Deciding ACT vs SAT

[Anonymous]

Please help me understand why one test is chosen over the other. I heard that with extra time take the ACT otherwise SAT is better. But also ACT is more math based? Is that right? Need help for a kid who doesn’t get extra time
But is a slow test taker.

[Anonymous]

They should do a practice test of each and see if they do much better and one than the other.

Prep1on1.com will do this diagnostic for you for free. Both of our kids ended up decided to use their tutoring services (not gonna lie, $$$), but kids got 35 and 34 on ACT, and both are in at the colleges they wanted to be at

[Anonymous]

My kid took both the PSAT and PreACT and did better on the PSAT, so he’s sticking with the PSAT.

[Anonymous]

Take whichever you are best at. Practice tests will determine. Many kids have a noted preference / difference in skill

[Anonymous]

Tu only way to decide is to take a practice of both. The f there is a clear winner, go for that. If it’s basically a tie, hose whichever one the kid preferred.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tu only way to decide is to take a practice of both. The f there is a clear winner, go for that. If it’s basically a tie, hose whichever one the kid preferred.

This, and if time/money allow, then take both — and either report the better score or (if very similar) both scores.

[Anonymous]

ACT better if weaker in math because math is only 1/4 of the score. The other 1/4 is the science section which is more akin to reading comprehension of science experiments, not much actual math.

ACT moves faster, more questions per minute. But questions tend to be a little shorter and less complex.

Yes, take diagnostic test of each to determine preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please help me understand why one test is chosen over the other. I heard that with extra time take the ACT otherwise SAT is better. But also ACT is more math based? Is that right? Need help for a kid who doesn’t get extra time
But is a slow test taker.

Do have them try one of each, as the others suggested. The prediction would be that this kid may score better on the SAT, though that is only a rough guess.

[Anonymous]

The ACT is a little easier but it's faster. The SAT is a little harder but it's slower. Take a timed practice test in each and then decide which one to focus on.

[Anonymous]

DC took mock tests in both and thought the SAT was easier but less forgiving if you make a mistake. Got 36 in ACT (despite 1-2 errors in a couple of sections) versus 1540 on SAT (with 1 error on verbal and 2 on math)