What's better SAT or ACT when trying to enroll in college from home school. I've heard the SAT is a waste, what do you think?
2006-10-13 14:35:55 · 7 answers · asked by Nerds Rule! 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Home Schooling
Don't listen to the SAT crowd. They don't know better.
It depends on what you want.
SAT
This test pushes you to the limit. It tests you on things you should and shouldn't know to see how far they can push you. In other words, it is the more difficult of the two tests. Recently, the SAT gurus circulated a private article stating that they were losing the testing race to the ACT. They acknowledged that their test was "meaningless to college success", and acknowledged that their test was "a weed out exam for colleges". Their answer was to redo the entire test. What they created was a huge mess that left students and teachers puzzled about the meaning of the test. Colleges have begun to acknowledge that the SAT is "racially biased" and "not indicative of student success".
ACT
This is a minimum performance test. It tests the basic skills required to succeed in college. There will be no surprises on the exam. Most people score better on the ACT. Colleges have noted that the ACT is "a good indicator of student success". It is an easier test and lets the colleges know what classes are required for remediation. In other words, the ACT is useful.
Also note:
ACT is accepted in 100% of colleges. Yes, even IVY leagues take them. There is a conversion factor for changing ACT values to SAT values made specifically for those colleges.
2006-10-13 16:30:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many Ivy league schools prefer the SAT. I took the SAT because the schools i applied to required it and not the ACT. I don't understand why SAT would be a waste....you need to look at the schools you are applying to. Some require the SAT and some let you take ACT instead.
http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/chapter1section2.html
2006-10-13 14:45:38 · answer #2 · answered by teri 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That will depend on the institution that you wish to attend. I know people that have gone to college solely on the basis of their SAT score. Those that study well in home-school and learn enough in levels K-12 to obtain an high SAT score are even honored with very good scholarships. Some have also received full-ride scholarship to the school of their choice. Definitely not a waste!!!
Barb
2006-10-13 15:31:59 · answer #3 · answered by Barb 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what college you want to apply to. Different colleges prefer different tests. I actually advise my students to take both tests.
Look at the admissions website information for the colleges you want to apply to. Those websites will tell you which tests the school wants you to take.
There are also some colleges that will accept you without an ACT or SAT test score. Community colleges will often do this, for example.
2006-10-13 15:35:39 · answer #4 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SAT is actually the best thing to take if you are home schooled. I was myself, and I got 2 perfect scores in math and reading, but my writing score was only 720, for a total of 2320. I only read this SAT guide, and that is how I got such high scores:
http://www.guideparadise.com/index.php?option=com_guides&task=buy&id=6
I recommend this guide to anyone seeking to get a higher score to get into a first choice college.
2006-10-13 15:46:29 · answer #5 · answered by jupitertitaneuropa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most schools in the south and midwest prefer the ACT while schools on the coasts prefer the SAT. You can even take both and see which one you do better on.
2006-10-13 14:45:29 · answer #6 · answered by fetchrat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Given that 98% of schools accept the SAT, how is it a waste except for the old 'testing to the test' megalomaniac ETS system?
2006-10-13 14:44:27 · answer #7 · answered by Schmeep 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋