SAT and ACT?

Question

I'm in 8th grade and I have been noticed by the MATS (Midwest Academic Talent Search) and they want me to take the SAT or ACT. It's not going to harm me and I really would like to do it. How can I prepare for it???

So I found out that the test scores are counted for any college stuff. They just help me with picking high school classes. They are basically pretests to the actual thing.

Answer 1

First, you are not too young! I applaud your desire to take this test because it will show you where your weak spots are and you can focus on improving those areas. The tests are both pretty good if you like standardized tests. It really depends on your future desires. Do you wish to stay in the Midwest for school? If so, the ACT is accepted by every University and College in the Central United States and by most every other college in the US too. It is usually considered the more "practical" of the two and is considered a better measure of how well you would do in college overall. The SAT is accepted by every US school that I know of (especially the Research Universities). It too makes a prediction about how well you will do in college but is definately geared more towards the analytical and abstract than the practical. The SAT used to be the only test schools like Harvard, Yale and the other Ivy Leaguers woud accept. They believe it was a better measure of how well a student will do in their "tough and gruelling" courses (although there is some argument that the courses in an Ivy League are any harder than other schools). Today, the tests are seen pretty similarly. The new ACT is a torture of a test and will truly test your limits and your ability to sit still for 4 hours.

In truth, at your age, it does not matter which test you take. Talent Search will use it as you should use it. To see where you are strong and where you need some improvement.

Good luck.

Answer 2

there are many many good books out there about SAT and ACT preparation. try amazon.com for a used one, which will be cheaper. also, this is a good website if you want to start practicing in the meantime - www.number2.com , but i really do think you are too young.. most dont take the SAT or ACT until 11th grade. good luck though!

Answer 3

i suggest you that take SAT more times than ACT
because SAT is much useful .
you can visit the on line book store and collegeboard.com product website to buy some great books .
following are the best two SATI books i think
1McGraw Hill's SATI
2 The offical study for the new SAT