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ACT vs SAT

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ruennsheng
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14 Dec 2009, 7:40 am

I am asking this as an international student:

(1) Which test should we take, if we can only take one, in order to be admitted into a good state university with only a high school certificate with good results from the test?

(2) What are our target scores if we want to do well in ACT/SATs?

(3) Please share with us the experiences of taking the tests (esp. the new format SAT tests)


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14 Dec 2009, 7:53 am

It depends on the school you want to go to. I only took the ACT because that was the only one I need for the schools I went to.


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ruennsheng
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14 Dec 2009, 8:06 am

What if it were a college like Michigan State or Michigan Tech? Would ACT help more than SAT?


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14 Dec 2009, 8:18 am

I live in Michigan and most schools here only use the ACT but some may require the SAT. You will need to check with each school as to what their admissions requirements are.


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zer0netgain
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14 Dec 2009, 8:53 am

SAT should be universally accepted. ACT is just as valid, but some schools don't accept it.

SAT is all about reading and math. ACT includes other disciplines that do a more well-rounded evaluation.

Both tests are rather silly as prep classes make the scores on each largely irrelevant....a course to help you maximize a score on a placement test really invalidates the point of the placement test in the first place.

If you must take only one, SAT is the one you want. Be prepared for a very long and annoying exam.



ruennsheng
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14 Dec 2009, 9:55 am

zer0netgain wrote:
SAT should be universally accepted. ACT is just as valid, but some schools don't accept it.

SAT is all about reading and math. ACT includes other disciplines that do a more well-rounded evaluation.

Both tests are rather silly as prep classes make the scores on each largely irrelevant....a course to help you maximize a score on a placement test really invalidates the point of the placement test in the first place.

If you must take only one, SAT is the one you want. Be prepared for a very long and annoying exam.


How annoying can SAT be? A lot of stupid irrelevant questions asked?


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zer0netgain
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14 Dec 2009, 11:31 am

ruennsheng wrote:
zer0netgain wrote:
SAT should be universally accepted. ACT is just as valid, but some schools don't accept it.

SAT is all about reading and math. ACT includes other disciplines that do a more well-rounded evaluation.

Both tests are rather silly as prep classes make the scores on each largely irrelevant....a course to help you maximize a score on a placement test really invalidates the point of the placement test in the first place.

If you must take only one, SAT is the one you want. Be prepared for a very long and annoying exam.


How annoying can SAT be? A lot of stupid irrelevant questions asked?


Reading, math, reading, math, reading, math....too many questions in too short a time (by design) and each group in increasing difficulty. Start in the morning (8 am) tend to get out around 2pm...but that's based on my lame memory of the event. You do get beaks during the exam.



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14 Dec 2009, 12:35 pm

The ACT is definitely shorter than the SAT, then. I remember when I took it, it started at 8am, and I think we got out before noon. If you get at least a 26 on the ACT, I think that would just about guarantee you a spot in any state university. The average score I think is around 22, but since there isn't much variance on the test scores, anything above that is pretty good. I don't know if you're like me, but I didn't even have to study for it. The material is pretty basic. The catch is just that you have to do it quickly.



ruennsheng
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14 Dec 2009, 8:06 pm

Any special provisions provided in both SAT and ACTs for dyslexic students?


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zer0netgain
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15 Dec 2009, 8:16 am

I would imagine so, but I'm not sure what they are. You'd have to talk to someone who administers the SAT/ACT exam to see what accommodations they offer.



ruennsheng
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15 Dec 2009, 9:46 am

Ok, sure, if not I will have to apply for BCC pretty soon...


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15 Dec 2009, 3:11 pm

zer0netgain wrote:
Reading, math, reading, math, reading, math....too many questions in too short a time (by design) and each group in increasing difficulty. Start in the morning (8 am) tend to get out around 2pm...but that's based on my lame memory of the event. You do get beaks during the exam.

There's also now a writing section in the SAT, so ruennsheng make sure your English writing is up to snuff!

As a student from Singapore, would you have to worry about the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) also?


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15 Dec 2009, 3:35 pm

ruennsheng wrote:
What if it were a college like Michigan State or Michigan Tech? Would ACT help more than SAT?

Michigan schools prefer the ACT, but the SAT is more universally accepted in the US. Personally I did much better on the ACT than I did on the SAT and the writing part is optional. (though some schools require it)



ruennsheng
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16 Dec 2009, 4:43 am

Stinkypuppy wrote:
zer0netgain wrote:
Reading, math, reading, math, reading, math....too many questions in too short a time (by design) and each group in increasing difficulty. Start in the morning (8 am) tend to get out around 2pm...but that's based on my lame memory of the event. You do get beaks during the exam.

There's also now a writing section in the SAT, so ruennsheng make sure your English writing is up to snuff!

As a student from Singapore, would you have to worry about the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) also?


I don't think so. I just need to submit two certificates: my 'O' Levels (or 'A' Levels, if I do have one) certificate as well as the SAT/ACT test if I apply to most public colleges in the States.

For the writing, reading and math parts, all I can only do is to put in my best into these components. I am even willing to complete the ACT writing component whenever possible.


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16 Dec 2009, 4:46 pm

i went to high school in michigan and undergrad elsewhere, but since i applied from michigan i can tell you that i would take the ACT ( my grades were lacking in high school...still are haha...but i did very well on the ACT... 27 [i took it in 2004] that was definitely above average. my SAT scores were not as good.



ruennsheng
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16 Dec 2009, 9:58 pm

BongSao wrote:
i went to high school in michigan and undergrad elsewhere, but since i applied from michigan i can tell you that i would take the ACT ( my grades were lacking in high school...still are haha...but i did very well on the ACT... 27 [i took it in 2004] that was definitely above average. my SAT scores were not as good.


May I know what's your college? :D

Wow, 27 is so good! It would be a 30 for now though. :(


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