Is it time to move on??

adviceseeker

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Sep 11, 2018
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I’m seeking advice on how to handle standardize testing for the rest of 2018. First and foremost, I am a senior so I’m pressed for time with nomination deadlines and application deadlines quickly approaching. I’ve always considered myself more of an ACT kind of guy. I’ve taken the ACT 3 times in total. My superscore is as followed: English 29, Math 29, Reading 32, science 31. These scores aren’t obviously where I’d like them to be. However, hypothetically speaking, I only have the October and December ACT tests to get my scores up.

Very frustrated with the ACT, I’m considering giving the SAT a go around. With that being said, I took a practice test last night and scored a 600 on English/writing and a 670 on math. I was oblivious to the time constraints or content on the SAT. I created this forum to see which path I should take. There are three more SAT tests dates left in 2018: October, November, and December. Which path should I take: the SAT, the ACT, or start taking both? Test scores are the biggest component of the application process, therefore obtaining high scores is my primary goal.

Lastly if I were to give the SAT a shot where should I start? I heard Khan Academy is a great resource. Anyone have any solid recommendations on a SAT book? Websites for practice tests? And would 700+ in each section place me above average in the standardize testing category of the WCS?
 
Your ACT scores are higher than your SAT, so I would stick with the ACT. My SAT scores were much lower than my ACTs. Focus on consistency with your standardized testing, as a current senior I personally wouldn't recommend switching around. That's just my two cents!

However, if you really want to give SAT a go, definitely utilize the free practice on Khan Academy, and take as many practice tests as you can in timed constraints using first and foremost the Official SAT practice book which contains 8 tests, or the Princeton SAT book which contains 8 more tests based off of the Official SAT 8. 700s in each second puts you in a great spot, but that score may or may not make you competitive in your congressional district and state. Best of luck.
 
As I researched study guides for my daughter, I found that Khan Academy is rated number 1 for the SAT, and it's free. That would be a great place to start.
 
Like @USNAismyplace, I believe you should stay the course at this point in the game. But before ruling out the SAT all together, answer this: Have your ACT scores improved steadily or have they plateaued or swung around? Have you done all you can to prepare for the ACT, using every available prep course, website and book? Are you ready to take the SAT at least twice, knowing that once is probably not enough to maximize your super score?

Depending on how you answer those questions, determine your best path. Maybe you’ve really topped out on the ACT, maybe not.
 
What of the SAT subject tests?
Do they affect or support in any way?
 

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I’m seeking advice on how to handle standardize testing for the rest of 2018. First and foremost, I am a senior so I’m pressed for time with nomination deadlines and application deadlines quickly approaching. I’ve always considered myself more of an ACT kind of guy. I’ve taken the ACT 3 times in total. My superscore is as followed: English 29, Math 29, Reading 32, science 31. These scores aren’t obviously where I’d like them to be. However, hypothetically speaking, I only have the October and December ACT tests to get my scores up.

Very frustrated with the ACT, I’m considering giving the SAT a go around. With that being said, I took a practice test last night and scored a 600 on English/writing and a 670 on math. I was oblivious to the time constraints or content on the SAT. I created this forum to see which path I should take. There are three more SAT tests dates left in 2018: October, November, and December. Which path should I take: the SAT, the ACT, or start taking both? Test scores are the biggest component of the application process, therefore obtaining high scores is my primary goal.

Lastly if I were to give the SAT a shot where should I start? I heard Khan Academy is a great resource. Anyone have any solid recommendations on a SAT book? Websites for practice tests? And would 700+ in each section place me above average in the standardize testing category of the WCS?
I took Khan Academy and online Kaplan for SAT and Online ACT from ACT.org and they helped me to cross 1450 and 33+ in my second attempts. I am not attempting anymore.
 
What of the SAT subject tests?
Do they affect or support in any way?

They will not change your SAT scores or composite. They may be used to evaluate placement in classes once you have an appointment.

Stealth_81
 
Like @USNAismyplace, I believe you should stay the course at this point in the game. But before ruling out the SAT all together, answer this: Have your ACT scores improved steadily or have they plateaued or swung around? Have you done all you can to prepare for the ACT, using every available prep course, website and book? Are you ready to take the SAT at least twice, knowing that once is probably not enough to maximize your super score?

If I’m going to be honest, I’ve noticed a decrease in my scores. And each time I put in a solid 30+ hours to study plus I take 6 different practice tests. If you don’t mind, would you elaborate more on why I should stick only to the ACT? Is it because it’s too late in the game?

And just out of curiosity, for my plan B schools, a far greater number will superscore the SAT but not the ACT. Does anyone know why this is?
 
@adviceseeker, it typically makes sense to stick with one test because most people do quite a bit better on one over the other, and because you can focus your prep and build on prior attempts.

Now if your scores are getting worse on the ACT despite plenty of serious study — which would be highly unusual — then perhaps you’ve topped out (and/or should have gone with the SAT from the start).

If you’re going to switch, then go full bore on the SAT. Don’t try to do both tests in the next few months because again, you need to focus and take the SAT at least twice (unless lightning strikes and you get 1500+ on your first try). I say twice because the first is a warmup, sets a benchmark, and spotlights your strengths and weaknesses.
 
Takes as many tests as you can as long as you use score choice for the civilian schools. SA's (at least USMA) don't care how many times you take the tests. Some civilian schools do.

Standardized testing is a crap shoot for the individual sections. Sometimes you get a section that you just click with and get a phenomenal score. That is often offset by a lower score on another section, which keeps the composite about the same, but really helps the super score.
 
If you don’t mind, would you elaborate more on why I should stick only to the ACT? Is it because it’s too late in the game?

In my opinion, you should focus on the ACT because your ACT composite score of 30 is comparatively higher than your SAT score of 1270. A concordance table would equate your 30 ACT to about a 1370 SAT score. As such, I would surmise your ACT score is stronger and a better place to focus. However, since you said your latest scores have decreased, you may want to try the SAT although I think you would be best served by focusing on your ACT Math and English scores. Also, just a one point improvement on any section will increase your superscore ACT to 31 which equates to a 1400. See the concordance table link.

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/guide-2018-act-sat-concordance.pdf

Just my two cents.
 
Adviceseeker. I would stick with the ACT. You’re almost there to break 30 on ENG and MATH. Even in ACT English and Math matter the most. Reading and Science are given less weight by USAFA and other SAs. But will need them for super scoring. Your READ and SCI are fine. I would try harder to get 32 in English and 31 in Math. That will give you a super score of 32. You’re almost there don’t give up ACT. IMHO your time is better spent on improving ACT rather than trying out SAT. It’s too late to experiment if you’re a Senior.
 
Have you considered hiring a tutor that can work with you one-on-one, in addition to regular Khan Academy practice?
 
Based on the super scoring format, I would stick with the ACT test. If you move your math or English scores, you have done a lot of good for yourself. But because there are four separate sub components of the ACT exam, you can have a less then than great overall exam, but it is still a huge success if you increase one or two sub-scores, because you either were thinking well during that component of the exam, or just plain got lucky. Either way it's a win.

If you switch to the SAT exam, you are essentially starting over with the process, and receive no benefit from the super scoring format unless you are able to take it multiple times.
 
Have you evaluated (or have someone evaluate) what areas you are weak in and just concentrate on those areas?
So if you are good at Plane Geometry but not Trigonometry then why do more Plane Geometry problems?
 
Do not give up. It is not all about the tests. How is your GPA? What leadership have you shown? How were your essays?
 
Adviceseeker. I would stick with the ACT. You’re almost there to break 30 on ENG and MATH. Even in ACT English and Math matter the most. Reading and Science are given less weight by USAFA and other SAs. But will need them for super scoring. Your READ and SCI are fine. I would try harder to get 32 in English and 31 in Math. That will give you a super score of 32. You’re almost there don’t give up ACT. IMHO your time is better spent on improving ACT rather than trying out SAT. It’s too late to experiment if you’re a Senior.

Wanted to update everyone on my score improvements from the September test. My super-score composite has increased to a 32: English 31, math 30, reading 32, science 33. Definitely glad to see the scores going in the right direction. CrewDad should I go ahead and sign up for the October test? What are your thoughts?
 
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