Why is the ACT so much harder than the SAT's?

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

<p>I have 700/800/800 on the SAT's superscored (from January and March this year).</p>

<p>I just went to take the ACT today because my counselor told me to try it out.</p>

<p>I felt that the time given was too short for all sections except math. By the time I got to science part, I lost all the motivation and was not able to do half the science questions.</p>

<p>I've had the same amount of prep for both the SAT's and the ACT. I just simply did a couple of practice tests for both tests. However, the ACT felt like it was so much harder because of the amount of time they gave me to do each section. (Read 4 passages and answer 40 questions in 35 minutes? Come on...)</p>

<p>Is it just me, or do other people feel that the SAT's are so much easier than the ACT? I'm expecting like a 20 on the ACT. Should I even bother studying and taking it again in June, or should I just forget about it and stick with my SAT score?</p>

<p>The whole test just made me feel so terrible today...</p>

2

<p>I completly disagree… I got a 1820 first try SAT and am currently aiming for a 30+ my first try act… its easier by far but is all preferance tbh</p>

3

<p>I think most people usually feel like the ACT is much more straightforward and therefore easier.</p>

4

<p>Yes you should definietly just stick with your SAT score. I also completely agree that the SAT is easier (at least for me). Although as I’ve heard countless times that most people think that the Act is the easier one. I guess we all have our strengths.</p>

5

<p>I think the ACT is MUCH easier especially because it doesn’t test impossible vocab words that you’d never use in daily conversation.</p>

6

<p>I don’t know… I thought it was easy… but I just felt that there wasn’t enough time…</p>

7

<p>Everyone told me that ACT was so much easier than the SAT’s, so I walked in thinking that I’d get a 36 and… failed.</p>

8

<p>^ the ACT is more straightforward and doesn’t test as hard of material as the SAT tests (except ACT math has more material than SAT). </p>

<p>You were simply being nieve. a 36 is only obtained by around 600 people PER YEAR of over 1.5 MILLION people taking it. Next time try studying for it a little and I’m sure you will do fine.</p>

9

<p>^ Are you serious? How many people get 2400’s in a year?</p>

10

<p>ACT is knowledge based, SAT is reasoning based. Different people think different tests are easier, based on what they are good on</p>

11

<p>^^ about 200 get a 2400 per year.</p>

<p>… dont know if you are being sarcastic…</p>

12

<p>Around 300 or so people score a 2400 on the SAT each year out of 1.5 million takers.</p>

13

<p>^And a good 15% of them are on this forum.</p>

14

<p>On the contrary, I think the ACT is much, MUCH easier than the SAT. My ACT in Feb was 35 composite. My SAT in October was 2150. I think there’s like a 200 point difference there…</p>

15

<p>ACT is better for me. Depends on who you are</p>

16

<p>^^^ Pretty sure more than 15%. For the SAT in January we had 40% or so of the 2400 post on CC.</p>

17

<p>ive heard the act is an easier test, although i am glad to hear you though the sat was easier. i may have to try the sat out. act is easier if you have more time i think…</p>

18

<p>Just be glad we can pick our poison. I am grateful that we have the ability to pick the test that best demonstrates our strengths.</p>

19

<p>Well you scrored fantastic SAT scores!! But did you ever find out your actual ACT score? I’m considering to take both, but I have the same dilemma with the ACT…</p>

20

<p>For many the ACT is considered easier because it asks
Mostly staightforward questions and does not test on vocabulary like the SAT does. Many also think it is easier because its predictable. The ACT has the same number of pre-algebra, elementary algebra, rhetorical skills, experiments, etc questions on EVERY test, there just have different wording, numbers, etc. Therefore since the ACT is like this, many consider it to be a lot easier to study for. Altough i will agree with you that the ACT is stricter on time. Out of 3 math SAT sections, the SAT gives you 70 minutes to answer 54 questions. The ACT gives you 60 minutes to answer 60 questions</p>