Which Test Should I Take in my Situation?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I am currently a freshman at Villanova University. Next year, I plan on applying to UPenn SEAS as a transfer student.</p>

<p>As of now, my ACT/SAT scores are below average for Penn students. I have a 27 ACT (which I took as a senior) and a 1680 SAT (which I took as a sophomore).</p>

<p>My question is which test should I take?</p>

<p>The reason I didn’t bother taking the SAT after my sophomore year is because I am bad at reading comprehension and memorizing vocabulary, but who knows maybe things changed a little…</p>

<p>If I take the ACT, how should I prepare? I already took all the practice tests in the Red Book, so are there other good prep books I could use?</p>

<p>If I take the SAT, how should I prepare? I am pretty good at math (got an A in Calc this semester), it’s just I am pretty bad at reading (slower reader plus my reading comprehension/vocabulary memorization is bad). The one time I took it, I got like a 550 on the reading section. How could I improve upon this? </p>

<p>Whichever test I take, it will be on June. I will have a month to prepare, and can only choose 1 test.</p>

2

<p>Research more on the tests and what kinds of “thinkers” whose advantages they highlight and then chose the test whose “thinkers” you identify more with.</p>

<p>Taken verbatim from the ACT’s website: “The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.”</p>

<p>But that’s not the end of it. Each test works to the advantage of different people. For example, if you find the ACT’s long sections problematic, then you should stick to the SAT, which has shorter sections.</p>

<p>To prepare, buy prep books and become as familiar with the test that you chose as possible. That is what will make the biggest difference - knowing what to expect. Research strategies and find out which ones work for you best by taking practice tests.</p>

3

<p>^^Thanks for the response!</p>

<p>I don’t think I will have time to experiment which test will be best suited for me because I will be back in college in a week.</p>

<p>Does anyone else have any advice for me?</p>