So I’m a HS junior and I’ve been looking more into the ACT and SAT.
So as I’ve been learning about both, I’m leaning more towards the SAT. I understand that a lot of colleges want 2 SAT II’s if you send them the SAT, or just the ACT if that’s what you want to submit.
The plan I have right now is to take both. I think that taking the ACT would back me up although I plan on taking 2 SAT II’s(Biology and Chemistry). Taking the ACT would also fulfill a state requirement in order to receive my diploma(The other way I could achieve it is by taking a state test).
Schedule-wise, I’m thinking about preparing for a month(with a test prep book) and taking the ACT. After that, I’d prepare for another month(again with a test prep book) and take the March SAT(since my HS gives the SAT for free for all juniors at this time). Then afterward I would decide which one worked better for me and sign up for a prep course to take the June test.
Is this a good plan? Are there any dangers here that I should be aware of? Opinions?
That sounds like a solid plan; be sure to get started prepping now though! You might want to take an official practice test for each exam under timed conditions and see which you are naturally better at, then study that one. Do not feel pressured to take the ACT to exempt you from state exams because these are usually easy to pass (with great curves).
@petermic I think what @kimclan1 meant was that if you were only taking the ACT to get away from taking the state exams, then you shouldn’t do it. You mentioned taking the ACT as a backup, which is a good plan. I plan on doing this myself, actually, but I’m taking both and seeing which I do better on.
@petermic Using the ACT as a backup is a good idea. You should prep for both the SAT and the ACT, but mainly focus on the SAT because as @kimclan1 said the ACT is pretty easy to pass.