<p>I am hesitant in sharing my S's scores. He's a decent student at a competitive HS. Strong in Math and Science, weaker in English esp. writing. His scores are fine, not CC good but okay.</p>
<p>He scored a 1780 on the SAT. (550 CR, 650 M, 580 W, 8 on the essay). It was very comparable to his PSAT scores, 172. Just received his ACT scores and he scored a 30! (28 E, 29 M, 28 R, 34 S). I'm sure that he can up these scores as he didn't finish 1 in E, 2 in M, and 3 in R. I don't know what a 30 compares to on the SAT but a 1200 SAT is a 26 ACT, so he improved quite a bit from the SAT. I am very happy. He studied some for the SAT, a little more for the ACT. I have always thought that the ACT is set up better for my S, it works to his strengths better.</p>
<p>My question, should he take the SAT again. I just don't think that it plays to his strengths. We have to make a decision soon for the May SAT.</p>
<p>Where is he planning to apply? Most schools don't seem to care whether the SAT or ACT is submitted, with the exception of Princeton, which doesn't seem to be a big fan of the ACT. The ACT certainly seems to suit him better.</p>
<p>BTW, a 30 on the ACT is approximately equivelant to a 1340 on the old SAT.</p>
<p>deb922, a thirty is a 1340 old style SAT (according to CB's conversion chart), but and here's the kicker- act says that a 30 is the 97th percentile historically, and the 97th percentile translates to a 1420 old style. Either way, very good ACT scores. Congrats to your S.</p>
<p>One thing I heard from a few adcoms that I was dealing with, is that liberal arts schools actually like to see the ACT more (or at least the schools I was applying to). So, depending on where he applies, the ACT might be exactly what he needs!</p>
<p>YAY for your son!! A 30 is roughly equal to a 1320-1350 on the old SAT scale. That's a good score and if it is acceptable for whatever schools are on his list, maybe you don't want to consider him taking either test again.</p>
<p>My D did about about an 1820 on the SAT and WILL NOT TAKE A FIVE HOUR TEST AGAIN FOR ANYBODY, NOT EVEN HYPSC etc. Yes, it was 5 hours by the time they waited for the late arrivals. Her ACT scores are not up yet but if she does as well as your son did, we are done....just going to review for the APs and SAT subject tests. If she doesn't do well enough for consideration at her reach schools, then she may try to do an ACT prep over the summer. But no more SAT's for this family.</p>
<p>I know that many people perceive that the ACT is easier but I don't think that is true. They are different tests with different methodologies. If your son's schools accept the ACT, then maybe retake that one and see if he improves. My older D actually did worse on the ACT than the SAT but that was the older version SAT--not the current marathon test.</p>
<p>Deb922, my S also scored higher on the ACT. He took the SAT twice and the ACT twice also, scoring 31 the second time. His best SAT score equivalent was a whole lot less, comparatively speaking. If the colleges accept the ACT, go for it. Is there an optional writing section with the ACT now? Some schools might require it. Also, remember that you can send the ACT score from one particular date. ACT doesn't send every test.</p>
<p>Thanks, I am so thrilled for my S. We live in the midwest and the schools that he has looked at accept the SAT or the ACT. </p>
<p>My S will be happy not to sit though the 5 hour marathon that the SAT has become. He'll take the ACT again, he needs to raise his Math score as he wants to go into engineering and ACT Math determines math placement at some of the schools that he has looked at.</p>
<p>The ACT has an optional writing (essay) section that is not optional. All of the schools he looked at require the writing section.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your son. I think you're right on target. I wouldn't bother taking the SAT I again but maybe would try the ACT again. Good luck!</p>
<p>What kind of colleges is he aiming for? If a 30 ACT is good enough for his dream schools, then there are certainly more productive ways to spend that time.</p>