When should my child take the SAT or ACT?

We recommend taking your first SAT or ACT test as early as your schedule allows. If you plan to take both tests, plan to take them in consecutive months for the most efficient prep. Comprehensive prep courses can start as many as 8 to 10 weeks before the test.

Should my child take both the SAT and ACT?

Some students may be interested in taking both the SAT and ACT — and you certainly can, if you wish to do so — but it's generally best to avoid doing this. For one, you'll have to study for two separate exams, each of which has its own structure, content, and questions.

When should kids first take the SAT?

The College Board recommends taking your first SAT during the spring of 11th grade. By this point, you should have learned most of the major concepts tested on the exam and will have ample time to retake the SAT one or more times, if needed.

When should students take the SAT or ACT?

Typically, students plan to take the SAT or ACT during junior year of high school, as they will have most likely covered all or a majority of the concepts that are tested on the exams. However, junior year also happens to be the most challenging and academically rigorous school year for most students thus far.

Do colleges prefer ACT or SAT?

You may have heard that colleges in some states prefer the ACT while others gravitate towards the SAT®. This is a common misconception. Colleges don't have a preference between the SAT or ACT so it's important to know how to choose the test that's right for you.

Should my child take the SAT or ACT?

Which is more difficult the SAT or ACT?

Section Summary: Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other – but each test benefits a different type of student.

Is the ACT harder than the SAT?

The SAT is not harder than the ACT. Both tests vary slightly in terms of subjects covered and structure. These variations can affect each test-taker differently, making one exam more challenging than the other. Taking full-length practice tests of each type can help you determine which may be best suited for you.

Can my 8th grader take the ACT?

People of all ages and grade levels are eligible to take the ACT. This includes students in grades 6, 7, 8, and 9 and high school graduates. Of course you'll need to register and pay the test fees.

Should an 8th grader take the ACT?

While you can start taking the ACT or SAT test for college admissions as early as 8th grade, we typically recommend that students wait until 11th grade to take the test for the first time. These college admissions tests evaluate your knowledge of everything you should learn throughout high school.

Can a 8th grader take the SAT?

Although the SAT is primarily used for college admissions, there is no age requirement to take the SAT. Some middle school students take the test to help plan their high school curriculum or to gain testing experience.

Is it OK to do bad on first SAT?

Nobody aces the SAT on their first try. (Okay, maybe very, very few exceptions here, but you get the point.) 2. Since the test mixes basic and advanced concepts, some students struggle because they encounter material they may have not yet covered in the classroom.

Should my daughter take the SAT?

Should my child study for and take the SAT/ACT? We highly recommend that most students study for and take the SAT/ACT, even if every school on their list is test-optional. If they take the test and don't like their score, they can simply not submit it. There's no harm done.

What is the youngest age to take the SAT?

Eligibility Criteria for the SAT Exam: Summary

There are no set maximum or minimum age criteria in SAT exam eligibility for students. You can appear for this exam without worrying about any age limit. SAT does not require any minimum educational criteria.

Is SAT or ACT better for kids with ADHD?

The ACT is often better for students with ADHD and offers significant advantages: 1. The ACT's content, and the way in which questions are asked, resembles the way material is covered in school. The SAT's questions are more convoluted, and they can confuse students, even those who know the content being tested.

Why would I take the ACT instead of the SAT?

Both tests evaluate your skills in reading, writing, and math. However, the ACT goes a step further by offering an optional essay component that can highlight your writing skills to provide a more well-rounded assessment of your academic abilities.

Is 33 a bad ACT score?

A 33 puts you at the 98th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 98% of all test takers!

Is a 15 ACT score bad?

ACT Test Score Ranges

Each section has a test score range of 1-36: Below Average Score Range: 1-16. Average Score Range: 17-24. Above Average Score Range: 25-36.

Is 13 a bad ACT score?

Scores below a 15 on the ACT are considered low at just about any four-year college. You can overcome low scores with a great GPA or an outstanding college application. But even if you're accepted, the school may ask you to take some remedial courses before enrolling.

Is 27 a good ACT score for a junior?

A 27 ACT score puts you a good deal about the national average (20.8) and makes you eligible for acceptance at a vast majority of schools. It also makes you competitive at some selective institutions, as well as eligible for merit aid! Considering those things, it's easy to say that a 27 ACT score is good.

Should my freshman take the ACT?

Taking the ACT earlier in high school will allow for multiple attempts. By starting early, you can gauge your initial performance, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and devise a tailored study plan. Remember to check the superscoring policies of your target colleges and universities, as they may differ.

Which ACT is easiest?

Just as the SAT writing section, the ACT English is the easiest to increase too. Now if you have a decent English reading experience than you can also breeze through the Rhetorical Skills questions. You just need to apply some common sense into those questions and nothing else.

Is a ACT score of 19 good?

The average ACT score is 19. Therefore, earning this score means you performed within the 50th percentile of test takers.

Is a 29 on the ACT a good score?

A 29 ACT score puts you in the 91st percentile — that means you scored higher than 91% of all test takers.