ACT, SAT, or both?
- Thread starter smtassel
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d.mcknight
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Absolutely worth it. My highest actual CR/M combined: 1310. My highest converted score from the ACT: 1460 and if I had taken it again, I probably could've done better than that.
mariner116
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Anyone considering college should take both.
Some people do much better on the ACT than the SAT. My DS took both - scored a 670 Math, 640 Reading on the SAT, but scored a 34 Composite on the ACT. His 35 ACT Math score converted to an 800 SAT score, his 34 ACT Reading score converted to a 760 SAT score, giving him a SAT score of 1560.
The tests are different and some people just do better on the ACT for some reason (I've heard it's more general knowledge), while others do better on the SAT.
It's in your best interest to take both of them to see where you excel. Good luck!
d.mcknight
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Pima
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Our DS took both, reported both. In his situation they all took his ACT score. He was like bjc's his SAT was 1390, but his ACT conversion came out to 1460.
Our DD also took both, and it was her SAT that beat her ACT, so the schools took that score.
I don't know if this is just my kids, but our DS's stronger subject is math, DD's is verbal. So I always wonder if it is just how the test questions are posed.
DS2 will be taking both in June, so I will be interested to see if my premise is correct, since he is like his brother...math/science is his strong suit. If so he will probably do better on the ACT.
Once you have found which is better, take that test. If you are satisfied with one section score, study the other section.
For ex: If on your second shot you get a 700 CR, but only 600 M, next time spend your time studying just M.
Let's say you get 660V and 650 M. For admission purposes you would have 700 CR and 650M because they only take the best scores of each subsection to make a new superscore.
It is about studying proficiently if you want to get the best scores.
Our DD also took both, and it was her SAT that beat her ACT, so the schools took that score.
I don't know if this is just my kids, but our DS's stronger subject is math, DD's is verbal. So I always wonder if it is just how the test questions are posed.
DS2 will be taking both in June, so I will be interested to see if my premise is correct, since he is like his brother...math/science is his strong suit. If so he will probably do better on the ACT.
Once you have found which is better, take that test. If you are satisfied with one section score, study the other section.
For ex: If on your second shot you get a 700 CR, but only 600 M, next time spend your time studying just M.
Let's say you get 660V and 650 M. For admission purposes you would have 700 CR and 650M because they only take the best scores of each subsection to make a new superscore.
It is about studying proficiently if you want to get the best scores.
Pima
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Good advice, I was going from my own experience, and on the east coast it is traditional to superscore.
They will not mix and match tests. In other words, if your score for M is higher on SAT, but ACT V is higher, they won't take both. They will take the best superscore for that exam (SAT or ACT).
I can say that the big schools in NC, VA and MD take superscores.
SA's also take the best superscore.
I believe Notre Dame does too, but that is stretching my mind because it will now be 4 yrs ago since we were in that process.
One thing you will find is that regions also are different when it comes to this issue.
For example the ACT on the east coast is not a test that most take. Most east coasters spend their lives on the SAT. If you wait to the last minute to take the ACT you can get in. Don't sign up as soon as possible and you can find yourself driving 30 miles to get a seat, and that is before the late registering date.
No exaggeration...I signed DD up 2 weeks prior to the close out date and had to drive into DC (we are in VA) for the SAT because every seat was taken. Signed her up 1 day before for the ACT and got a seat 8 miles away.
DD took the ACT because of Notre Dame, he said the place was empty, only 20 kids.
It is a regional thing.
Look into the schools under their admission policy. What one school does should never be equated to every school. The cliche of what assume means is very true in this scenario.
They will not mix and match tests. In other words, if your score for M is higher on SAT, but ACT V is higher, they won't take both. They will take the best superscore for that exam (SAT or ACT).
I can say that the big schools in NC, VA and MD take superscores.
SA's also take the best superscore.
I believe Notre Dame does too, but that is stretching my mind because it will now be 4 yrs ago since we were in that process.
One thing you will find is that regions also are different when it comes to this issue.
For example the ACT on the east coast is not a test that most take. Most east coasters spend their lives on the SAT. If you wait to the last minute to take the ACT you can get in. Don't sign up as soon as possible and you can find yourself driving 30 miles to get a seat, and that is before the late registering date.
No exaggeration...I signed DD up 2 weeks prior to the close out date and had to drive into DC (we are in VA) for the SAT because every seat was taken. Signed her up 1 day before for the ACT and got a seat 8 miles away.
DD took the ACT because of Notre Dame, he said the place was empty, only 20 kids.
It is a regional thing.
Look into the schools under their admission policy. What one school does should never be equated to every school. The cliche of what assume means is very true in this scenario.
Take both; it can pay off big time
Last year (sophmore):
PSAT Math= only 58 (got a 60 in 8th grade), eng-48
not even competitive for anything.........................
4 months later
ACT math-31
ACT English- 28
on the right track.........................
Currently:
Superscored ACT=31
Eng-30 with writing, 31 without
Math-35
Reading- 27
Science-33
I am taking it again in June.
Last year (sophmore):
PSAT Math= only 58 (got a 60 in 8th grade), eng-48
not even competitive for anything.........................
4 months later
ACT math-31
ACT English- 28
on the right track.........................
Currently:
Superscored ACT=31
Eng-30 with writing, 31 without
Math-35
Reading- 27
Science-33
I am taking it again in June.
MadisonLee
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Most colleges will accept either, but you should take both because some people do better on the ACT. You mentioned you might take the SAT again; IMO this is always a good idea. See, the SAT really just tests one thing: your ability to take the SAT. So the more time you put into practicing math exercises, memorizing the vocabulary, and getting a feel for the way things are worded and asked, the better you will do. A good resource to use for both ACT and SAT prep is Shmoop.com; my son found these really clever vocabulary memory tricks on there and used their practice exercises and mock tests and I think that really helped him.
Agree 100%. There is no penalty for taking both, or for taking a test 2,3,4 different times.
Cadet Commmand, and NETC (Navy ROTC command) both take the higher of your math scores. For example, if you get 570 in Math on the SAT (not good to be under 600 btw), and 29 in math portion of the ACT, Cadet Command/NETC will convert the 29 ACT score to a 650 SAT Equivalent, and put 650 in your scholarship application file. I don't know how Air Force ROTC does it.
Pima
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AFROTC will convert the ACT score over to their SAT scale. They will than take the best of the two. In other words, if ACT comes out higher, they use the ACT score. If SAT comes out higher than ACT, the use the SAT score. This is why it is a no harm, no foul issue.