SATs vs. ACTs

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 11:35am

The time will soon be coming - I am going to have to start applying to colleges. I made a post about NYU once and someone mentioned something about the ACTs. I got the Princeton Review CD-Rom for SAT practice, and it came with an ACT CD-Rom also. I recently started exploring the ACT CD-Rom today, only covering English and some of the Science section.

My questions are, what do you find better: SATs or ACTs? What are the pros and cons of each? Did you do a lot better on the SATs than the ACTs or vice versa? If you want to share your scores, that would be okay too. It's just that I have been frustrated with the SATs (who isn't) and wondering if the ACTs would be a better option. I disliked the verbal part of the SATs (although I know reading comprehension appears on both).

Also, is there a writing part on the ACTs? Any information would be helpful! Thanks.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 11:40am

I'm going to try to do this quickly. I took both, and when I converted my ACT score, it came out exactly equivalent to my SAT score, so it really didn't help me, but most of the time people will do significantly better on one or the other.

If you're unhappy with your SAT score, take the ACT. Actually, take the ACT no matter what, for several reasons: it looks good that you tried. You never know; you might just do better. They're very different exams; the ACT tests you on a MUCH broader range of subjects, and the scoring is different (an aspect that can really help or hurt you). Do your research on the ACT and see if it's a good option for you personally. If you do decide to take it, make sure you prepare. Like the SAT, a lot of it is more about knowing how to take the test than what kinds of information you actually know, though the ACT is more knowledge-based than the SAT. Also, check with the schools you're applying to; a lot of them are beginning to require the SAT II's, but a lot of times you can use your ACT score in place of SAT II scores. Best of luck!

[zepka102]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 11:44am

i actually didn't take the ACTS... SATs were no fun and i didn't do all too well... but dont forget if you take it multiple times you can combine the best scores... that helps! but i still got in my 1st choice school (SUNY Fredonia) and i'm doing fine.... while that doesnt give much help, it shows you its not something to REALLY freak out about

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 11:44am

I'm more for the SATs.

But you CAN take both. I heard that the people who usually bomb the SAT get better grades on the SAT, or vice versa. They're the both extremes. Take both if you don't like your first grade.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 11:47am

"I heard that the people who usually bomb the SAT get better grades on the SAT, or vice versa.."

Lol, I'm assuming you mean if they bomb the SAT they get better grades on the ACT, or vice versa.

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 11:55am

Oh snap!

Thank you. I'm still tired.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 11:58am

Lol, I almost typed like that also.

Posted: 8/22/04 at 12:24pm

As someone who worked in admissions at a well-respected university, I recommend taking both. I accepted students into accelerated honors programs and used the higher of the two tests to help qualify the student. From experience, a lot of students seemed to score higher on the ACT than SAT.

Additionally, I taught SAT and GRE for Princeton Review (fyi, it's a great job for anyone out there who is looking for supplemental income while in grad school or searching for a job). The key to doing well on standardized exams (which I absolutely loathe, by the way) is practice! Vocab also plays a major part as well. A lot of students thought they were practicing by taking one section and scoring it, etc. That's great, but it will really help to sit down and take a timed full-length exam about once a week. Then, you should go through them and learn from your mistakes.

Sorry to ramble... I hope this helps! Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 12:46pm

I like the ACT better except for the science section
However, there are times when I want to slit my wrists over the SAT math

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 2:48pm

On the CD-ROM I have, they make everything look so easy - because they break everything down for you. Then when I take the test, I freak out and get all nervous about putting down answers. I end up staring at the test.

Posted: 8/22/04 at 2:53pm

Practice will help with the "freak out factor." It may not be such a bad idea to take a course if you think that will also help build confidence- either Kaplan and Princeton Review are good to serve this purpose.

[SammyGal]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 5:03pm

I'm applying to colleges soon too. (*throw up noise*) too much stress!!

but the ACT measures a lot more of your all around ability rather than just making it math and verbal like the SAT.
A lot of people do better on the ACT.
I did a tad bit better on the ACT so I'll send that score to schools over the SAT.

good luck! :)

[Plum]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 6:09pm

Hmm...I've heard that people tend to score slightly higher on the ACT, but the test wasn't even really a possibility for me. And I did okay on my SATs, too- only needed to take them twice. :)

But since the SATs have changed since I took them, I really can't say.