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My principal told me that the ACT tends to be easier than the SAT. I got 1160 last time I took the SAT, and he suggested I try the ACT instead of taking the SAT again. Is this a good idea?

By Dave Berry on Sunday, September 16, 2001 - 06:46 pm: Edit

Hey Foosguy, do you play foosball? Just kidding. From my experience, the ACT may be easier for you if you're good at subject-oriented tests (the ACT) rather than concept-oriented tests (the SAT). Taking the ACT may not be a bad idea, but I strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the test format and typical contents before you take it. There are any number of good study guides available for the ACT published by the same folks who do the SAT study guides.

In my opinion, it's easier to improve your SAT score by doing some prep than it is to goose your ACT score. As I mentioned, the ACT is much more subject-specific than the SAT, so you're going to have to know more concrete information, especially in its higher-level math. Give it a shot and let us know what happens. Good luck!

By Foosguy on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 08:43 pm: Edit

Thanks, Dave, and yes, I do play Foosball... what was your first clue? ;-) I'm hoping they add SAT IIs for foosball and air hockey...

By FanToo on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 08:33 pm: Edit

Does anyone know where I can get a conversion chart that equates ACT scores with the SAT I? I don't know which one to send in. What happens if there's a big difference between your scores? I mean what if my ACT equals a lot less than my SAT or the other way around? What's the best strategy? Thanks.

By Jerry Wuorenmaa on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 08:20 am: Edit

Hey FanToo, it is easy to find a conversion chart by doing a search on the internet. One of the many charts that is available can be found at http://www.powerprep.com/actvssat.htm. Good luck!

By Marcus Leonard on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 06:43 pm: Edit

HI i'm narcus. i got a 1250 on my SAT and will be taking the ACT soon. Are those conversion charts accurate or can i expect to get a 28 on the ACT?

By Megan R on Saturday, June 22, 2002 - 02:59 am: Edit

Marcus, I got a 1250 on my SAT, and on the ACT I got a 32. The conversion charts don't always predict what you are going to get

By sgandhi on Saturday, June 22, 2002 - 08:47 am: Edit

Megan R is right. When people construct those conversion charts, they take a sample of people that took both the SAT and the ACT and compared the scores. There is no mathematical or formulaic method to convert those scores; it is based purely on statistical sampling. Usually whey you see a score conversion chart, the chart tells you the sample size and where the students who were sampled were from.

By susancolon on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 12:37 pm: Edit

Hi, My 11th grade daughter just took both the sat and the act tests. She got 1090 (640 verbal/450 math) on the sat and 24 on the act. I know that these are not great scores. She has not taken college prep classes. NO upper math or sciences. She did do very well on the "verbal/language" parts which boosted her scores on both. Are these scores too low to get in any where?

By pompomgirl on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 07:29 pm: Edit

Susancolon, there are THOUSANDS of schools in the U.S. Scores much lower than your daughter's can gain admission to many competent schools.

By quarky on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 07:46 pm: Edit

Just got my newest ACT score...
which score should I use? 1330 SAT or 30 ACT?

By lucille on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 02:43 pm: Edit

Does Brown prefer the SAT or th ACTs- or doesn't it matter?

By sgandhi on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 08:47 am: Edit

To Quarky: You should use the 30 ACT. In my opinion, it is a better score than the SAT score.

To lucille: I did some research, and Brown says that they need either the ACT or the SAT I plus three SAT II's. It appears that Brown does not have a preference for test scores.

By Barbara Shilowich on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 03:31 pm: Edit

My son is trying to decide whether to submit his ACT score of 33 or his SAT I score of 1410. Or are they close enough that he should submit both?

By sgandhi on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 05:03 pm: Edit

Both scores are comparable to each other if one were to compare them on the concordance chart between the SAT and ACT. In my opinion, they are close enough that your son should submit them both.

By Ben on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 02:10 pm: Edit

I went to a college fair recently, and the colleges told me that they have their own conversion charts for ACT to SAT. I looked at ACT and SAT range of students attending cornell university, and I found that the average SAT combined score was a 1360 and the average ACT score was a 29. I scored a 28 on the ACT, do u think that I could get in to Cornell with a 28 that usually concordes with a 1280 SAT, but at cornell it probably concordes with a 1320?

By sgandhi on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 04:55 pm: Edit

You probably could, as the college would probably compare your ACT score with other ACT scores it receives (i.e. the 29 average). However, (my constant caveat) colleges look at other things besides your test scores, such as grades, extracurricular activities, and your essay.

By John on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 08:10 pm: Edit

Should I submit my SAT score (1260) or my ACT score (28)?

By sgandhi on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 10:44 am: Edit

John, according to the concordance tables, both of your scores are comparable, so I would suggest that you submit both of them.

By Jack on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 02:30 pm: Edit

How many math questions do u have to get right to get a 34 on the ACT?

By quarky on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 01:19 pm: Edit

Usually 59, in some cases 58. If you miss 3 questions or more, you're pretty much below 34.

By Cole Bunzel on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 02:40 pm: Edit

Is it proven that either the Sat or ACT is easier to study for and improve your score on? Or do you have an opion on the matter?

By Richard Hall on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 06:15 pm: Edit

I got a 35 on the ACT math, does that mean I definitely got exactly one wrong??? If it does I am gonna be pissed because it would have bumped my average up with one more right : (.

By James Sibley on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 05:48 pm: Edit

For the ACT and SAT conversions, the conversion chart was not made by sampling students. It was made from the Freshman Index formula, both for the ACT and SAT. All you do is plug in the SAT or ACT score in the proper formula and solve for the FI. Then plug the FI into the other formula and solve for the SAT or ACT score.

James

By zackr on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 06:29 pm: Edit

I have a 1310 on the SAT and a 29 on the ACT, I have taken only two of the three SAT II tests, should I just submit the ACT score?

By sgandhi on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 07:06 am: Edit

According to the concordance tables for the SAT-ACT, a 1310 SAT is on par with a 29 ACT. How well did you do on the SAT II tests? What colleges are you looking at? That answer can influence what scores you should send.

By zackr on Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 02:14 pm: Edit

Actually, I have a 1340, and I am applying to Duke early decesion and UNC, princeton, UW, and stanford. I have taken two sat II tests, writing and history, and got 700 and 710 on them respectivley, but I still need to take another test.

By Ben on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 08:04 pm: Edit

Do colleges convert a 28 ACT to a 1300 SAT?

By sgandhi on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 09:55 pm: Edit

Re: zackr
For the colleges you're looking at, you should send the SAT II scores anyway, so, in my opinion, you should send both SAT and ACT scores.

Re: Ben
I am unsure. Colleges have their own concordance tables that they use when evaluating board exam scores, so the method in which they use your SAT/ACT score may differ from college to college.

By Greg on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 07:20 pm: Edit

I have found conversion tables converting English and Math ACT scores to SAT math and Verbal. Do colleges convert the english and the math to SAT and use SCIENCE and READING separatly, or do they convert the composite?

By sgandhi on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 09:19 pm: Edit

I believe colleges convert the composite score. Colleges probably have some statistical equation that can take into account the subscores on the ACT when converting to the SAT. Conversely, the college may have two sets of "Test Charts" for evaluating board exams: one for the SAT and one for the ACT.

By doodlelidoo26 on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 08:21 pm: Edit

Many colleges have presently began to take either ACT or SAT. But which score do they prefer more? I've heard they ave a higher preference for the SAT, but am not sure.

By Shawn on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 10:50 pm: Edit

Does anyone know how much score do I have to get
from ACT, If I want to get into U of I?

I moved here 1 year and a half ago.
So... even my English is not that good, please try to understand me..
As I told you even my Enlish is not good there is no exception for ACT.
But, I am not sure how much points I have to get.
If u guys have a time for a little reply. Please help me.. Thanks

By darcy on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 11:21 pm: Edit

hey guys, here is a website with a conversion chart on it, my SAT was an 1120, and my ACT was a 26, i'm guessing its a good idea to send the ACT scores. Do you know if colleges take either more seriously, or anything like that? thanks, darcy
http://www.ivywest.com/acttosat.htm

By sgandhi on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 05:38 pm: Edit

It does not matter which test you send to colleges; they equally weight SAT and ACT scores. However, if the college requires one or the other, you would be well-advised to follow their request.

By Jake on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 09:35 pm: Edit

The First time i took the ACT I got
English- 31
Math- 27
Reading-27
Science- 28
Composite- 28
The second time i took the ACT I got
English- 25
Math- 33
Reading- 27
Science - 30
Composite- 29
As u can see if i were to get the same english score, i would of had a composte close to 31. Will colleges take ur best english score for ACT?

By bah on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 04:35 pm: Edit

No, I had the same problem. I got a 31 math the first time, and due to a calculator mode(DAMN YOU RADIANS), i only got a 29. Nevertheless if they conbined i would have had a 30-31, I ONLY GOT A 28 overall.. ARGG.

So, to reiterate, there is no combining on the ACT.

By college crazy on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 05:04 pm: Edit

yes, radian mode messes me up all the time too

By quarky on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 05:59 pm: Edit

What were your strategies on the science? That's what messes me up on the ACT. I am very good at science, but I simply can't get enough time to think at an average of five minutes and more than six questions per passage!
I've taken the ACT three times, December will be my 4th. English is my second language, so I simply don't have time to read the stupid experiments. I always answer most of the questions without reading all the info they give u. I just look at the graphs/charts/tables and quickly try to understand what they are talking about. I know I would do better if I had more time, but I just can't do 45 questions in 35 questions and get all of them right. I think 29 science is like 4 questions answered incorrectly.

1.
English 26
Math 32
Reading 18
Science 27
Composite 26

2.
English 30
Math 35
Reading 26
Science 28
Composite 30

3.
English 34
Math 35
Rading 30
Science 29
Composite 32

By sue143 on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 08:31 pm: Edit

Hey...I was just reading all of the posts on here, and it kind of makes me feel incompetent knowing that my composite is less than everyone else's...I just want to know if a 23 is extremely bad, and if should retake the test. I don't want to retake it and do worse than the first time, so I'd be satisfied with the 23 if it isn't too horrible.

By quarky on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 08:55 pm: Edit

23 is definitely above the average -- 21 -- but I suggest you retake it. Look at my post above. I retook it twice and improved by 6 points!

By John Thompson on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 04:16 pm: Edit

23 is not bad. Ive found it is good to take it a couple times though so you can get the timing down.

By jenny on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 05:28 pm: Edit

I just got my ACT score (30) and I was wondering if I should send that in instead of my SAT (1410). Also, if I am applying to Brown, and they want either an ACT score or SAT plus the three SAT II tests, could I send in both my scores (without the SAT II's), since I think my SAT is better?

By asheridan on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 02:20 pm: Edit

If you send your SAT I, your SAT IIs will automatically be sent, unless they are still on score choice. Your 1410 is a bit higher than the 30, which equates to a low to mid 1300. So if you haven't taken the SAT IIs, why not send both? If you have, and they are also in the ball park, you might not want to send in the ACT. Isn't this a silly game?

By AL on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 08:43 pm: Edit

I was wondering which I should send in, my ACT score or SAT score? I received a 31 on ACT and a 1410 on my SAT. Which one should I send in? Or should I send in both. Which one is better?

By Pat57575 (Pat57575) on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 10:48 pm: Edit

they're about the same, I'd send both but if you have to choose I'd probably go w/ the sat

By Donny Cosselman on Saturday, December 07, 2002 - 08:47 pm: Edit

I got a 1380 on the SAT I and a 29 composite on the ACT...should I only send my SAT I score reports to colleges since a 29 ACT = 1300 SAT?

By Hates Standardized Tests on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 03:46 pm: Edit

Yea I think the ACT to SAT conversion at thw powerprep site is complete bs. I got a 1270 on the SAT, TWICE believe it or not, and a 31 on the ACT. Supposedly, a 31 is like top 95+ percentile for the act, and that converts to a 1380 only? Is it true that a 1380 on the SAT is top 95+ percentile?!

Also, I was led to believe that colleges dont care how bad you did on a test... Like if you got a 20 on the ACT, but a 1350 on the SAT, they would say this guy is smart.. i think...

By HeatherM on Wednesday, December 25, 2002 - 04:05 am: Edit

My ACT scores were as follows for those of you who are considering taking it twice.
1st time
English:27
Math:17
Reading:28
Science:19
Comp:23
2nd time: (2 months later, no test prep, etc.)
English:33
Math:17
Reading:33
Science:24
Comp:27

By QUarky on Wednesday, December 25, 2002 - 12:18 pm: Edit

Here are mine:
SAT 1: 500V 800M
SAT 2: 540V 790M
SAT 3: 550V 780M

ACT 1: 26 Composite, 26 English, 32 Mat, 18 Reading, 27 Science
ACT 2: 30 Composite, 30 English, 35 Math, 26 Reading, 28 Science
ACT 3: 32 Composite, 34 English, 35 Math, 30 Reading, 29 Science
ACT 4: 32 Composite, 32 English, 34 Math, 30 Reading, 33 Science

By bamkase on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 01:28 am: Edit

here are mine:

710 verbal, 680 math

36 reading, 35 writing, 29 math, 28 science
32 composite

By Kk02 (Kk02) on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 05:52 am: Edit

Mine:

SAT 1: 590 V, 700 M
SAT 2: 650 V, 740 M (after a few years)
SAT 3: 700 V, 800 M (after another 2 months)

ACT: 28 English, 34 Math, 28 Reading, 30 Science
ACT Composite: 30

I hate standardized tests. Most of all because they're so damn expensive.

By Sarbear (Sarbear) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 02:35 am: Edit

I hate to go against the crowd (actually I don't really), but from my research, the conversion tables seem pretty accurate. I am sampling students, so perhpas that is no the most accurate investigation method, but here is a list of some of my friends scores (I didn't take the ACT, so you can totally discredit this if desires: SAT M/V 800/720)

ACT: 28 - SAT: 1260 (Chart: 1260)
ACT: 28 - SAT: 1280 (Chart: 1260)
ACT: 29 - SAT: 1310 (Chart: 1300)
ACT: 30 - SAT: 1330 (Chart: 1340)
ACT: 33 - SAT: 1460 (Chart: 1470)
ACT: 34 - SAT: 1520 (Chart: 1520)
ACT: 35 - SAT: 1560 (Chart: 1560)

Small sample, I know. Just wanted to offer varied perspective, and I (at the risk of sounding like a cocky jackass) always prefer to do my own reseach rather than trust others. Good luck!!