SAT/SATIIs/ACT..very confused

LaLaLa12345 · 08-16-2007, 08:38 PM

so on the site it says you need to take the SAT and 2 subject tests OR the ACT plus writing..so if I've taken the ACT plus writing, does that mean I don't even have to take the SAT II subject tests to apply to Brown?

Sorry I posted this on a few other schools threads, but I really need to know asap
thanks =)

menloparkmom · 08-16-2007, 08:44 PM

Honey, if you can't figure this out on your own, then why are you applying to these colleges? Hint: OR means you have a CHOICE.

renix · 08-16-2007, 10:50 PM

^agreed

you dont have to take the sat if you take the act

LaLaLa12345 · 08-16-2007, 11:17 PM

jeez it was a simple question
I know that the ACT and SAT are pretty much interchangable.
.. but i just thought it was strange that ACT + writing could be a replacement for the SAT and 2 subject tests
correct?

franglish · 08-17-2007, 07:03 AM

The SAT and the ACT are not interchangeable. They are really different tests. The ACT has four different sections (language, math, science, history), plus optional writing section, and it lasts longer. The SAT has three main topics (math, language, essay). So the ACT is testing students on two extra topics which can be covered by SAT IIs if the student chooses to take those two. Some people feel that the ACT is more student-friendly than the SAT. On the other hand, it does not allow you to choose the SAT II topic in which you are strongest. Of course, you are still free to take whatever SAT II you would like to take, if any. Brown will look at and consider anything you send them. IMO it's a good idea (even though it's expensive and mind-numbing) to take a complete battery of tests because some schools want SAT II in addition to ACT or SAT I. (Brown is NOT one of these, as others have posted!) There is also a rumor out there that some schools actually prefer one over the other, although that is not at all substantiated. Don't limit your choices before you have really started the application part of the process.

renix · 08-17-2007, 11:16 AM

that has nothing to do with the topic at hand since we're talking about whether they are interchangeable at Brown not whether they are the same test....

franglish · 08-17-2007, 06:25 PM

They are not interchangeable. Not at Brown, not anywhere. They are different tests.

renix · 08-17-2007, 07:04 PM

how about exchangeable?

semantics ftw

daveb · 08-17-2007, 09:57 PM

Uh, they are interchangeable. You can use EITHER the SAT I w/ two SAT II subject tests, or the ACT+Writing. You do not NEED both to apply; one or the other is fine. They don't look at one as superior over another.

Still, if you have solid scores for both, submit both.

renix · 08-17-2007, 10:32 PM

ty dave...........

daveb · 08-18-2007, 12:25 AM

seriously, how hard is it to just read and understand whatever they say on the website?

"Brown requires every applicant for admission to Brown in 2006-2007 to submit results of either the SAT Reasoning Test and any two SAT Subject Tests (except for the SAT Writing Test), OR the ACT taken with the Writing Test option."

my my my, what could that possibly mean?

tetrisfan · 08-18-2007, 08:08 AM

Cool it with the sarcasm, guys

. (although I really am quite guilty of it myself!)

Man, if I get into Brown in the distaaaaaaaaaant future, I'm gonna love it.

Oops, randomly off-topic. But yeah, OR means a choice, dude.

franglish · 08-18-2007, 10:09 AM

YAY!! They are interchangeable in that either one can be used. Exchangeable is the right word! WHEWWWW. (No sarcasm intended. Just a problem of semantics.)

renix · 08-18-2007, 10:49 AM

totally lame to split hairs anyway