SAT I vs. ACT





Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

College Discussion Forums: SAT/ACT Tests and Test Preparation: March 2003 Archive: SAT I vs. ACT
By Rowan (Rowan) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 11:05 pm: Edit

Brief bio for context: junior, took SAT I in seventh/eighth grade for Johns Hopkins, received approximately 1000 each (taken cold, and on one occasion *with* a cold), took SAT I in November 2002 and scored 710V and 570M. PSAT scores were low (anyone notice how sickness chooses the worst days to rear its ugly head?), but PLAN scores seemed more promising when compared to PSAT's projected SAT and the ACT equivalent (something like 31, again taken sans study).

My question is two-fold. First: is there a track record from anyone here regarding taking the test cold, doing poorly, then studying and doing significantly (let's say 150+points over original) better in the worst subject? Also, from those who may have had a similar problem, if math is your worst subject, is it generally advisable to take the ACT? I plan on taking it, and retaking the SAT I in the fall, but I'm not really sure whether or not I should get my hopes up on improving my scores, especially that ugly math one (I scored about a 480 when I took it in seventh grade, so...).

Any suggestions would be most welcome!

By Kalitiha (Kalitiha) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 08:03 pm: Edit

It's easier to study for the SAT. I believe that the math is definitely harder on the ACT. I don't have an exact conversion chart, but a 1470 SAT is the same as a 33 ACT. But, if the ACT is your bag, take it by all means. However, most East coast schools prefer the SAT and use SAT IIs as placement for classes. If you want to go to school in the midwest, definitely take the ACT.

By Jwood (Jwood) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 09:37 pm: Edit

I find the ACT math much easier. I got a 690 on the SAT math and a 34 ACT math, taking them just two weeks apart.

According to
this
table, a 34 is "equivalent" to a 770-780 and a 690 is "equivalent" to a 31.

By Dontknow (Dontknow) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 03:03 am: Edit

act easier

By Incognito (Incognito) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 06:25 pm: Edit

try a practice version of both and see how you do...


Report an offensive message on this page    E-mail this page to a friend
Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.

Administrator's Control Panel -- Board Moderators Only
Administer Page | Delete Conversation | Close Conversation | Move Conversation