<p>I received my SAT scores from the May exam and scored 1280/2000. As a junior now and a senior graduating in '09, I have been looking at various colleges that require either two SAT subject tests or the ACT (with the writing).</p>
<p>My main question is, what do you suggest is the better route? Abandon my 2000 on the SATs and take the ACT (which I am unfamiliar with), or take two SAT subject tests? Any help to this dilemma is appreciated.</p>
<p>BTW, the schools I have looked at that require the SAT subject tests are, currently, Boston University and possibly my reach, Boston College.</p>
<p>The ACT is easy; I say go for it. It's a bit different from the SAT. There are five sections (English, math, reading, science, and writing) and you have an extended amount of time (25-60 minutes) for each of them. The English section is mostly grammar/sentence completion based. The math section is different from the SAT in that less reasoning and more head knowledge is involved; I found it easier than the SAT Math (though the scores are comparable - 710 on the SAT math and a 33 on the ACT math). The reading section involves reading passes and answering questions about them. The science section is probably the hardest; you have 35 minutes to read and interpret data about topics which you may or may not be familiar with and then answer 45 questions about them. The writing section is basically the same as the SAT - you have 25 minutes to respond to a prompt.</p>
<p>Personally, I would do both the subject tests and the ACT. Then, you can decide whether or not your ACT score is better overall than your SATs or not.</p>
<p>The ACT is way easier then trying to do 2 SAT subject tests.</p>
<p>Oh and by the way, the essay on the ACT is 30 minutes, not 25. Also the essay score does not affect your writing score like on the SAT; the ACT essay is a completely separate entity.</p>
<p>Go to your public library. Check out an ACT prep book, and the official SAT subject test book. Take a practice ACT test, and practice subject tests. Look at your scores. Then ask yourself:
Which was a more awful experience, taking the ACT or taking those subject tests?
Did I score better on the subject tests or on the ACT?
What would I have to do to raise my scores on the tests that I did worse on in order to get the kind of scores that I think I am capable of?
How much time, trouble, and money do I really want to invest in all of this test taking, or should I just look at test optional schools (The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest) instead?</p>
<p>Don't forget, Subject tests can also serve as placement tests so if you score a certain amount you can be exempt from taking some intro courses. :] especially with foreign language.</p>
<p>If you have AP scores, the SAT subjects are useless, and you're likely to test on the subjects you took AP or AP-equivalents on. So I'd say ACT is the better option.</p>