<p>Which test did you find easier and can you add your scores so I can see how much of a difference they are?</p>
<p>I thought the PSAT was easier than the PLAN, but I was actually better at the ACT.</p>
<p>PSAT - 213; 80 CR, 64 M, 69 W
PLAN - 27
SAT (this was my first time)- 1970; 720 CR, 610 M, 640 W (ahh! I’m retaking)
ACT (first time) - 34; 35 English, 33 Reading, 33 Mathematics, 35 Science, 31 Combined English/Writing</p>
<p>As you can see, I did A LOT better on the ACT than the SAT, even though I did better on the PSAT than the PLAN. So don’t give up if you don’t do as well as you hoped on the one you thought you were better at.</p>
<p>ACT’s are geared more towards classroom students, while SAT’s are more logically based.</p>
<p>However, the ACT has a science section, which, if you aren’t familiar with, can really hurt your scores.</p>
<p>I got a 30 on the ACT the first time I took it, and a 1720 on the SAT the first time I took it.</p>
<p>ACT is way much easier.
I got in 97% (31) without practicing
I practiced a lot for PSAT and got the same percentile (203)
Ill see how SAT goes soon…</p>
<p>My daughter thought the SAT was better suited for her, who is stronger in reading, comprehension, and writing. She scored a notch or two higher on the SAT than she did on the ACT.</p>
<p>Think about it, 2/3 of the SAT test covers reading comprehension and writing. If you are stronger in math and science, the ACT is probably the better test to take.</p>
<p>I think you should take both of the tests one time each. Then whichever you did best on, take that one more time.</p>
<p>I’ll play devil’s advocate here…my daughter who is much stronger in reading, comprehension and writing much preferred and performed better on the ACT, even though her math score stunk on both…</p>
<p>agree with arrdad: take both tests one time each and then decide which one you are most suited for…CC isn’t going to answer that…</p>
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<p>No disrespect to your D’s thoughts but, by definition, ALL standardized tests require strong “reading” and “comprehension” skills.</p>
<p>More importantly, the so-called science section on the ACT is ALL about reading and comprehending charts and graphs – no science curriculum necessary, but a knowledge of scientific terms is helpful. IMO, a course in Stats is more valuable for the ACT science section than is any science course. </p>
<p>The vast majority of students do equally well – or poorly – on both, but some kids shine on one or the other. So, yes, take both and decide which feels better for you! Beside the science section, the other two big differences are speed – ACT problems are less ‘tricky’ but you have to move fast; logic – SAT math is more ‘tricky’. Of course, SAT uses the term “reasoning.” Final note: the ACT science section is supposed to be that test’s reasoning portion.</p>
<p>bluebayou, I don’t want to argue with you. But my D’s comments were valid for her. The original poster may or may not have similar qualities. </p>
<p>The main reason I commented on this post is because my daughter had been convinced by several people that the ACT was an “easier” test. She studied more for it than for the SAT, yet did worse in a relative sense. She specifically struggled with the time on the ACT sections, and never was comfortable.</p>
<p>Another reason I commented is because most people DO have similar scores on both tests. Since my D had a bigger offset between tests, I thought it might add value to some kid that might be struggling with this decision on which test to take.</p>
<p>Bottom line, I still believe the best technique is to take both tests and go from there.</p>