Which scores are better? SAT vs. ACT

Test Preparation
1

<p>I have taken the SAT twice so far and here are my scores:</p>

<p>Nov:
CR: 600 M: 590 W:540 Total: 1730</p>

<p>Jan:
CR: 640 M: 650 W: 570 Total: 1860</p>

<p>Obviously these scores remain mediocre. I plan on taking the SAT again this weekend in May. Honestly, I hate the SAT. I don't enjoy it at all. I have heard from others that it's common for people who do poorly on the SAT to do well on the ACT.</p>

<p>Well, I took the ACT in April and I have to say I love the test. I love the format, I love the material, it's weird that I can say I love the ACT.</p>

<p>Even my English teacher, a part-time SAT Prep Tutor, has told me, "Take the ACT, it's a better test."</p>

<p>Here are my April ACT Scores:
English: 26 (Combined w/ Writing: 27)
Math: 34
Reading: 29
Science: 32
Composite: 30</p>

<p>Obviously, I need to improve my english and reading scores, but looking online I have found that the 30 translates roughly to a 2000 SAT score. </p>

<p>Do colleges have a preference of the SAT over the ACT? I feel as if most of the college prefer SAT but also willingly accept the ACT. If I only send in ACT scores, will it hurt me in the application process? </p>

<p>Also last question:</p>

<p>SAT II's
Biology E: 670
World History: 760</p>

<p>I plan on going into accounting (with hopefully a minor in history) but don't really know which other SAT II's to take. I'm thinking of taking Math 1 and Math 2, but I don't really know the difference. </p>

<p>If I take the Math 2, should I send in all 3 scores, or just World History and Math? My biology score isn't the best.</p>

<p>Any advice is truly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Colleges nationwide accept either test without preference. Which one is better could be subject to debate particularly since most colleges consider the CR and math sections of the SAT to be the more important section scores and consider the math and English sections of the ACT to be its more important section scores.</p>

<p>Whether your SAT or ACT scores are good depends solely on the colleges to which you intend to apply. For most colleges those scores are fine but if you are aiming for high ranks like the ivies and others of that ilk, you are on the low side. Thus, before deciding on a retake you should consider which colleges you may want to apply to and look up their middle 50% ranges for test scores and class rank (most provide those on their websites and you can also find it in other places like at the College Board’s site).</p>

<p>As to subject tests, be aware that most colleges neither want them or use them to determine admission. However, many of your high ranks and some others do require them although even the majority of those take ACT in lieu of both SAT and SAT subject tests.</p>

<p>How many and which subject tests you send depends on college. Those that require subject tests require two, and for something like accounting some require or recommend a math. Only two colleges want more than two, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins, neither of which require subject tests but both of which recommend three. Nevertheless, whether a college requires only two is only the beginning of the inquiry. You must check each college’s rule on score choice because a number of them require you to send all scores, good and bad, for all tests you have taken.</p>

3

<p>ACT is by far the better test considering that it encompasses a wide range of capabilities including math, science, English, and reading while the Sat is limited.</p>

4

<p>Indeed, there are more and more students taking ACT test. SAT sees its competition and its weakness that it is going to change its format again soon.</p>