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@KDennis
4 answers, 14 votes
 • 4 years ago •
Admissions Advice

Should I take the SAT or the ACT?

I’m about to be a senior and I was just wondering should I take the SAT or ACT. I know people’s opinions differ with some preferring one over the other, but I just want a general opinion. Most people say take both practice tests and see how you do but i don’t really think i have the time to do that. SAT testing starts next month and ACT starts the month after so i really just need to pick one now and study hard for it.

Majority of the people I have spoken with have said that the ACT is easier to take/do good on but the con is that they give you less time to answer than the SAT. I have read that the ACT has more straight-forward questions and easier concepts, but the SAT has a longer time. So my question is for anyone who has taken both or know a lot about these tests, which one do you advise me to take? Right now I’m leaning on the ACT because I‘d rather have easier questions just with less time than harder questions with more time but anyone please just let me know.

SAT
ACT
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2 answers

3
@chxm33
269 answers, 259 votes
 • 4 years ago[edited]

[deleted]

3
@cp8394 years ago [edited]

I agree with everything you said except that the curve is worse for the ACT than the SAT. A lot of the raw to scale curves that can be found online are harsher than the actual test. (e.g I missed 5 on the English section and got a 35 while according to princeton review's chart that's a 33). It's also a myth that you have to get every question right on each section to get 36s.

[🎤 AUTHOR]@KDennis4 years ago

@cp839 How was the ACT? Why did you decide to take it over the SAT and what are your personal pros and cons about it?

[🎤 AUTHOR]@KDennis4 years ago

@crsgo0422 Thank you for the information. I think I’m just gonna study for and take the ACT. Many people have told me they do better on that and time is really a problem for me. I don’t go back to double check my answers, as long as I answer every question that’s all I care about.

[🎤 AUTHOR]@KDennis4 years ago

sorry for the typo. I mean time isn’t really a problem for me

1
@DebaterMAX
905 answers, 731 votes
 • 4 years ago

So the ACT is the base line at most Midwest/great plain schools. The SAT is the baseline everywhere else. There is no preference to either one though.

The ACT you have around a minute per question but the questions themselves are more straightforward. The ACT also has a science section that is part graph reading and part science. If you took biology chemistry physics you should do fine.

The SAT you get more time but they are more intricate. Essentially it’s more 3 step than 2 step (metaphor). Also the SAT has subject tests that are considered in admissions especially at the ivies. The ACT doesn’t have that.

Hope this helps and comment if you need clarification.

1
[🎤 AUTHOR]@KDennis4 years ago

I know the basics about both tests but I was just asking from others experience or knowledge which one do you think I should take and possibly why? Which one did you take? And why?

@DebaterMAX4 years ago

So I took the PSAT haven't taken ACT or SAT yet but planning on both. On a mock ACT I didn't do to well on the PSAT I did better. When converted to ACT scores the PSAT was better by 3. If you can quickly solve intricate problems or just need time the SAT is for you. The ACT is better if you can do things quickly and have no problems with science as science can trip you up badly. Id say the SAT is the best for you based on your comments but I cant say. Also does your school pay for a test?

[🎤 AUTHOR]@KDennis4 years ago

Yes my school gives me 3 free waivers to take either test. That’s kind of why I just want to pick one and study for it right now so that when I do take it I have 3 times to perfect my score. Honestly I’m kinda torn because I can’t quickly solve intricate problems like the SAT but I also am not the best with timing/pacing. So there’s a weakness for me in both tests.

[🎤 AUTHOR]@KDennis4 years ago

Like I said I’m leaning on the ACT because it’s more straight-forward. I rather have trouble with time and no the actual content itself on the ACT than have more more time but gets confused at all the multi-step problems they throw my way on the SAT.

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