ACT vs. SAT?

[xnfs93hy]

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I am poor at math. I got my SAT scores and I received a 1410 total out of 2400. I did fine on the Crit Reading and Writing but a lot of schools don't look at the writing so once again, I'm out of luck.

It isn't that I'm stupid, I am just a lot stronger in other subjects. I did fine on everything else. Well, I did the national average. But that is still fine. I didn't take any prep classes either so that isn't too bad.


I talked to my friend who is #15 in this years graduating class and he said to take the ACT. I am good in English, and Science and he said the science is not too bad, but I have heard otherwise. I hear it was a lot of reading graphs. I'm good at that. Like data and stuff?

I really need to score like well on the ACT. If I can do well on everything but the ACT Math, do you think my score will equal out to be a high SAT score (like a 1700). Anything above average. I need a good score and I don't want to waste anymore time prepping for the stupid SAT.

 

[broken tibula]

Some people do better on the ACT than the SAT, and vise versa. I did better on ACT math, I think. Not sure what you're really asking...

 

[xnfs93hy]

Some people do better on the ACT than the SAT, and vise versa. I did better on ACT math, I think. Not sure what you're really asking...

Is it easier to score higher on the ACT? I mean, you don't get points off for getting questions wrong...there is a science section. No stupid vocab, etc.

 

[broken tibula]

No, ACT is not easier than SAT. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. As I said, some people think SAT is easier, and others think the ACT is easier. You'll never know which one is better for you until you've taken both.

 

[xnfs93hy]

There is no stupid vocab on the ACT. You do not get points off for wrong questions. There is Math, English, and science. I scored high on the English on the SAT and poor on the math. The ACT also has science so I figure that I should do better on the ACT.

 

[broken tibula]

Okay, so try the ACT if you think you'll do better. As a junior, you've got all the time in the world!

 

[EyEnStein 07]

Let me ask you what do you consider a low math score and an "ok" critical reading score? My advise is you CAN take the ACT but dont expect to do a lot better. For example i scored decent (1800+) my first time taking the SAT's, and when i took the ACT, the score was probably equivalent to a 1780 or something. So then, i retook the SAT focusing on my strengths (math + writing, i am hopeless in CR) and i was able to maximize my math and writing scores and balance it with my low reading score (a low reading score for me is 470-520, i got exactly 500)

 

[xnfs93hy]

Let me ask this.

My top school, which is probably the most competitive of the schools that I will be applying to next year, is University of Kentucky. I have emailed them and they keep saying that the median 50% is 22-27. If I get a 22 will that be considered low? I have asked my guidance counselor and she said no. I mean, OBVIOUSLY a 27 is a better score but with my serious lack of math skills. A 22 is a much more attainable score. If I can score in the middle 50, should I be alright. My GPA is fine. I'm more concerned about getting a good ACT score for UK.

Any comment on this. If you are wondering what I am asking:

Is scoring on the lower end of the median alright as long as I am IN THE MEDIAN? Obviously I will try to do better...

 

[broken tibula]

If I get a 22 will that be considered low? I have asked my guidance counselor and she said no. I mean, OBVIOUSLY a 27 is a better score but with my serious lack of math skills.

Lol. You just answered your own question, silly. Of course someone with a 27 has an edge on someone with a 22. But, clearly, UK does admit people with scores of 22.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Lol. You just answered your own question, silly. Of course someone with a 27 has an edge on someone with a 22. But, clearly, UK does admit people with scores of 22.

Well, yeah, kind of.

I mean, it says on their website 22 is also in the median but will I have a HUGE disadvantage or a SMALL disadvantage or none at all for being at the lower end of the median?

My cousin goes there and tells me I could get in with a 20 or even a 19 because UK accepts like 70% of applicants and isn't that selective.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Let me ask you what do you consider a low math score and an "ok" critical reading score? My advise is you CAN take the ACT but dont expect to do a lot better. For example i scored decent (1800+) my first time taking the SAT's, and when i took the ACT, the score was probably equivalent to a 1780 or something. So then, i retook the SAT focusing on my strengths (math + writing, i am hopeless in CR) and i was able to maximize my math and writing scores and balance it with my low reading score (a low reading score for me is 470-520, i got exactly 500)

OK CR=500

Low Math=410

Writing=500

 

[Cass]

You might get in with a 22. You should get in with a 27. Thats the difference.

A 22 is really average. A 27 is above average.

Now scholarships... Thats a different story.

 

[MilkmanAl]

A 22 is really average. A 27 is above average.

It sounds like a 22 isn't average at all. In fact, it'd be 25th percentile if the median 50% is 22-27. You're spot on otherwise, though. Being that low on the totem pole means there are a ton of people who'll get consideration before you, Jeff.

I have to ask why you're so concerned about getting a 22, though. Was that your score on practice tests? Do you not think you can do any better than that?

 

[CScull]

Gah.

I hate 27s. It means you're smart, but you're not quite smart enough to get a scholarship, sorry. pft.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Gah.

I hate 27s. It means you're smart, but you're not quite smart enough to get a scholarship, sorry. pft.

🙁

 

[glowworm]

Most people say the ACT is easier, but to me it was harder than the sat. act math is probably easier, but you have so little time to do each problem that i was more comfortable with the sat math.

and science....have you looked at the science sections? they might be easy enough with endless time, but with 35 minutes for 40 questions, i barely had time to read the questions, much less the explanatory paragraphs. if you happen to have done/read about the experiments they give you on the test, you will be fine, but otherwise...

try the act, since most people do better on it...but its still not a guaranteed good score.

 

[Maygyver]

Might as well take both and see which you do better on. I did about the same on both. I think they were both around the same difficulty when I took them, but I didn't study for them so I can't give you any pointers as far as how to study for them. Either way, you really need to work on your math and figure out why you do so poorly in it.

 

[huskerdye]

There is no stupid vocab on the ACT. You do not get points off for wrong questions. There is Math, English, and science. I scored high on the English on the SAT and poor on the math. The ACT also has science so I figure that I should do better on the ACT.

Seems to me you answer your own questions..

Where I'm from most schools only require the ACT, they could care less about the SAT..

Anyway, ACT is composed of four sections.. English, Math, Reading, Science

The english is all basically grammar.. There are 75 questions and I believe you get 45 minutes to take that portion of the tests.. I scored a 26 on English.. It is basically all grammar, (pronouns, prepositions, understanding passages, changing words) no vocabulary at all really.. It will however ask you what a word in a passage means.

The math is 60 questions, and you get 60 minutes to take that portion.. I scored a 34 on the Math, but a 29 and above is the top like 8% of the country I believe.. So I wouldn't call it easy.. Math has always been my best subject. Most of the questions will be about algebra and geometry, there are also 4 trig questions.. I found the math test starts out pretty easy.. But once you get to about question 35-40 it gets very difficult. You also have to know the formulas for the ACT

The reading is 40 questions in 35 minutes with 4 passages... I got a 30 on Reading and you really need to find a system by taking practice tests otherwise you'll do horrible on the real thing.

The science is 40 questions in 35 minutes.. I think the science is the hardest part of the test.. I got like a 26-28 on it if I remember right, but it was from mostly guessing.. You'll find charts, data, hypothesis.. It's pretty difficult and it's basically a technical reading test..

I don't know what the SAT is like, but I'm sure there almost the same in difficulty otherwise schools would ask for the most difficult one..

Take it and find out how easy you think it is.

The

 

[glowworm]

Seems to me you answer your own questions..

Where I'm from most schools only require the ACT, they could care less about the SAT..

Anyway, ACT is composed of four sections.. English, Math, Reading, Science

The english is all basically grammar.. There are 75 questions and I believe you get 45 minutes to take that portion of the tests.. I scored a 26 on English.. It is basically all grammar, (pronouns, prepositions, understanding passages, changing words) no vocabulary at all really.. It will however ask you what a word in a passage means.

The math is 60 questions, and you get 60 minutes to take that portion.. I scored a 34 on the Math, but a 29 and above is the top like 8% of the country I believe.. So I wouldn't call it easy.. Math has always been my best subject. Most of the questions will be about algebra and geometry, there are also 4 trig questions.. I found the math test starts out pretty easy.. But once you get to about question 35-40 it gets very difficult. You also have to know the formulas for the ACT

The reading is 40 questions in 35 minutes with 4 passages... I got a 30 on Reading and you really need to find a system by taking practice tests otherwise you'll do horrible on the real thing.

The science is 40 questions in 35 minutes.. I think the science is the hardest part of the test.. I got like a 26-28 on it if I remember right, but it was from mostly guessing.. You'll find charts, data, hypothesis.. It's pretty difficult and it's basically a technical reading test..

I don't know what the SAT is like, but I'm sure there almost the same in difficulty otherwise schools would ask for the most difficult one..

Take it and find out how easy you think it is.

The

👍 good summary

 

[EyEnStein 07]

🙁

Jefgreen,

realize that students who receive a 22 score on the ACT and get into UK probably have a higher GPA than those who score 27's on the ACT and get into UK.

Also from collegeboard, i see the range is from 500-620 in both sections. thats a huge range, kind of. There is clearly a difference in the caliber of students that score 1000/1600 on the SAts and 1240/1600 on the Sats.

I dont think you should worry much, and UK will accept you given you have a good PStatement, a nice set of EC's, and keep in contact with your regional admissions councelor (yes you have one, call the undergrad office of admissions, and ask who is in charge of ur highschool...you want to be in contact with this person). Dont be afraid to make the calls, it will only help you granted you ask questions that are meaningful when you need something answered.

 

[rubybird]

I took the SAT because in the NE (where I'm from) its more popular, but I was tempted by the ACT as science is my forte. If you're good at science, I'd recommend it. Technically, the ACT is supposed to measure you on what you've learned...not your "reasoning." So if your not a "math person" but you study the material like a maniac, you might to much better on the ACT math. This article has a pretty good break-down of the differences between the two-tests. Good luck!

 

[Algophiliac]

Most people say the ACT is easier, but to me it was harder than the sat. act math is probably easier, but you have so little time to do each problem that i was more comfortable with the sat math.

and science....have you looked at the science sections? they might be easy enough with endless time, but with 35 minutes for 40 questions, i barely had time to read the questions, much less the explanatory paragraphs. if you happen to have done/read about the experiments they give you on the test, you will be fine, but otherwise...

try the act, since most people do better on it...but its still not a guaranteed good score.

ACT math was much easier, imo, and I suck at math. 😀 I didn't find the science section to be that difficult at all, but the critical reading section on the ACT was more difficult than on the SAT, so I guess it's up to you.

What I loved most was the ability to play around with my time as I liked on the ACT as opposed to the tiny little timed sections on the SAT that just didn't jive with my testing mechanisms.

You already took the SAT and don't seem to be improving, so just take the ACT.

 

[Styria]

2400? When did 1600 stop being the highest possible score on the SAT? Is it curved based on a new mean different from 1,000 now too?

 

[Kruton]

Having never taken the SAT, I think you should give the ACT a try at least. I believe the ACT tests DIFFERENT (not necessarily easier) math, so you may do better. While I don't think the overall test is easier, I do believe it is more fair. Give it a shot. Who knows what will happen.