<p>So I took the SAT I in October last year and my score was a 2210 (800 W, 720 R, 690 M) and I just retook the SAT I yesterday for the second time. I'm pretty confident that my score this time around will be to some degree better than my last score (like at least 2250).
I know if you try to compare this to an ACT score, this would be something like a 34. I've never taken the ACT before but I'm wondering how much of a point there is in taking the ACT and trying to get a 35 or 36 on it. Will it make a difference to colleges at all? Will it show I'm consistent or what?
And if I do consider taking the ACT, I've never studied for it before so would I have enough time to study for it by the April test? Or should I consider taking it in September of next year so I'm done before college apps. start? What is considered the best way to study - I'm thinking the same method as SAT: vocab, and TONS of practice tests?
Please give me some advice! :) Thankssss</p>
<p>Schools will take either score, it doesn’t matter. The reason to take it - is if you think you can get a 36 - as some schools offer some merit scholarships for perfect scores. But if you don’t want to attend one of those schools - it doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>The thing I hear about the ACT is that you have to move quickly - more sections, less time. And practice the Science section - this is the one that gets most kids. It’s not hard, but you have to time yourself.</p>
<p>okay. say i get a 2250 - should i try act if i think i’ll get a 35 or no? and i’m guessing there’s no point in taking act if i get like a 2300 on the sat and aim for a 35 on act? how hard is it to get a 36 on the act?..because i’m not familiar with how harsh act curves are and how hard it would be to get a perfect score.</p>
<p>ACT doesn’t test your vocabulary.</p>
<p>The SAT and ACT are vastly different tests. You won’t need to study vocab for the ACT as the ACT is more math/science based. The reading section is basically just asking for information on what you just read, and the English section is basic grammar. However, the math section may be harder as the questions go up to pre-calculus/trigonometry level rather than Algebra 2 level like the SAT. The science section is what killed me the first time I took the ACT as I ran out of time. For the science section you cannot and I repeat CANNOT read all the information given to you. Read the questions and then look at the graphs or quickly scan the given information. I never studied for either the SAT or ACT… However, due to your low math score, I would suggest staying away from the ACT.</p>
<p>Here are my scores:
1st ACT: 33 (English: 33; Math: 34; Reading: 36; Science: 29)
2nd ACT: 36 (English: 36; Math: 36; Reading: 34; Science: 36)
SAT: 2200 (CR: 740; Math: 790; W: 670)</p>
<p>Also, sometimes the ACT curves are nice, and sometimes they’re not. The second time I took it I only missed one question on reading, and that brought my reading score down to a 34.</p>
<p>Unless you are trying to get merit scholarships, a 2200 is good enough to get in just about anywhere. Don’t worry too much about raising that score unless it is a necessity. And the ACT is simply structured differently, and is more school curriculum focused.</p>
<p>any more opinions?</p>
<p>The writing is known to be subjective, so it’s hard to assume you will ace the writing on any given test. If you look at the rest of your SAT score, it is equivalent to an ACT 32, not 34. You got 1410 for CR+M, which is center/low for a 32. ([ACT-SAT</a> Concordance](<a href=“http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/]ACT-SAT”>The ACT Test for Students | ACT))</p>
<p>And you’d have to watch out for the math. Like someone else said, the math is more difficult in the ACT.</p>
<p>You could either just be happy with a great SAT score, because it’s doubtful you’ll do significantly better on an ACT, or take a couple/few practice ACT tests to see how you’d actually do on the Science and Math. You never know! ;-)</p>
<p>But don’t show up for an ACT unless you’re nailing the practice exams.</p>
<p>In response to what you said about studying for the ACT:</p>
<p>I took my SAT Dec. 3 2011 and my ACT the week after that. I prepped intensely for the SAT but pretty much not at all for the ACT (only did some stuff a few days before on their website to familiarise myself with the format).
I scored 2370 on the SAT and 35 on the ACT so there’s not too much of a difference.</p>
<p>Difficulty:
The science section is tough though and I was surprised I only got 1 off that section (didn’t have any time to check over as I barely finished). However, the reading was quite simple so as long as you aren’t careless you should be fine. It’s straightforward and doesn’t try to trick you and as other have said there’s no vocab. The math is harder but definitely doable.</p>
<p>a 34 ACT is a 2250, a 35 is a 2330, and a 36 a 2390…I guess if you manage to do really well it’s great but if you even get a few off, then the curve is in a way less forgiving? </p>
<p>Personally, I would try it though. Either way, good luck! (:</p>