Should I take the SAT?

FlyingWings

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My school doesn't make us take the SAT, only the ACT in the spring of our Junior year. Should I take the SAT or just focus on scoring well on the ACT?

Thanks.
 
Suggest you take each test and figure out which one better suits you. Then focus on that one, doing as much prep as possible, whether formal or informal. Plan to take your target test at least a couple times, because scores do tend to improve as you become accustomed to the format.
 
There is no reason for your SCHOOL to decide which test you take or do not take. YOU DECIDE YOUR FUTURE. Take both!

In Wisconsin all students are required to take the ACT. There is a specific school day set aside when all HS Juniors take it. The SAT is not promoted very much and it is up to the student to seek out the opportunity. I’m not sure where the OP is from, but it may be a situation such as this that they are referring to in their post. Understanding and kindness go much farther than scolding.

Stealth_81
 
My school was the same way. I took the ACT once before the school session and scored well. Took it the second time with my school and scored better. Never needed to bother with the SAT. I'd suggest prepping hard for the ACT and seeing how you do. If you tank, consider the SAT. If not, don't bother.
 
My school doesn't make us take the SAT, only the ACT in the spring of our Junior year. Should I take the SAT or just focus on scoring well on the ACT?

Thanks.

USAFA accepts either test with no bias towards one or the other. Do what you feel will give you the best scores. My son took the ACT several times and the SAT once. The SAT was only taken because son wanted to see how he did.

Stealth_81
 
My school doesn't make us take the SAT, only the ACT in the spring of our Junior year. Should I take the SAT or just focus on scoring well on the ACT?

Thanks.
Can only speak from our experience. My DD took only ACT (4x) 1x each yr in high school. You can take ACT as many times as you would like. USAFA super scores. DD received her appointment Dec 21.
 
Didn't mean to scold or sound so...

It is just that I feel strongly that these young people need to take hold of their lives, not let some bureaucrat decide things for them.

WI getting what kind of kick back from ACT for statewide testing?! Is it free for kids too ("free")?
 
@FlyingWings Here's what I recommend to students I work with and did with my own kids - take at least one full-length practice test each of the ACT and SAT at home. Carve out a chunk of time (3-4 hours, depending on which test) on two different mornings, and the test as if you were taking the real thing. My kids started at 8 am, and they took each section under timed conditions. Then we scored the tests and compared the ACT vs. SAT.

You can find practice tests here:
SAT - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests
ACT - https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/prepact20182019.pdf

There are hybrid practice tests (a combo of SAT & ACT) available, but they are not as effective for diagnostics as taking the entire full-length tests. You may discover subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the tests (content, scope, wording, timing) and get a feel for which test is better for you. One of my kids did equally well with both tests, one preferred the ACT, and one preferred the SAT. If the ACT suits you, then you can focus on prepping for it instead of having to tackle both since it's mandatory for you. If you prefer the SAT, then you will want to invest prep time there.

Hope this helps!
 
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