My sister is a sophomore currently starting ACT/SAT prep and can’t decide which test to prepare for. She plans to take both tests no matter what test she studies for.
In my experience, I studied for the ACT and got a decent score. I then decided to take the SAT just to see how I would do. I felt like the ACT prepared me pretty well despite being a different test. I got a pretty comparable score on the SAT.
Before starting prep or doing any studying, my sister scored a 29 on her ACT practice test and a 1390 on pSAT.
Which test prep do you guys think would best prepare her for both tests? Does studying for the ACT generally prepare you for the SAT (like my experience)? What about vice versa? I think that in general the SAT is an easier test so maybe SAT prep wouldn’t prepare her for the ACT.
I think it would be really stupid for her to waste her time doing prep for 2 tests.
Personally, I think transitioning from the SAT to the ACT was difficult just because the ACT is so much more strict on time. To get an accurate representation of what her actual score will be, your sister needs to take an official SAT practice test, not the PSAT.
After getting diagnostic scores from both official tests, compare them using different conversion charts (there are many online) and then see which one is better. If they’re relatively the same, she should probably choose the SAT since there are more prep resources (8 official practice test vs only 3 in the new ACT Prep Guide).
The ACT is known for its time pressure with much less time per question on average as kkayli27 said.
ACT English vs SAT Writing
These two sections are very similar. Both test your knowledge of grammatical errors and rhetorical skills within the context of a passage.
ACT vs SAT Math
ACT - A calculator can always be used
SAT - There is a section that allows a calculator and a section that does NOT…
ACT vs SAT Reading
Pretty similar. The main difference is the complexity of the passages.
ACT - 10th to 11th grade reading level
SAT - Early high school/early college reading level.
ACT Science vs None!
The ACT Science section is more of a test about reading graphs/tables and making predictions.So if she really dislikes science, the SAT may be the way to go.
ACT vs SAT Essay
The ACT Essay is geared more towards debate, having you write a persuasive essay that includes coming up with your own examples to support your opinion.
The SAT Essay is more about analyzing a text and evaluating its arguments. So if she’s good at logic and debate, the ACT Essay might be the better choice. But if she’s better at critically analyzing texts, the SAT Essay might be the more favorable choice.
Phew, I hope that helps a little! Good luck to your sister
My D just preferred the ACT after taking the PSAT. Not sure why, but that’s the test she focused on. I don’t know how kids have the bandwidth to prepare for both as they ARE different. If you really want to take both, go for it, but don’t sacrifice GPA for the pursuit of high test scores (some kids have done so to their peril).
If your sister doesn’t usually have difficulty with time, then study the SAT as a lot of the concepts overlap but the SAT has more critical thinking questions. However, if your sister does not do well on tests with strict timing (like the ACT) then get more practice with the ACT.
Personally, I do pretty well with little amount of time so I studied for the SAT and took both tests. for a 1550 on the SAT and a 34 on the ACT. I recommend focusing on the ACT however because later on when applying for schools your sister won’t have to take SAT subject tests (which are a pain in the butt) as most schools require either the SAT I & SAT II OR just the ACT.
Your sister’s scores w/o prep are excellent. She will probably do well regardless of which test she uses for prep. The two tests are much more similar than they used to be now that CB has revised the SAT/PSAT. The advantage of starting with ACT is that the time-pressure really teaches you to focus, employ test strategy and maintain stamina till the end of that science section (Finish Strong! was always the mantra for my kids - like running a marathon!).
My D17 began her ACT prep in winter/spring of her sophomore year and ended the year with a 34 in June. She then switched over to PSAT prep in August using Kahn and piggybacking off all that test prep from earlier. Was only planning on SAT if she was NM potential (she was so took the SAT in March of Junior year and subject tests in May). My S19, on the other hand, followed the same path but didn’t like where he was scoring on the practice ACT’s so never took the real test. However, those skills still really helped him for PSAT and he’s sitting on a decent enough selection index right now that he’ll be Commended no problem. He’ll take the SAT in the spring - likes the test a LOT better than the ACT. Looking back on his path, I don’t think we would have changed a thing with his prep. The ACT is very time-pressured but for him it was like a drill. Painful, but necessary for strong performance on the real thing. And for my daughter, the PSAT/SAT were so easy after prepping for the ACT! Just one story for your sister to consider.
