Which is better to take, the ACT or SAT?

Question

I took the ACT this past summer, and made a 22 composite score. English-18(I need to bring that up), Math-24. Reading-27. Science-19

Answer 1

It's really personal preference.  I'm personally better with the ACT, because there are longer testing periods and fewer sections, unlike the SAT, which has really short but numerous sections.  The ACT just has five sections (If I remember correctly), one for each subject and the essay, while the SAT has 10 sections, three reading, three writing, three math, and the essay.  If you would rather get something all done without switching from subject to subject every 20 minutes, the ACT would be better for you, but if you like several breaks with shorter test periods, the SAT would be better.  

To me, The SAT seems to be more of an IQ test, something that tests your logic and raw mind ability, while the ACT seems to test what you have learned throughout school, so if you are book smart, I'd take the ACT, and if you are street smart, I'd take the SAT.  But there's no real harm in taking both anyways.

Answer 2

i think the sat is better because you only have to take certain subjects but idk. By the way very nice score i only got a 17 both times : (

Answer 3

If you have already taken the ACT, then stick with it. The more you study for one test, the better you will get at it. I would say that it wouldn't hurt to take both. Studing for the SAT is not the same as studing for the ACT, so the best thing to do would be to pick one, and then work to improve your score. Also look at the colleges you want to apply to, and see if they prefer one over the other. Usually, colleges accept both.

Answer 4

This truly varies with the person asking the question. I personally think the ACT is way easier than the SAT, and easier to study for. You don't have to worry about voacabulary as much and everything on the test is essentially in the passage or something you've been taught. The ACT does cost less when comparing with SAT Reasoning and Subject test costs. Also, you can choose which test you want to send to colleges...even the collegeboard is starting that with the SAT next March. All in all, if you feel that you can improve on this test then go for it, but if you feel that you've reached your limit, try the SAT. Some people find that the SAT is easier than the ACT to them.

Answer 5

Some people do better on one test than the other. I find that the ACT has more subjects that you learn in high school because they have the science and English parts. The SAT is more logic and endurance considering that it takes six hours just to take the test. Both have that ridiculous essay part that is impossible to study for as well. It just comes down to what type of student and test taker you are. Almost all colleges accept one or the other. If you think that you could do better on the SAT I would give it a shot. If you do worse, don't worry about it and take the ACT again. The only thing you are doing by following this approach is improve your test taking abilities for a variety of tests. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I think the ACT is better. I did significantly better on the ACT, and the SAT I felt was a lot more tedious, and its format is not the best. Work on punctuation to get English up.