qualifying score for your state and compare that to his sophomore year PSAT. If he’s close or above it, then he should prep for the PSAT and definitely sign up for the SAT.

I strongly agree with @mathmom, I don’t believe there’s any way of predicting which test is better for your son.In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small investment of time to take a practice test in each.

I don’t understand @Massmomm 's advice, “If your kid is a natural test taker, go for the SAT”, it seems to me if your son is a natural test taker, it’s going to help him on both tests. after helping my kids with both tests and taking sample sections of the test, I believe the act emphasizes the ability to read/think quickly and to read well (IMO, the act science section is actually a reading section).

thank you. In full disclosure, my son accidently took the ACT practice test because that was given to him by accident. when I had asked for the SAT. In taking it, he felt time pressured and had to guess at the last few questions. He still did well but he does well on tests generally. So while he certainly isn’t slow, I don’t think “read/think quick” is him. I think he would benefit from more time. I know there are differences in the math portion too and since math is his stronger suit, I am hoping someone will chime in on those.

Our guidance counselor told us 1/3 of students do better on the SAT, 1/3 do better on the ACT, and 1/3 do the same on both so it is hard to predict.

My daughter is the same, much stronger in math and doesn’t do well with tight time constraints. She has taken the ACT four times including in 7th grade for Duke Tip so I don’t really count that. She has NEVER been able to finish the ACT. Her highest composite score is a 31, but she got a 35 in math and a 34 in English. Reading and Science brought her down. So after she did really well on the PSAT Junior year I had her take the SAT. She got 1560! 790 in Math and 770 on the English/Reading portion, whatever it is they call it. She was able to finish both portions! My 15 year old son is just like her, so I don’t even think I’m going to have him take the ACT at all unless he bombs the SAT. The SAT was just a better fit for her, and since half of it is math that’s a huge plus for kids who math is their strength. My advice, have him take the SAT!

You never know which one would be better without doing a (few) practice test(s). It is not just the type of questions, but the also the test formats. Also, for ACT with writing, it may even fulfill the recommendation/requirement of subject tests at many schools. Both my Ds prepared for both tests and took both tests in junior year. Even their practice scores on both tests are comparable, the actual scores are different. In addition, you will have actual much more flexible score for retake. Note that you cannot take both SAT and SAT2 in the same month. With also the AP exam and study schedule, you really want to have that flexibility.
Finally, if he has good study habit, he does not really need a tutor as he is already in the 99th and 95th percentiles. Just do more practice tests would be enough.

My kids all did one full SAT and one full ACT as a base line.

All were better on the ACT, so that’s the one they prepped for. All prepped during summer between JR and SR year.

All also did SAT subject tests.

The subject tests, if needed, do not need to “line up” with your ACT/SAT choice.

Each year, fewer schools request the subject tests. (This year Rice dropped off them.) So, make sure you need them before taking them. If you need them, your son should take the ones that he would do best in.

Prepping for SAT math level II made ACT math a breeze for my DD.

" I know there are differences in the math portion too and since math is his stronger suit, I am hoping someone will chime in on those."

not sure what you’re asking, he scored the 99 percentile in the psat, doesn’t sound like the act is for him based on time constraints, what else do you need to know? anyhow, one of the differences, when my kids took the tests 3 years ago, was that sat was more about problem solving than core math. the act was a much more straightforward math skills test.

I agree with @AroundHere 's general statement about subject tests, but the problem with that advice is timing, your son’s list of schools may change, may change on the day before apps are due, and it would be a shame to eliminate schools due to lack of subject tests.

I do think if you can afford it, a tutor is a great idea. why not get some input from the tutor on this?

Some top tier colleges make you report all standardized test scores whether you like them or not. Once your SAT score is 1530 or above or 34-36 ACT, with a stellar GPA and 5’s on, your admissions officer will start to holistically look at your application. It does not really matter if you are in the 99.5%, 99.7% or 99.9%, this whole student body is equally intellectually talented.

Tell your son to hone in on the reading passages for one SAT test sitting during the first half of junior year. He could be one and done. If not there is plenty of time to retest or take the SAT. BTW courses with tons of reading such as AP history, AP bio are the best prep for the reading portions of standardized tests.

If he did really well on the PSAT, then just do that. Clearly he will do similarly on the SAT. People recommend the ACT sometimes if you don’t do as well as you liked on the SAT.

Well, my D did really really well on the PSAT, but her SAT score was just OK. ACT score was excellent, so I don’t think the PSAT score is always an indicator as to which test will ultimately be the better one for any particular kid.