ACT vs. SAT

[minniebeth]

Can someone help out a rookie? I am familiar with the SAT test and scores.
The ACT test is unfamiliar to me and I'm wondering how they compare and or contrast. Why do some states use one over the other?
DS is a freshman in HS and just took the PLAN test, kind of like a PSAT. I'm reading the results page and understand it statistically but want to understand it real world, kwim?
I understand that most who take the PLAN test are sophomores and not sure why he would take it as a freshman.

What are considered good ACT scores? What do colleges want to see on them? Is it possible to improve scores as high schoolers develop?

Thanks!!

 

[Christine]

Most public universities say that the lowest ACT score they will take is a 21. I would consider 26 to be a truly good, decent score although that doesn't mean that 24 is bad, KWIM.

I don't the differences in the two tests but it has a lot to do with how the information is arranged in the test and types of questions. My DD did much better on the ACT than the SAT and she much preferred the test although she felt that the science portion of the ACT was much more indepth than the it was on the SAT.

I've never heard of the PLAN test but freshman in our area take the PSAT.

 

[missypie]

If you google something like "ACT SAT comparison" there are lots of online charts that shows how an ACT score compares to an SAT score.

36 is perfect
most upper tier state schools want to see at least the mid-20s
28 is good
you need around a 32 to get into the selective schools

(vast generalizations, but you get the idea)

Princeton Review does this thing where they come to the schools and for $10 give a sample of both and then tell you if they think you'd do better on the ACT or the SAT.

Come chat with us on collegeconfidential.com The parents are great!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know the difference.

I do know that my brother is not the best of students and couldn't get an acceptable score on the SAT for college admission. He had heard that the ACT was a bit better (in what way, I am not sure as I hesitate to say it is "easier"). And that is what he used to get into college (and he did graduate despite his difficulties).

I never took the ACT myself. I had never really heard of it and didn't share the test struggles that my brother had.

 

[allison443]

Both the ACT and the SAT are used for college admissions. The are administered by two different private companies. In the past the ACT was mainly taken by students from the midwestern states. Some colleges required the SAT and wouldn't accept the ACT.

Now, however, both the SAT and the ACT are accepted by all colleges and universities in the US. Students all over have started taking the ACT.

We are in NJ. Everyone has always taken the SAT but more each year also take the ACT. They are two different kinds of tests, test different strengths, etc. Different kids do better on different kinds of tests, iykwim?

If you google SAT/ACT score comparison you can find a chart which "converts" the scores.

Example, my dd (a senior last year) did well on the SAT but scored the same the second time. She then took the ACT twice and ended up with a really good score for the schools she was applying to. Also, she applied to nine schools in the northeast/midatlantic region and only sent her ACT score. I was worried they might have a preference for the SAT, but no problems and it worked!!

Hope this helps somewhat.

 

[snykymom]

The ACT is organized differently than the SAT. The formats of the questions and their focus is different. The essay (if they took it with writing) is more of an opinion essay than a factual one. The science section doesn't really require science knowledge; it's more one of knowing how to read graphs.

Every school now considers either the ACT or the SAT I. Some schools will take the ACT in lieu of SAT IIs as well. It used to be a regional thing, that East Coast and West Coast schools preferred the SATs and Midwest schools preferred the ACT. That's not true any more.

Just because of the way the tests are organized and the types of questions asked, many kids do better on one than the other.

You may want to check out www.talk.collegeconfidential.com for college-related discussions. Kind of like a DISBoards for college.

 

[bballmom56]

My son took both the SAT and ACT and his scores were the same based on the comparison charts. There are many colleges and universities that are also SAT/ACT optional meaning that an applicant does not have to submit scores.

Definitely visit collegeconfidential.com discussion boards now as your son is a freshman. You can get tons of advice about the college process.

 

[golfgal]

ACT is more comprehensive as it tests English, math, science, social science and writing skills. The SAT only tests math and writing. On the ACT each section is broken out into a score and you get a composite score. Like others have said 36 is a perfect score, most Ivy League type schools won't look at you unless you post a 33 or better, highly selective schools like to see a 30 or better, really good regional schools like a 26 or better, state schools look for 21 or better.

They have or will soon have a new SAT that is a little more comprehensive but still not as much as the ACT.

 

[bballmom56]

The SAT only tests math and writing.

No, the SAT has 3 sections - Math, Critical Reading (what they used to call "Verbal") and writing. There are also many colleges that don't consider the SAT writing score in admissions decisions, they just look at the Math and CR.

 

[golfgal]

No, the SAT has 3 sections - Math, Critical Reading (what they used to call "Verbal") and writing. There are also many colleges that don't consider the SAT writing score in admissions decisions, they just look at the Math and CR.

Ok, that is the "new" version I was talking about. The SAT used to only have the 2 sections. Hardly anyone around here takes the SAT because it isn't as comprehensive and most colleges prefer the ACT.

 

[AshleyW]

Ok, that is the "new" version I was talking about. The SAT used to only have the 2 sections. Hardly anyone around here takes the SAT because it isn't as comprehensive and most colleges prefer the ACT.

Same here - I don't know anyone that I went to high school with that took the SAT. We ALL took the ACT.

I got a 29 on my ACT and I consider it a good score - not great, but good. It was good enough to get some kind of award when I was in high school, but I couldn't get any high score based scholarships. I have a friend who scored a 31 and she did get some scholarship money based on her score.

 

[tar heel]

Ok, that is the "new" version I was talking about. The SAT used to only have the 2 sections. Hardly anyone around here takes the SAT because it isn't as comprehensive and most colleges prefer the ACT.

I assume you mean colleges in your area. The SAT is the standard in our part of the country.

 

[golfgal]

I assume you mean colleges in your area. The SAT is the standard in our part of the country.

That may be the case but even kids that apply to colleges outside of the area take the ACT and have no issues with that. We have a lot of kids from our high school go to places like MIT, Notre Dame, Harvard, Stanford, etc. and the ACT has been fine for them.

 

[tar heel]

At UNC-Chapel Hill, more than 96% of applicants submit an SAT score. A little over a third also submit an ACT score.

 

[Bluestars]

My son took it for the first time last year in 7th grade. I spoke with his math teacher and explained what his goals were and she told us to choose the ACT instead of the SAT. I guess he'll take the ACT from now on. I still don't know which one would be better for him.

 

[golfgal]

My son took it for the first time last year in 7th grade. I spoke with his math teacher and explained what his goals were and she told us to choose the ACT instead of the SAT. I guess he'll take the ACT from now on. I still don't know which one would be better for him.

It doesn't really matter, colleges take either and it is a small part of the selection process. People get too worked up about the college selection process I think. Colleges know what they are looking for and which demographics they want to fill, if your child meets that they will get in, if not, it isn't because they took the ACT vs the SAT or that they were on the football team vs the basketball team.

DS14 wants to go to Notre Dame, we encourage him to be involved, get good grades, etc. but when it really comes down to it a white boy from the midwest suburbs is going to have a more difficult time getting in then a kid from the Bronx (all other things equal) or from Podunk, Kansas for that matter.

 

[Bluestars]

It doesn't really matter, colleges take either and it is a small part of the selection process. People get too worked up about the college selection process I think. Colleges know what they are looking for and which demographics they want to fill, if your child meets that they will get in, if not, it isn't because they took the ACT vs the SAT or that they were on the football team vs the basketball team.

DS14 wants to go to Notre Dame, we encourage him to be involved, get good grades, etc. but when it really comes down to it a white boy from the midwest suburbs is going to have a more difficult time getting in then a kid from the Bronx (all other things equal) or from Podunk, Kansas for that matter.

My son has dreams of going to Harvard. I will never crush his dreams and tell him it is probably not going to happen, but I have told him he needs to choose several schools and not get his hopes up for just one. I have told him that he will need to get involved and study hard.

Thanks for the information on the tests. I hate making decisions like that and then second guessing myself.

 

[tar heel]

Bluestars -- the student needs to submit the score the college prefers. If the school's website doesn't list a preference, look at the freshman class profile. If 96% of students submit the SAT, then I think it would be a good idea to follow suit. If my youngest decided to go to school in Minnesota, he would take the ACT.

While it's true that some schools don't look at test scores, that isn't the case at most selective schools. As inprecise as they are, they do provide a way to judge among students who went to very different high schools.

My alma mater has a section on its admissions website for middle school students and one for high school freshmen and sophomores. It's a state university, but admission is highly selective. You might look for that kind of information for schools that seem logical for your son.

 

[Bluestars]

Bluestars -- the student needs to submit the score the college prefers. If the school's website doesn't list a preference, look at the freshman class profile. If 96% of students submit the SAT, then I think it would be a good idea to follow suit. If my youngest decided to go to school in Minnesota, he would take the ACT.

While it's true that some schools don't look at test scores, that isn't the case at most selective schools. As inprecise as they are, they do provide a way to judge among students who went to very different high schools.

My alma mater has a section on its admissions website for middle school students and one for high school freshmen and sophomores. It's a state university, but admission is highly selective. You might look for that kind of information for schools that seem logical for your son.

Thanks for the information tar heel. I want to start preparing now. I didn't realize that there was information for middle school students on some of the websites. I will definitely take a look at it.

 

[punkin]

Most schools do not have a preference, but checking each individual school is your best bet. I believe almost every single college in the country will take either one.