SAT or ACT: Best Chance

Hermit9
Wed, 24 Jun 2015 18:33:54 +0000

It’s cliché, I know, but I actually find myself in a pretty strange situation concerning whether my SAT or ACT has better potential. NOTE: I have not studied for anything yet.

Alright, so my SAT experience:

With PSAT sophomore year, I scored 61 in CR and W, and a 78 M for a 200(0).
Junior year PSAT, I did 57 CR, 71 M, and 78 W for a 206(0).
First SAT, I was 640 CR, 660 W, 740 M for a 2040/1380.
My second, most recent one was 680 W, 690 CR, 740 M and a 2110/1430.

ACT experience:

With ACT, I took PlanACT sophomore year, and only remember that I didn’t miss any on the Math Section. This year, I took one ACT, and got a 31 Composite, with 28 CR, 31 E and S, and 32 M.

Alright, so as you can see, my SAT scores are pretty screwed up. Between PSAT and two SAT’s this year, my second best section was different every time. With critical reading, my PSAT was atrocious. However, things improved for my first SAT, as I managed a 640, missing 17. With my recent 690, I only missed 18 total questions, 9 being on CR. So basically, my CR has improved from atrocious to mediocre, but I feel it will continue to improve. With math, my first 740 was a result of only 2 incorrect answers, proof that the math curve is pure evil. If I avoid careless errors, I can get 800 no problem. In writing, I feel a little grammar review could get my score up to about a 740 (78 PSAT was nothing short of a miracle), but my best essay has been only a 9. So lots of potential to get a 2220+ despite a very mediocre score, especially if I study.

With the ACT, I walked in having no idea what the test would be like. I finished the first 40 math questions in a half hour, and then started dicking around, not knowing that the difficulty was increasing as I progressed. I managed an OK score, but I should be able to get a 36 (which is what my PlanACT was equivalent to). English was a really weird format that I still need to adjust to. Science felt pretty good. With CR, I didn’t even get to read the last passage, and only skimmed the third one, hence the outlying score. I am very unfamiliar with the ACT, but with study and format adjustment, I think I can get a 34. One of my best friends just jumped from a 32 to a 35, and my SAT beats his considerably (I know the two are vastly different, but I still thought this was a valid point), so I’m hoping the ACT may be more friendly when I get to know it better.

Alright, so I’m taking both one more time. What I would like to know is which test you think I’ll do better on, and which sections/concepts I probably need to review before the upcoming exams. Also, I’d like to know if you think my desired score for each test is practical or hopeful.

Thanks.