High SAT vs High ACT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anxious helicopter parents on here handwringing over which test their anxious kids should take. Newsflash: there's no clear answer, and you're not gonna find one. Just take both and be done with it.

Man you are cool. I would pay big money to subscribe to your newsletter. Please leave some chicks for the rest of us though.

Say what you want. But you people are really ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Expensive Prep companies often recommend ACT so I think there is more advantage to “prep” that test since they are more straight forward but ultimately I’d let your kid decide. If they prefer one format over another- let them decide. Both tests are miserable but if one keeps their attention better it’s probably the better test for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s interesting. The ACT rewards speed, so it makes sense that it would reward those who read a lot (more than just what’s required for school).

Anecdotally, my DC did better on the ACT, which surprised me a bit, since math is not his strong suit, and I thought he’d benefit from having more time there. But it wasn’t even close.

My DC does conform to the hypothesis. He is a voracious reader — he’s currently reading a book on the history of the Ottoman Empire for fun, and knows as much about current events and politics as just about anyone I know (and I worked on Capitol Hill). He’s near the top of his class, but he’s not going to waste his time studying stuff he’s not interested in any more than he has to, so his grades aren’t perfect. That said, his teachers give him rave reviews, because “he’s always got something interesting to say.” I think he’s going to blossom in college when he gets to focus on things that he’s passionate about, and he’s going to be one of those kids that professors enjoy teaching.

So, one anecdote in favor of the theory, I guess.

This exactly describes my kids too.

Your kids are also reading about the Ottoman Empire for fun?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anxious helicopter parents on here handwringing over which test their anxious kids should take. Newsflash: there's no clear answer, and you're not gonna find one. Just take both and be done with it.

Man you are cool. I would pay big money to subscribe to your newsletter. Please leave some chicks for the rest of us though.

Say what you want. But you people are really ridiculous.

Stings to hear the truth instead of just slinging it, doesn't it, motorcycle boy? These other nice people who are simply trying to do the best for their kids won't say anything to you, but I am not a nice person, and not afraid to do it for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anxious helicopter parents on here handwringing over which test their anxious kids should take. Newsflash: there's no clear answer, and you're not gonna find one. Just take both and be done with it.

Man you are cool. I would pay big money to subscribe to your newsletter. Please leave some chicks for the rest of us though.

Say what you want. But you people are really ridiculous.

Stings to hear the truth instead of just slinging it, doesn't it, motorcycle boy? These other nice people who are simply trying to do the best for their kids won't say anything to you, but I am not a nice person, and not afraid to do it for them.

Ok, weirdo.

The idea that you think you can "sting" me with your "truth" is even more ridiculous than the other parents on this thread. I don't give a damn what some anonymous weirdo internet troll who thinks she's clever thinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I think it’s pick your poison. If your kid has fast processing speed probably ACT is better since questions are more straight forward if your kid is more of a slower but appreciates higher level critical thinking go with SAT.

DD doesn't have fast processing speed but did marginally better on the ACT. I was surprised that the faster-paced test would suit her, but it worked for her. She's a big reader so perhaps that helped. And by trying a practice test, I think she learned not to overthink the answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anxious helicopter parents on here handwringing over which test their anxious kids should take. Newsflash: there's no clear answer, and you're not gonna find one. Just take both and be done with it.

Man you are cool. I would pay big money to subscribe to your newsletter. Please leave some chicks for the rest of us though.

Say what you want. But you people are really ridiculous.

Stings to hear the truth instead of just slinging it, doesn't it, motorcycle boy? These other nice people who are simply trying to do the best for their kids won't say anything to you, but I am not a nice person, and not afraid to do it for them.

Ok, weirdo.

The idea that you think you can "sting" me with your "truth" is even more ridiculous than the other parents on this thread. I don't give a damn what some anonymous weirdo internet troll who thinks she's clever thinks.

You don't give a damn? Methinks thou doth protest too much.

Guess how a normal person shows they don't give a damn? By not responding at all. Which is what everyone except me did to your stupid "helicopter" comment.

But now I will join them in silence and leave you to fester in your cheeto-covered smug satisfaction down in Mom's basement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anxious helicopter parents on here handwringing over which test their anxious kids should take. Newsflash: there's no clear answer, and you're not gonna find one. Just take both and be done with it.

Man you are cool. I would pay big money to subscribe to your newsletter. Please leave some chicks for the rest of us though.

Say what you want. But you people are really ridiculous.

Stings to hear the truth instead of just slinging it, doesn't it, motorcycle boy? These other nice people who are simply trying to do the best for their kids won't say anything to you, but I am not a nice person, and not afraid to do it for them.

Ok, weirdo.

The idea that you think you can "sting" me with your "truth" is even more ridiculous than the other parents on this thread. I don't give a damn what some anonymous weirdo internet troll who thinks she's clever thinks.

You don't give a damn? Methinks thou doth protest too much.

Guess how a normal person shows they don't give a damn? By not responding at all. Which is what everyone except me did to your stupid "helicopter" comment.

But now I will join them in silence and leave you to fester in your cheeto-covered smug satisfaction down in Mom's basement.

DP. I’ll settle this debate: you’re both weirdos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]Which do you think my child should take? He's autistic, with learning disabilities[/b] in reading and writing. Very strong in math, and will take calculus Junior year. When he took the PSATs as a 9th grader (unscored), he said the reading comprehension was really, really hard, but the grammar and math sections were fine. He's already been approved for double time for the SATs and I assume will get the same for the ACTs.

We were told at our SN school that SN students do better on the ACT. So we did the ACT and both kids did extremely well. One (gifted/ADHD) decided to retake and got a 36.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which do you think my child should take? He's autistic, with learning disabilities in reading and writing. Very strong in math, and will take calculus Junior year. When he took the PSATs as a 9th grader (unscored), he said the reading comprehension was really, really hard, but the grammar and math sections were fine. He's already been approved for double time for the SATs and I assume will get the same for the ACTs.

The standard advice for those granted accommodations on both tests would be to take ACT. For those who could use a bit of extra time but do not have official extended time accommodations, SAT might be better. In all cases, a practice test, with whatever is the relevant timing for that person, can be tried at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s interesting. The ACT rewards speed, so it makes sense that it would reward those who read a lot (more than just what’s required for school).

Anecdotally, my DC did better on the ACT, which surprised me a bit, since math is not his strong suit, and I thought he’d benefit from having more time there. But it wasn’t even close.

My DC does conform to the hypothesis. He is a voracious reader — he’s currently reading a book on the history of the Ottoman Empire for fun, and knows as much about current events and politics as just about anyone I know (and I worked on Capitol Hill). He’s near the top of his class, but he’s not going to waste his time studying stuff he’s not interested in any more than he has to, so his grades aren’t perfect. That said, his teachers give him rave reviews, because “he’s always got something interesting to say.” I think he’s going to blossom in college when he gets to focus on things that he’s passionate about, and he’s going to be one of those kids that professors enjoy teaching.

So, one anecdote in favor of the theory, I guess.

This exactly describes my kids too.

Your kids are also reading about the Ottoman Empire for fun?

Yes, among other historical topics. They love history and geography and have been reading voraciously since elementary school. Different strokes, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which do you think my child should take? He's autistic, with learning disabilities in reading and writing. Very strong in math, and will take calculus Junior year. When he took the PSATs as a 9th grader (unscored), he said the reading comprehension was really, really hard, but the grammar and math sections were fine. He's already been approved for double time for the SATs and I assume will get the same for the ACTs.

The standard advice for those granted accommodations on both tests would be to take ACT. For those who could use a bit of extra time but do not have official extended time accommodations, SAT might be better. In all cases, a practice test, with whatever is the relevant timing for that person, can be tried at home.

I know, but for my kid that will be 12 hours of testing, plus breaks. I'm trying to avoid that if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s interesting. The ACT rewards speed, so it makes sense that it would reward those who read a lot (more than just what’s required for school).

Anecdotally, my DC did better on the ACT, which surprised me a bit, since math is not his strong suit, and I thought he’d benefit from having more time there. But it wasn’t even close.

My DC does conform to the hypothesis. He is a voracious reader — he’s currently reading a book on the history of the Ottoman Empire for fun, and knows as much about current events and politics as just about anyone I know (and I worked on Capitol Hill). He’s near the top of his class, but he’s not going to waste his time studying stuff he’s not interested in any more than he has to, so his grades aren’t perfect. That said, his teachers give him rave reviews, because “he’s always got something interesting to say.” I think he’s going to blossom in college when he gets to focus on things that he’s passionate about, and he’s going to be one of those kids that professors enjoy teaching.

So, one anecdote in favor of the theory, I guess.

This exactly describes my kids too.

Your kids are also reading about the Ottoman Empire for fun?

Yes, among other historical topics. They love history and geography and have been reading voraciously since elementary school. Different strokes, etc.

My son got hooked on the British East India Co. last year in World History. He read about it on his own and talked about it (and he rarely talks about school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which do you think my child should take? He's autistic, with learning disabilities in reading and writing. Very strong in math, and will take calculus Junior year. When he took the PSATs as a 9th grader (unscored), he said the reading comprehension was really, really hard, but the grammar and math sections were fine. He's already been approved for double time for the SATs and I assume will get the same for the ACTs.

The standard advice for those granted accommodations on both tests would be to take ACT. For those who could use a bit of extra time but do not have official extended time accommodations, SAT might be better. In all cases, a practice test, with whatever is the relevant timing for that person, can be tried at home.

I know, but for my kid that will be 12 hours of testing, plus breaks. I'm trying to avoid that if possible.

No for ACT it would be over three days (my son did this) it’s very reasonable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s interesting. The ACT rewards speed, so it makes sense that it would reward those who read a lot (more than just what’s required for school).

Anecdotally, my DC did better on the ACT, which surprised me a bit, since math is not his strong suit, and I thought he’d benefit from having more time there. But it wasn’t even close.

My DC does conform to the hypothesis. He is a voracious reader — he’s currently reading a book on the history of the Ottoman Empire for fun, and knows as much about current events and politics as just about anyone I know (and I worked on Capitol Hill). He’s near the top of his class, but he’s not going to waste his time studying stuff he’s not interested in any more than he has to, so his grades aren’t perfect. That said, his teachers give him rave reviews, because “he’s always got something interesting to say.” I think he’s going to blossom in college when he gets to focus on things that he’s passionate about, and he’s going to be one of those kids that professors enjoy teaching.

So, one anecdote in favor of the theory, I guess.

This exactly describes my kids too.

Your kids are also reading about the Ottoman Empire for fun?

Yes, among other historical topics. They love history and geography and have been reading voraciously since elementary school. Different strokes, etc.

My son got hooked on the British East India Co. last year in World History. He read about it on his own and talked about it (and he rarely talks about school).

And see, this is the kind of thing that the SAT/ACT will never measure. It's a complete shame that kids like this go unrecognized.
PP