Which test is easier to improve on?

Test Preparation
1

Hello,

I took both the SAT and ACT, and I’m not too happy with the scores I received. I am trying to see which test to focus on, but my scores are equivalent to each other when you do the conversion. If you took both, which test did you find easier? Which test did you improve on more? I’m currently leaning more towards the ACT, but I don’t know. To put it into context, I got a 1710 SAT and 25 ACT with no prep. I was under bad conditions at the time for personal reasons, not that I’m making excuses. How realistic would it be to raise my SAT by 250+ points and ACT by 4+ points? Any study methods you recommend? Thanks.

2

Hi! You are essentially starting in the same place for both tests, so I think you should chose which test you like more.

Here are some factors you should consider:

  1. Time-- did you not finish questions on ACT because of time? Which test did you have more time to go over your answers? The biggest problem of the ACT is it can sometimes be really hard to finish.
  2. Math -- SAT math is more logic-based and on easier math concepts whereas ACT math is more straight-forward, but on more complex math concepts. Which one are you better at?
  3. Reading-- SAT reading questions are sometimes more convoluted than ACT questions, but you generally have more time to think through them. Also, SAT vocabulary can be kind of confusing.
  4. English/Writing-- ACT essay is optional vs. the mandatory SAT essay. Also, although I do not think that the questions are that different, the ACT has only 4 options to choose from (SAT has 5).
  5. Science-- Obviously, SAT doesn't have science. For some people, science is their best section and brings up their entire score. For others, the science section brings them down. If you are part of the latter group, although I still think studying for the science section is feasible, SAT could be an easier option.
  6. Bubbling in-- this may be really stupid, but when I took the SAT, I found myself bubbling in things wrong sometimes :P. With the ACT, they switch from ABCDE to FGHJK, so it's a lot harder to miss a question. (I know this sounds crazy, but you should consider everything :) )
  7. Subject tests-- most colleges require you to send subject tests if you take the SAT (probably because no science) but not if you take ACT with writing.
  8. The curve-- I actually do not think the curves/ getting points off of SAT questions is a big factor because I feel that the curves make the test pretty even score-wise (as your equal scores prove)

I think that either test can be improved to the score you want (I have heard of people that raised their score even more than 300 points for SAT). Whichever test you take, make sure that you spend tons of time taking practice tests. Essentially, both tests are comprised of different phrasings of previous questions, especially in the math, english/writing, and science sections. Also, make sure you track your wrong answers. Going over wrong answers (maybe once a week?) to see if you can answer the question after studying more is a great way to see progress and make sure you are completely prepared.

I have taken both, and I think the ACT is easier to study for because you do not have to memorize vocabulary (which I personally found to be very tedious, but if that’s your strength, it could be opposite for you). I also liked the ACT test more because it is more concepts-based. When making a decision, make sure you look at the individual scores in each section-- if the reason your score is lower than you would like is that one section is bringing you down on either test, it might be smart to take the other test. Additionally, for SAT, I think writing and math are the two easier places to improve on. For ACT, I think math and science are the two easiest places to improve on.

3

@SJ1616 Thanks for the detailed response! I think I might take both tests again to see, but I’m probably going to focus more on the ACT. Math and science were my two lowest. English was my highest, but it definitely should’ve been higher. I made some careless mistakes. Reading was second highest, which is actually kind of a shock, as I expected my math to be higher and that to be lower. Science was way lower than the others, but I heard it was fairly easy to improve with prep. Hoping with prep and proper rest the night before I can get my score to 29+. Thanks again!

PS: to anyone taking the test, don’t be stupid like me, make plans the night before the test, get home at like 4am, and only get like 2 hours of sleep. :stuck_out_tongue: