paulfoerster

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? My SAT scores are pretty bad, but I'm a really good student and have a great memory

lildude3077

In My opinion, the questions on the ACT are more simple and easier to understand.
However, you are given far less time to complete them. You have to be continually moving.

English- 45 Minutes for 75 questions.
Math- 60 Minutes for 60 Questions
Reading- 35 Minutes for 40 Questions
Science- 35 Minutes for 40 Questions

If you pause for a minute, especially in reading and science, you're dead meat. On the SAT, you're usually given more than a minute a question, so if you zone out, it's still bad, but not as bad.

I add that memory would probably help you out more on the SAT, which tests rote memorization of vocabulary. You don't really need to memorize anything for the ACT.

nichols08

Its very worth it to give it a try!

Take a practice test and see how it goes!

paulfoerster

how hard is the science part?

Twenty8

I think most people would agree that science is the hardest section to master; the time limit really makes it difficult.

Optimization

What does the science part cover? Biology? Phys science?

Twenty8

Honestly, it's been awhile since I took the test, but I *think* it's three sections (bio, chem, phy), but I'm not sure.

Like the other sections, though, the exam is meant to test skills more than knowledge acquisition. However, a basic understanding of the scientific principles of each of the aforementioned natural sciences is a big plus.

A lot of CCers say you should skip the passages, or skim them at best. Personally, I think you can read the whole thing fairly quickly, and still get through the problems faster than constantly going back and forth searching for details.

dhuang90

Are you guys kidding me? Not to be arrogant or anything, but I thought Science was the easiest section, even easier than math. I mean, you do not need any prior knowledge, and all you have to do is read the question carefully, refer to the charts/figures, and theres the answer! Easy stuff, don't worry about it. Reading is defintely the hardest section.

tennisgal89

I've never heard of anyone doing better on the SAT than the ACT. I do a lot better on the ACT, and I personally think it's an easier test. Also, I think more stupid people take the ACT.

collegebond78

do ivies prefer the sat over the act?

FootballPlayer

ACT makes my head hurt less.

wildfandango23

I personally thought the ACT was a lot easier, and I did a lot better on it (32 vs. 1280). The science is the most confusing even though it really ends up just being data/graph analysis. I'd advice to skip the passage and then go back and look for the answers, but that's just me.

tux08902

I'm taking the ACT instead as well. My SAT scores are garbage.

My counselor explained it to me this way. The ACT covers harder material, but doesn't try to trick you. The questions are worded in a straightforward way and it's a predictable test since it hardly varies from one month's test to the next. On the other hand, the SAT is basically a strategy test. If you know the test, then you'll do fine. She was cold though; she's like if you can't master it in the first three or four practice tests (see a good improvements) then you won't do well period.

davnasca

The Sci. section is a gift from God! Easy way (for me at least) to raise your composite. Now, the math section... personally I find it to be a *****!

tux08902

I've noticed that the science section is the easiest section as well. The math section is a lot tougher than the SAT math. That's a bit discouraging, but if you've taken higher math classes, then you really shouldn't have trouble with the material; only the time, as with all ACT sections, should cause problems.