Sat v. Act

cubanochico · 06-30-2012, 02:18 AM

Most colleges make the claim that ACT and SAT are viewed equally.

However, is a 2340 really viewed in the same light as a 35 on the ACT? It appears based on results threads that this isn't the case.

What does everyone else think?

cc2468 · 06-30-2012, 04:08 AM

It is much easier to score a 35 on the ACT than a 2340 on the SAT. Part of this is due to the fact that SAT's critical reading is way harder than ACT's measly reading/writing. IMO, while the general consensus among students is that ACT is much harder than SAT, colleges don't acknowledge the difference in difficulty. Colleges view them the same, but I personally think that a score in the 2300+ range on the SAT is much more impressive.

Gracefully · 06-30-2012, 04:54 PM

As a math/science person I view the ACT as considerably easier than the SAT, since the split between english/lit and math/science is even. Conversely, on the SAT, it is 2/3rds english/lit and only 1/3 math.

Basically because there's science on the ACT that helps me out. A lot. For reference, I scored a 34 on my ACT but I got a 199 on the PSAT.

Assume that colleges will view the SAT and the ACT in the same light. Some students find the SAT easier, whereas others find the ACT easier. Figure out what works with you.

cheerioswithmilk · 06-30-2012, 06:19 PM

Personally I feel that 2340 and 35 are both great scores that won't be seen differently. Like how a 2320 and a 2350 probably aren't a huge difference. So I think they are viewed equally.

I've only ever taken the SAT; my score was good enough that I decided not to take the ACT. IMO the SAT is fairly straightforward and easy to study for. A lot of people are naturally good at math, writing is very teachable, which leaves only CR to worry about. From what I've heard the SAT is also nicer timing wise. Best advice would be to take a practice test for each test and see which you are more comfortable with.

cubanochico · 07-01-2012, 04:41 AM

thanks for the input.

I got a 36 on the June ACT, but have a 2180 superscore (2160 single sitting)... I don't know whether or not to submit the SAT though, because even though it is very solid, it's not on the same level as my ACT score...

evanh14 · 07-01-2012, 04:53 AM

I, personally, view the ACT as much easier, but I'm not sure about colleges. I don't like the format of the SAT that much, and view it as a more difficult test. I haven't taken it, but my ACT and PSAT scores show it. 36 on the ACT at the end of my sophomore year, and 203 on the PSAT at the beginning of my sophomore year

cc123sb · 07-01-2012, 09:49 AM

A 35=2340.

I think students perceive the ACT to be much easier since there's nothing to study for. On the ACT, you have to study the test itself. Your practice score probably won't go up (or down) by more than a few points after you familiarize yourself with the test.

However, the SAT has studyable (for lack of a better word) content. Studying the writing section, CR vocab, and 8th/9th grade math can improve your score significantly.

So for a lazy student (who doesn't feel like studying), the ACT is usually the better choice. For a motivated student who has 50 free hours on his/her hand, the SAT is probably the better choice.

ameliab12 · 07-01-2012, 01:01 PM

I didn't study for either and thought the ACT was easier (though I really enjoy taking the SAT for some reason!), but got the same exact score according to charts (2340/35).

emberjed · 07-01-2012, 05:03 PM

I've taken both, and honestly I didn't think the ACT was any easier. I found them to be of about the same difficulty. Granted, I scored a little better on my ACT than on my SAT (34 vs. 2230), but that's not a large difference. From my experience, the SAT has somewhat trickier problems (particularly in the Critical Reading section) but the ACT has stricter time constraints. Which one you'll do better on depends on what kind of student you are.