ACT instead of SAT

[Anonymous]

DC has elected to take the ACT and three SAT 2 subject tests (Chem, Math, Language). Based on DC's research and comparison description of the two tests, the ACT is more compatible with DC's test taking interest (science and math). Some of DC's interest schools don't require subject tests, some do. So, DC needs to take the subject tests along with the ACT.

Also, ACT doesn't penalize for incorrect answers which can impact the test score. I personally think DC will do far better on the ACT than SAT.

Is there anyone else out there whose child is thinking along the same lines as my DC? Please share your impressions.

[Anonymous]

Test prep places will assess which is better for a student. I know plenty of students who've submitted ACTs.

[Anonymous]

From what I've read, colleges don't have any particular preferences as long as the criteria for additional subject tests is met.

There are plenty of kids who take and get accepted to Ivy schools with the ACT.

[Anonymous]

My son did significantly better on the ACT (34 vs. 1980). He wasn't vying for HYP, but did get into several top 25 universities, including Duke, by submitting his ACT. Perhaps your son could just do a 'dry run' of both and go from there.

[Anonymous]

Many kids try both. Both my kids did both. One did much better on the ACT and the other much better on the SAT.

[Anonymous]

Best way to find out is give your DC sample tests - one SAT using SAT Blue Book (by College Book) and one ACT from ACT Red Book and compare how your DC performs. These are real retired tests so it will give you a real good indicator on whether one test is preferred for your child.

Most schools will let you skip SAT II requirements if you submit ACT with writing (essay). I have three kids - one did equally well with both (36/2340); middle one was ACT kid (35/2150 or so); and third one (current HS senior) is another ACT (35/2230). Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best way to find out is give your DC sample tests - one SAT using SAT Blue Book (by College Book) and one ACT from ACT Red Book and compare how your DC performs. These are real retired tests so it will give you a real good indicator on whether one test is preferred for your child.

Most schools will let you skip SAT II requirements if you submit ACT with writing (essay). I have three kids - one did equally well with both (36/2340); middle one was ACT kid (35/2150 or so); and third one (current HS senior) is another ACT (35/2230). Good luck.

Did you submit both tests to the colleges? I would assume the colleges had no problem receiving both since the scores are both good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Best way to find out is give your DC sample tests - one SAT using SAT Blue Book (by College Book) and one ACT from ACT Red Book and compare how your DC performs. These are real retired tests so it will give you a real good indicator on whether one test is preferred for your child.

Most schools will let you skip SAT II requirements if you submit ACT with writing (essay). I have three kids - one did equally well with both (36/2340); middle one was ACT kid (35/2150 or so); and third one (current HS senior) is another ACT (35/2230). Good luck.

Did you submit both tests to the colleges? I would assume the colleges had no problem receiving both since the scores are both good.

I can't recall what we did with S1. It was a few years back (he is in grad school now) and he was our first one so we really didn't know how to navigate college process. My guess is he probably sent in both. With second one (college junior now), we used ACT. He studied for months and took the SAT twice but couldn't break 2200. Someone suggested ACT and with only one month of prep work, he was able to get 35. It was just so much easier for him. With DC3, we are still undecided but probably go with ACT and not use SAT of 2230. We were/are trying to get merit scholarship more so than admission to some big name schools. I always recommend to parents to find out early whether your kid is ACT or SAT type. For some kids, it really makes a big difference. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC has elected to take the ACT and three SAT 2 subject tests (Chem, Math, Language). Based on DC's research and comparison description of the two tests, the ACT is more compatible with DC's test taking interest (science and math). Some of DC's interest schools don't require subject tests, some do. So, DC needs to take the subject tests along with the ACT.

Also, ACT doesn't penalize for incorrect answers which can impact the test score. I personally think DC will do far better on the ACT than SAT.

Is there anyone else out there whose child is thinking along the same lines as my DC? Please share your impressions.

OP, I took both the ACT and SAT. My home state school system didn't test prep at all on SAT and I had no idea when I took it that you were penalized for incorrect answers; 12th grade me thought it was basically the Yankee version of the ACT where you are told to take a guess. Suffice it to say, I had a heart attack when I got the score back and realized my great ACT score did not translate at all to the SAT.

That said, my strongest subjects were English and Reading and I did really well on those sections of the ACT; I think I got either a 34 or 36 on reading and 35 on the English, but my science and math brought my score down a few points. I don't recall thinking that the SAT was more or less science and math oriented than the ACT. For obvious reasons, I do strongly prefer the ACT though where you aren't penalized for incorrect answers. I would just take sample tests and see how your kid does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Best way to find out is give your DC sample tests - one SAT using SAT Blue Book (by College Book) and one ACT from ACT Red Book and compare how your DC performs. These are real retired tests so it will give you a real good indicator on whether one test is preferred for your child.

Most schools will let you skip SAT II requirements if you submit ACT with writing (essay). I have three kids - one did equally well with both (36/2340); middle one was ACT kid (35/2150 or so); and third one (current HS senior) is another ACT (35/2230). Good luck.

Did you submit both tests to the colleges? I would assume the colleges had no problem receiving both since the scores are both good.

I can't recall what we did with S1. It was a few years back (he is in grad school now) and he was our first one so we really didn't know how to navigate college process. My guess is he probably sent in both. With second one (college junior now), we used ACT. He studied for months and took the SAT twice but couldn't break 2200. Someone suggested ACT and with only one month of prep work, he was able to get 35. It was just so much easier for him. With DC3, we are still undecided but probably go with ACT and not use SAT of 2230. We were/are trying to get merit scholarship more so than admission to some big name schools. I always recommend to parents to find out early whether your kid is ACT or SAT type. For some kids, it really makes a big difference. Hope this helps.

+1

[Anonymous]

DC will take the ACT by choice (also two SAT subject tests) because the ACT is more of an achievement measurement of what was learned in school versus SAT more aptitude.

While both tests are good academic indicators, I like the fact that students have a test choice. IMHO, neither choice means an inadequacy in ability, just more of a preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best way to find out is give your DC sample tests - one SAT using SAT Blue Book (by College Book) and one ACT from ACT Red Book and compare how your DC performs. These are real retired tests so it will give you a real good indicator on whether one test is preferred for your child.

Most schools will let you skip SAT II requirements if you submit ACT with writing (essay). I have three kids - one did equally well with both (36/2340); middle one was ACT kid (35/2150 or so); and third one (current HS senior) is another ACT (35/2230). Good luck.

oh, please those SAT scores are good and you know it. Hubble brag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Best way to find out is give your DC sample tests - one SAT using SAT Blue Book (by College Book) and one ACT from ACT Red Book and compare how your DC performs. These are real retired tests so it will give you a real good indicator on whether one test is preferred for your child.

Most schools will let you skip SAT II requirements if you submit ACT with writing (essay). I have three kids - one did equally well with both (36/2340); middle one was ACT kid (35/2150 or so); and third one (current HS senior) is another ACT (35/2230). Good luck.

oh, please those SAT scores are good and you know it. Hubble brag.

Sorry, if it came out that way. I didn't mean to brag. I have better things to do than bragging about my kids to total strangers using anonymous post... But if I sounded like that, I am sorry.

My point, however, is still valid (I think). If you want "big" (and I define "big" as anything more than "token" merit scholarship), your kiddo will need high scores than my kids SAT scores. If we were to send in S2 and D's SAT score instead of ACT, I am certain they won't get anything from UMD. The fact of matter is there are SOOOO many kids with high stats now days. My kids scores are good to get in, but not good for the money.

[Anonymous]

ACT was better for my DD. I would not trust test prep to tell me which one is better. My DD tried taking both tests and did much better on ACT so she studied for that and re-took it to improve her grade.

I heard that schools prefer ACT.

[Anonymous]

ACT is easier than SAT and the top schools prefer SAT although they accept both tests. Top students go with SAT and not even bother with ACT even though ACT is known to be easier.