ACT or SAT?

[smile]

So what's the difference between the ACT and SAT? And which one did you take? I heard that more western colleges look at ACT's more then SAT's? I live in Oklahoma and I'm concidering going to ORU (Oral Roberts University) which is in Tulsa, so I don't want to take the SAT when they look at ACT's more.

And which one has less math? Haha...math is not one of my strong points...



Thanks,
Kemper

 

[StephanieD]

When I was taking those tests, I was told to take the SAT if I was staying at a college in my state. All I really knew about the ACT was that you needed to take it if you were going out of state or out of the country. So, you may want to look at that. I didn't take the ACT, so I couldn't tell you which was easier. I'd recommend taking the sample tests to see which one you perform better at. You can even take the PSAT or the Preliminary ACT test as well to practice.

I got the following info from http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/local/9651087.htm
The ACT and the SAT are not identical tests. They have decidedly different formats. The ACT covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. The new writing test (spring 2005) is optional, and its score is combined into the English score. The reading section is basically over social-studies materials. A few colleges will also accept the ACT in place of separate achievement tests. The new SAT (spring 2005) will have three sections: critical reading, math and writing.

 

[VanillaRose]

Actually I didn't take either. I got my GED so I took the college placement test.

 

[infantyouthpastor]

I live in Oklahoma too. Most colleges in Oklahoma look at ACT scores. I didn't even take the SAT. Also, I think the ACT has the leist math...not for sure though. Good luck up there at ORU!

 

[okiemommy26]

I live in Oklahoma also. I took the ACT when i was in High school 8 yrs ago because i didn't want to take the SAT and most of the colleges here wanted you to take the ACT or some just say either or. Im going to Wesyelan one hour north of Tulsa.

 

[Matt.9:22]

I took the SAT, because that's what schools in Texas mainly look at. Some will accept ACT scores though. When my high school counselor was advising me, he told me that SAT was for people that were good at math, reading and writing and that ACT was for people who were better at history and science.

 

[smile]

Thanks infantyouthpastor and thanks to all who replied! vbmenu_register("postmenu_11052831", true);

I took the SAT, because that's what schools in Texas mainly look at. Some will accept ACT scores though. When my high school counselor was advising me, he told me that SAT was for people that were good at math, reading and writing and that ACT was for people who were better at history and science.

Hm..that kind of stinks lol. I'm good at reading and writing/history lol. I'm split I guess. Thanks for the reply.


Kemper

 

[invisiblebabe]

I took both (as well as the PSAT and several SATII tests, haha) and found the ACT somewhat easier.

 

[Truth and Reconciliation]

The ACT is easier and involves less studying. The SAT, on the other hand, takes long-term preparation and vocabulary memorization - which is even more the case now with the writing sample. For the latter exam, it's best to start as early as possible - say freshman year in high school. Start with math, as it's the easier of the three sections to tackle. If you do scores of exams, you'll find your scores increasing exponentially. Reuse old practice exams if no new ones are available. Practice exams can be purchased from CollegeBoard, Princeton Review, and Kaplan. The exams from other companies aren't as effective in their emulation of the SAT.

Also don't just restrict yourself to using SAT prep exams. Use the GRE sample tests as well, as the two exams are very similar in structure.

God bless and have fun!

Vincent

 

[SOLDOUT4HIM]

ACT is the test to take. It allows you to guess if you do not know answers and it's easier. Many schools look at SAT scores more favorably though(I know this to be true in Florida).

 

[jands2004]

I took both the SAT and the ACT. I scored a lot higher on the SAT than on the ACT. They concentrate on different things.

I would suggest purchasing a study guide with practice tests for whichever one you choose to take.

 

[LaxItUp]

When I was taking them I heard that the ACT was more generally accepted in the Midwest, which I totally agree with. I applied to quite a few schools in the KS, MO, and OK. However, I finally ended up with my last two choices being in Ohio and Virginia and both of these schools awarded me according to my ACT's. ACT is definitely the test to take...

 

[jands2004]

I think you mean MidEast. Considering how VA is on the East coast.

I think it depends on the school. I took both, submitted only my SAT scores and was awarded accordingly..this being at a school that regularly takes ACT scores more than SAT scores.

 

[Ellesar]

I took both the SAT and the ACT, but the school I'm attending only requires one or the other...

 

[the_man]

They are both standardized tests that schools use as one of the tools to evaluate a candidate. Which one you should take would/should heavily depend on the school you want to attend. If you are like most and apply to 5-6 schools, you may find that some schools require one over the other. I took both.

 

[eviltangerine]

I would suggest taking both...

I feel I did better in the ACT just because I was in such a higher math level (took calc 3 (multi-var calc) my senior year of hs) and the ACT's math is more advanced than the SAT's...although that's not saying much because they were both pretty elementary, in my opinion. Also, the ACT has a science section, so that worked out well for me (engineering major) instead of worrying about vocab (like the SAT has)

But yea, I suggest taking both and sending each option to all the schools that'll take it (some take only one, some take both) and let them decide how to interpret the results.

 

[LaxItUp]

I think you mean MidEast. Considering how VA is on the East coast.

I think it depends on the school. I took both, submitted only my SAT scores and was awarded accordingly..this being at a school that regularly takes ACT scores more than SAT scores.

I originally applied to schools in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, so I did mean MIDWEST...

 

[fishstix]

Universities here just look at high school marks. Although they may have different criteria for international students, including those from the US.

 

[prettyrose436]

I took only the SATs because I was applying to colleges that did not require the ACT, although I did think about taking the ACT just to see if I would do better thatn the SATs