ACT or SAT

[Memphis Bleek]

Since I'm about to take the SAT and ACT I was wondering which you felt was harder if you have taken both. I have taken the PSAT and also want to inquire was it to you a good gauge of how well you would score on SAT.

[Jimmy Kustes]

SAT is easier. Now for my shpel...


SAT is half Math and half English, each answer right is one point and 1/4 point off for each wrong answer.

ACT is 25% English, 25% Reading, 25% Science Reading, and only 25% Math, each answer right is one point, while there are no points off for wrong answers.

Okay with that explaination it sounds like the ACT is easier, especially if you are good at English/Reading with 75%.

HAHA! it ain't THAT obvious! People are going to spend the money on the one that gets them the higher scores! Duh! That's why the ACT looks easy: so they can get money!

But it has to be valid and reliable; colleges aren't going to give scholarships away if everyone gets high scores! That means it would be impossible for most people to "guess" their way to a high score. The ACT also gives you less time for the sections: the English part has 75 questions in 45 minutes!

It all matters on what college you are going to...

Midwest: They only like the ACT. Tough Luck. Ethier pay your way in or get 27 or above for a scholarship.

Expensive schools outside of the Midwest: Take the SAT. Get about a 1300 (which isn't easy but is easier than a 27 ACT) and you get a scholarship. Or pay your way in.

[Barb Gordon]

I only took the SAT I, but I found it pretty easy, it was too difficult. Having a good SAT or ACT score will be good if perhaps you're GPA isn't that high. But that alone wont get you into college. You should really make sure to have a pretty nice essay for back up, just in case someone else has an application like yours. You know, similar GPA and test scores and same amount of extracurricular activities, if any. A sharp essay can help you pull out in front when it comes down to who they should pick. My GPA is quite nice, my SAT was average, I have loads of extracurricular activities, and a really nice essay. All of those helped me to get to all the colleges I applied to, and even get scholarships from two and accepted with honors for the third. Anyhoo, I also took the PSAT in my Junior year. I did about average, or even a little below perhaps. For some people I guess it can help guage how they'll do on the SAT, but for me it didn't. My score was much better on my SAT than one might have thought looking at my PSAT score.

Barb^-^

[Ruffian]

I'm from California, and SAT is what people focus on. You don't really hear about people taking the ACT, but there are a handful that do. I didn't find them easy, and somewhat challenging. My verbal skills suck. But I got a good score anyhow.

I took the PSAT before the SAT. For me, no it wasn't a good indicator. My PSAT score was significantly lower than my SAT score by about 250 points. It was a disappoint for me and I was so scared to take the real thing which was two weeks later.

Good Luck! :)

[Lucky Bob]

I took the ACT, it was better for someone like me who doesn't have math as a stong suit. I made a 21 in math when all was said and done. :o However, my average score for all subjects was 28, so hey, I'm not complaining!

Just remind me never to study rocket science!

[Nightflower]

They don't have either of those in Canada. :P However, you can request to take them if you want to go to a school in the States.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I only took the ACT, so I can't really help you out. I didn't find it too tough. The best advise I can give is don't go into the test like it's the most important thing for the future. Remember, your grades and your essays will weigh as heavily (if not more heavily) than you test scores.