11.04.09 | Ask Admissions Girl: SAT or ACT? Which test should I take?
Happy Wednesday everyone! This week we are talking about everyone’s favorite subject: standardized tests! Recently I was asked, “what are the differences between the SATs and the ACTs?” I realized that this is probably a question that a lot of high school students going through the college admissions process have.
The truth is that the SAT and the ACT are very different tests. Typically the ACT is described as a content-based test while the SAT is a test of critical thinking and problem solving.
The SAT is the standard college entrance exam and it consists of three sections; math, reading and writing. The first section is a written essay which takes 25 minutes and the last section is multiple-choice which takes 10 minutes. There are also six 25-minute sections and two 20-minute sections that can appear in any order.
The ACT is an entrance exam that covers English, math, reading and science. There is a multiple choice test for each subject as well as a 30-minute writing test.
The good news is that if you feel like you have strengths in one area or another you can choose which college entrance exam to take. However, it is important to make sure that the schools you are applying to accept the scores of the test you choose to take. No matter which test you plan on taking you should not cram the night before the exam. You should learn about how the test is set up and what the different test-taking strategies are, but you are really being tested on knowledge you have accumulated throughout your high school career. Finally, you should make sure you get a good night sleep before the test and eat a good breakfast the morning of the test so that your mind will be sharp and you will have the energy to get through it!
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ok, i personnal think the ACT is the better test, but i’ve got a ‘crazy’ suggestion. Do both of them. that way you know exactly what your strentghs and weaknesses are. If you have to choose, pick the one that’s format you find easiest to answer
November 4th, 2009 | #
I heard that due to the fact that the ACT has science, that it was easier than the SAT.
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I decided to take both but it ended up that the tests are a week apart.. Lucky Me
November 4th, 2009 | #
I WOULD TAKE THE ACT BECAUSE I HEARD THE SAT IS VERY CHALLENGING!!!!
November 4th, 2009 | #
I think I’m going to take them both…
November 4th, 2009 | #
I prefered the SAT.
November 4th, 2009 | #
No matter how important the ACT and the SAT may be for college entrance, they are just tests. They don’t define you, your personality, or even your intelligence. Some people are justnot good test takers but they are extremely inteligent and do well in school. Other people are excellent test takers and know how to guess, but they may not be good inschool. So do your best, but worry about it.
November 4th, 2009 | #
I think it is really important to ask your college that you are applying for to make the decision on which test to take. My college, Bob Jones University, only took ACT. So I didn’t have to pay for the SAT. Look into it and you might can save yourself some money!
November 4th, 2009 | #
I am a high school senior, and I have already taken the SAT’s once and I am about to take them again. Some people may see taking the SAT’s mutiple times as a waste of sed time, but I think that 2 times couldnt hurt. Now that I have a gage on what the test is really like I can focus more on the questions and not on how much time I have left. I didnt do bad on my first SAT’s but I know that I can do better. We will see! =D
November 4th, 2009 | #
Great question! I was thinking the exact same thing, and know that I know, since I want to pursue in acting, I just might take both. Back breaking, yes I know, but it will definitely help in the long run, I’m sure.
November 4th, 2009 | #
Although both the SAT and ACT tests are highly credited tests, i feel that it is best for students to opt for only taking the SAT. The SAT alone is a very important test that has the potential to determine any student’s future successes, so it should be the primary focus for students. The SAT is a standard college entrance exam that tests students on their reading, writing and math skills, which are key to being successful. In the ACT test, it involves reading, writing, math as well as science, which for most students may not be necessary.
November 4th, 2009 | #
SAT’s are much harder than ACT’s. I took the ACT’S twice and with that gained admission into the college I wanted to attend. With only my SAT scores, I did’nt have a chance.
November 4th, 2009 | #
This is very interesting
November 5th, 2009 | #
all this information was helpful. what test do you prefer the ACT or the SAT ?
November 5th, 2009 | #
all the information was helpful. do you prefer the ACT or SAT ?
November 5th, 2009 | #
I found this extremely useful
November 5th, 2009 | #
either way it goes you still have to study hard and stay focused :}
November 5th, 2009 | #
both tests are very important for college.
November 5th, 2009 | #
Which test displays more difficulty?
November 5th, 2009 | #
I liked the structure of the ACT- it suited me better….
November 5th, 2009 | #
I’m a junior in highschool and i plan to take the ACT and SAT.
November 5th, 2009 | #
depends on the college you would like to go to. Most school require that you take the SAT, then again many require both. So look at the colleges of your choice, and see which test you need to take in order to get in.
November 5th, 2009 | #
i think that this information is useful for what i am striving for in the future. I am planning to attend CaliforniaStateDominguezHills and with this information i feel strongly motivated to study and pass the ACT and SAT test.
November 5th, 2009 | #
I find both tests difficult!
November 6th, 2009 | #
it actually depends on what college you prefer on going to. but with my experience i have taken both the SAT and ACT and i believe that the ACT is nuch more easier to take.
November 6th, 2009 | #
There are two parts to the Sat, the reasoning and the subjects. You must take both and the ACT is just one test. You have to pay for the subjects and take it one day and pay for the other one and take it another day. There are feewaivers if you qualify
November 6th, 2009 | #
Yes. Eat breakfast is correct. You get very hungary.
November 6th, 2009 | #
they both stress you out!
November 6th, 2009 | #
I would recommend taking both the ACT and the SAT. Both cover the material in different ways and one may find that one test is more suited for them than the other. Personally, I took both because I wanted a backup in case I completely messed up one of the tests. Also, when you take both tests you don’t have to take SAT subject tests as colleges will accept the ACT in its place.
November 6th, 2009 | #
ACT vs. SAT the ultimate topic!
My friend, let’s call her Anna, and I discussed the two tests during our senior year of high school. Unlike me, Anna took both the SAT and ACT. I only took the ACT (with writing). We came to the conclusion that the SAT was a bias test measuring how smart you were in certain regulations. The ACT was more of a comprehension test.
Personally, I like the ACT. If I wanted to take the SAT I would have studied for at least two years. ACT I studied for a couple of months. It just depends on what you want to spend your time studying.
If you take the ACT (which is accepted on both the east and west coast) take it with writing.
NOTE: Just because you do poorly on the test it doesn’t mean you aren’t smart. Some people test better than others. What matters is how you do in school. School applications look more at your essays than anything now.
November 6th, 2009 | #
from personal experience i prefered the ACT, it is more like the TAKS test over at Texas….in other words it its very easy compared to the big words in the SAT.
November 7th, 2009 | #
I am going to take one or the other soon, some good things to think through.
November 7th, 2009 | #
I took the ACT in October for my first time. I learned that you really need to time your self. I only had time to finsih one section full.
November 7th, 2009 | #
I just took the ACT in october and i learned that you really need to time your self. I only had time to finish one section fully.
November 7th, 2009 | #
this is so great you guys thank you for the help on deciding which test to take.
November 7th, 2009 | #
Take both of them, because if you do all your doing is refreshing your mind for the information you will need in college. they may be challenging but why say no to it if it’s gonna help you later on in the future?
November 7th, 2009 | #
I took both, but I do think the ACT is better with its grading since their is a science section I think it just adds to your score. The SAT was a bit more challenging but its better to do it then not, it’s not like it can hurt you
November 7th, 2009 | #
It truly depends on the type of school you are applying to. In the West Coast, most schools seem to go by the SAT, rather than the ACT, which is mostly sought in the East Coast.
I’ve taken both of the tests and the SAT is much tougher, but that makes it no reason to shy away, colleges look for that type of ambition in kids. The ACT is a lot tougher to get a good score on because its on a much smaller scale.
Advice: Look into the test types that your dream college takes, or state colleges.
November 7th, 2009 | #
i liked the act more
November 7th, 2009 | #
yeah! great advice to a question that many high school kids were wondering about!
November 7th, 2009 | #
I took both the ACT and the SAT and did much better on the ACT. I took it three times and improved every time while on the SAT, I did better the first time and my scores went down a lot the second. I think it’s important to try both because you never know. Had I just taken the popular route and only taken the SAT, I would’ve ended up with a lower score by comparison.
November 8th, 2009 | #
I personally think that the SAT is easier. However, I did take both tests just to make sure. Its the best way to go about it because you can choose the Test you do better in. And if you decide to take the ACT you are not required to take SAT 2.
November 8th, 2009 | #
In my opinion its best to take both test because its a big challenge to do both.
November 8th, 2009 | #
Its a challenge to take both test so chellenge your self
..!
November 8th, 2009 | #
I preferred the ACT, but I would suggest high school juniors/seniors to take both at least once .
November 8th, 2009 | #
I think you should take both. the sat has been really hard for me to get the scores for the college of my choice. im taking the act next month hoping it will be useful for me.
November 8th, 2009 | #
I say take both. The sat has been hard for me so hopfully the act will get me into the college of my choice
November 8th, 2009 | #
it depends on where you live, SAT is only needed for east cost i believe
November 8th, 2009 | #
ACT tests are much easier
November 8th, 2009 | #
the SAT is way better
November 8th, 2009 | #
i think it’s useful for me ,too.I took SAT yesterday and i think it’s so difficult.
November 8th, 2009 | #
When I first took the SAT Prep test I thought that maybe it wouldn’t be so hard but when I took the Real version…I did pretty well for my math and writing but the critical reading part was not a satisfaction….I plan to take the test over and try to study more but are the ACT really easier than the SAT?
November 8th, 2009 | #
I have taken them both, however, I am strong in English, and weak in the Mathematics section which test involves less mathematics?
November 8th, 2009 | #
I would take the SAT since when I took the ACT I did not do too good, but I did much better on the SAT
November 9th, 2009 | #
I took both of them and took the act twice.I was told that colleges outside of Michigan prefer the act so that is why i took the sat.
November 9th, 2009 | #
i havent taken the SAT yet im schedule for December 7, so this information would help me to prepare for the test next month.
November 9th, 2009 | #
I took the ACT, but the SAT shows that the person feels ready for college.
November 9th, 2009 | #
thanks for differentiating!
AAKWEEK2
November 9th, 2009 | #
Take both, it will be worth it in the end!
November 9th, 2009 | #
I’m not sure about the SAT because I’ve only taken the ACT, but they are not all that important. Sure they may have some influence, but there are other factors that come into play when applying to a college.
November 9th, 2009 | #
As a student that struggled through the same dilemma, I suggest you take the SATs and the ACTs. Take the SAT first to see if you do well. If you don’t do too well–like me–take the ACTs. My counselor told me students who are weak with SATs most likely improve on the ACTs. Low and behold, my ACT scores surpassed my performance on the SATs. Good luck!
November 9th, 2009 | #
Don’t worry. Do your best. It’s all a part of your personal journey, and everything will work out for you the way it is supposed to.
November 9th, 2009 | #
I wouldn’t now what to say since i only took the SAT and i really do not recommend just taking one test.
November 9th, 2009 | #
i think the act is better the sat is a little harder and it focuses more on reading and math act is all the subjects. alot of the schools dont take reading or if you know for a fact that the school doesnt take writing take the act
November 10th, 2009 | #
Do colleges consider your ACT more important than your SAT
November 10th, 2009 | #
Ihave taken the SAT and plan on taking the ACT soon.
November 10th, 2009 | #
Personally I think that you should take both, the SAT and the ACT to see which one better company you. Also I recently learned that the ACT is easier then the SAT.
November 10th, 2009 | #
If you are interested in attenting a west coast college then take the SAT but if a east, central, or north you will most likley want to take the ACT. BOth are good to take , i recommend taking both.
November 10th, 2009 | #
I REALLY DON’T LIKE EITHER ONE BECAUSE I HATE TAKING TESST
November 10th, 2009 | #
I think that both of them turn out to be useful so one can know what they are really good at or what they need to work on. Taking both tests is better
November 10th, 2009 | #
I am not sure
November 10th, 2009 | #
SAT
November 10th, 2009 | #
If you’re unsure of where you are going to college, it wouldn’t hurt to take both. A couple of my friends did that. But some colleges out west want the SAT and the ones more out east want the ACT, so it really depends.
November 10th, 2009 | #
I heard the ACT was easier but I haven’t taken it yet, just the SAT.
November 10th, 2009 | #
I prefer the ACT but i have taken both. I think ACT is much easier
November 10th, 2009 | #
Well..Me being a highschool senior i have already taken my SAT and am getting ready to take my ACT in December and personally the SAT was hell!!! I think i would rather take the ACT because im better at science but hopefully with the new SAT scoring i will b able to submit my test scores and get into the college i want.
November 10th, 2009 | #