<p>Today, I found out that my mom signed me up for the Dec. ACT test, which is… next week. I’m guessing it was for scholarship opportunities or something to that nature. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the test itself. I’ve never taken a practice test, and I have no idea what materials are covered in it. However, I’ve heard that it was much easier than the SAT (is this a myth?), which I scored really well on, and that the topics are all based on what we have learned in school. </p>
<p>My question is- is this a test that requires a lot of preparation and studying? Or is it more of a “common sense” kind of test, where a semi-intelligent individual could probably “reason” his way to a good score? </p>
<p>I am aiming for a 30+ btw, and any input would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Go to ACT website ‘Test Prep’ to find a PDF of the following:</p>
<p>A free student preparation booklet available from most high schools and colleges—includes test information, complete practice tests with scoring keys, and a writing prompt with sample essays.</p>
<p>This will give you an idea of what to expect.</p>
<p>At least take the practice test so that you can familiarize yourself with the test. I’ve never studied for the ACT aside from practice tests, and I got a 34 this past September. As for it being easier than the SAT, it seriously depends on the person. I do know people who scored higher on the SAT than on the ACT.</p>
<p>I was familiar with the test, like the type of questions asked and everything, but I didn’t really prep. I got a 30. My friend got a 33 under the same circumstances.</p>
<p>didnt prep at all for ACT first time and got a 33. Was busy studying for SAT, which was the week before, and i got a 2190 on that. Sucks, cause i shoulda spent my time on the ACT instead.</p>
<p>To put it nicely, he definitely knew he was smart, and didn’t necessarily like people that much, so high school really wasn’t the place for him. Unfortunately, neither is many other social circumstances…like college…</p>
<p>From experience (though I had SAT preparation), I can confirm that, indeed, it is possible to walk in cold and score very well on the ACT. Nonetheless, preparing with practice tests is a good idea, meaning that you should prepare.</p>
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<p>Most people seem to find the ACT easier, though there is no general truth on the matter.</p>
<p>^Who are “most people”?
I sincerely hope you are not referring to the population of CC members. If so, they are not representative of the general population, a fact you very well know.</p>
<p>It’s also noted that even if most people find the ACT easier like silverturtle notes, there is no statistical correlation because no matter how much each person thinks they prove the rule that “ACT is easier than SAT” the national average still holds true in proving that they are equally on the same level and test the same benchmark of preparation otherwise no colleges would in their right mind take the ACT in place of the “harder” SAT if this was truly the case of difficulty.</p>
<p>I probably shouldn’t have stated this so absolutely. More specifically, I would say: My in-school peers who have taken both tests all found the ACT easier (keep in mind, though, that I live in an ACT-dominant area), and most (~75%, I would say) CC members’ opinions that I’ve read on the topic indicated that the ACT is easier. Now, even if the ACT is “easier,” g0ld3n is correct in pointing out that this does not necessarily translate to the idea that most will earn “better” scores on the ACT.</p>
<p>Easier in what sense? Like having more time would make the test easier? Not requiring an unnecessary amount of vocabulary? Not requiring the brute force memorization required to do well on the SAT?</p>
<p>^ In my opinion, “easier” in that the ACT requires lesser problem-solving and reasoning skills, though this is to some degree mitigated by my sense that the ACT was more difficult time-wise.</p>