<p>CC Community,</p>
<p>I would like to preface this post by saying that I am not trying to brag, merely trying to convince my parents to side with me. </p>
<p>I recently got a 2400 on the SAT (March 2012 administration). My counselor, upon hearing the news, advised me to take the ACT as well. My parents are new to the college admissions process (I'm the oldest) and have decided to side with my counselor. </p>
<p>I feel as if taking the ACT is unnecessary, but my counselor says that it the test is "a completely different ballgame" and it shows "different skills" to colleges.</p>
<p>Is there any compelling reason to take the ACT at this point?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Fireeagles</p>
<p>That would be absurd to take the ACT at this point. If you want to “show other strengths” then you do that through SAT II/subject tests. There is no need to take the ACT, period. You should be spending the time preparing for your subject tests --take 2-3.</p>
<p>Congrats btw :)</p>
<p>I dunno, a high score could should you really know the material. SAT is more problem-solving than just general knowledge.</p>
<p>And you don’t have to report your ACT scores if you don’t like them; you can just send in SATs and be done with it.</p>
<p>However, a 2400 is, well, perfect, so if you don’t want to pay for it or don’t have the time or don’t want to put yourself through the situation again, just don’t take it. Your counselor is a bit silly, to be honest.</p>
<p>Don’t take the ACT. Standardized tests are not that big of a deal for elite colleges, and taking the ACT in addition to the SAT is just overkill and will make you look like a test-obsessed student. Your counselor’s argument that it shows different skills and hence would look good to colleges is ludicrous. All these two tests show is how well you can study for the test. Focus your energies are more productive things like extracurriculars or research. Really, once you have fulfilled the testing requirements and have done well enough on them then it’s time to move on to more important things.</p>
<p>By the way, I scored a 2360 and will NOT be taking the ACT (though I did consider it for a while). Congrats on the perfect :)</p>
<p>If you take it and get a lower score than you want, you don’t have to submit it (colleges will never even know if you took it or not). If I knew I had an opportunity in my life to get a perfect 2400 and 36 I would not hesitate to go for it (for personal reasons), but that’s just me.</p>
<p>sorry to say this, but in your case it actually is a good idea. BUT - do NOT autosend your act scores, wait and see what they are. if they arent great, just dont send them. if they are great however, sending both really shows a college that you have a broad range to have mastered two very different tests.</p>
<p>I would suggest it actually. My brother got a 2390 on the SATs, took the ACTs blind (walked in with 0 prep) and actually got a 35. The ACT just corroborated the SAT.
If you do badly, you never EVER have to send ACT scores if you don’t want to so nothing bad can happen. I walked into the ACT blind as well this year after about 6 months of SAT prep and in comparision, the ACT is much easier and I scored a 35 compared to a high 2200 on the SAT. I would recommend it. Nothing bad can come of it and you do not have to prepare. Promise!! It can only help. Just give up a couple hours and sit through it. It is much easier as well.</p>