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What's ACT Like?

Blogs > FiRe)
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FiRe)
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States98 Posts
July 31 2010 04:35 GMT
#1
I've only been a SAT 1 test taker, and don't do so hot on it...and ACT I heard is somewhat similar to it? I never took ACT or studied for it 'cause of the science portion which I really suck at, probably my worst subject next to history. What's your opinion of ACT and is it better than SAT...(YOUR OPINION PLEASE!)

If you want please state what you got on the SAT and ACT...thank you!

Flame On!
GoShox
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States1843 Posts
July 31 2010 04:39 GMT
#2
On the ACT you have Math, Science, Reading, and English. You can also take an optional writing part. I've never taken the SAT so I can't compare the two.. The first two times I took the ACT I got a 29. The third time I took it I did a little bit of studying and actually got a good night of sleep before I took it and I ended up with a 32 (and I also forgot my calculator so I just did all the math on paper haha).

The math is geometry and algebra. The English is mostly grammar. The science is what always threw me.. people say that if you simply read the problems the answers are easy to find. The reading is simple, the answers are in the text, so looking at the questions before actually reading so you know what to look for is a good idea.
Bill Murray
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States9292 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-31 04:42:22
July 31 2010 04:40 GMT
#3
I've only taken the ACT. I got a 29 on it. It had 4 sections: english, reading, science, and math. On the math, it is best to work out B or C, because it will be like:

a: 5
b: 10
c: 15
d: 20

it's best to work out the 10 or 15 because if you figure it's higher or lower you are minimizing what you will need to work out whereas if you work out a. you will have to potentially work out b and c, but if you work out b or c at the start, you will at maximum only have to work out two numbers.

on the reading, they tell you not to do this, but i recommend getting the answers first and then skimming and finding where it talks about it.

on the science you just have to use low level math and common sense.

on the english, it would be best to get someone to go over your grammar like you would have when you were younger. my senior english teacher did this, and my score rose 7 points from a 25 to a 32.

University of Kentucky Basketball #1
FiRe)
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States98 Posts
July 31 2010 04:41 GMT
#4
I see so the science has nothing to do with your common knowledge?
Flame On!
Bill Murray
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States9292 Posts
July 31 2010 04:43 GMT
#5
it is like translating graphs and tables into an answer... i thought i did a lot better on it than i did. i got a 27 in it.
University of Kentucky Basketball #1
]343[
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States10328 Posts
July 31 2010 04:58 GMT
#6
supposedly ACT is easier to get a perfect score on (if you're close to that level), but harder if you're... dumb or something since it has a lot of logic stuff on science section, and the other stuff is weighted less.

hearsay though.
Writer
Cuyir
Profile Joined July 2009
United States20 Posts
July 31 2010 04:59 GMT
#7
Yeah, the science has very little actual science on it. It's more like a science-based reading section. Look over the questions before each section, that makes it a lot easier.

The English isn't too bad, some of the questions can be answered based on what sounds right, but others depend on some relatively obscure grammar rules. I recommend doing at least a few practice problems for this, so you get used to how they ask the questions.

Math is usually pretty easy, the only problem is time. Don't waste too much on any questions, skip it and come back if you need to.

Can't really give you much advice on the reading, because that section just comes easy for me, can't really explain it. Try skimming to get the gist of it, then look over the questions and go back to the text. Some of the questions refer to specific parts, so make sure to take those in context. Others are more general, so don't skim too lightly.

Make sure to answer every question, because there isn't any penalty for getting questions wrong, unlike the SAT. Overall, I thought the ACT was generally easier than the SAT, as the test is more about what you know then applying what you know. Only taken it once so far, got a 31.
FiRe)
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States98 Posts
July 31 2010 05:01 GMT
#8
I see thanks for the advice the essay is optional right? Colleges won't look at that, particularly Cal States?
Flame On!
n.DieJokes
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States3443 Posts
July 31 2010 05:05 GMT
#9
On July 31 2010 13:58 ]343[ wrote:
supposedly ACT is easier to get a perfect score on (if you're close to that level), but harder if you're... dumb or something since it has a lot of logic stuff on science section, and the other stuff is weighted less.

hearsay though.

Did you perfect it?
MyLove + Your Love= Supa Love
Navi
Profile Joined November 2009
5286 Posts
July 31 2010 05:17 GMT
#10
Science section isn't science, its a basic logic test.
Math is a little harder than on the SAT, because I think they use sine and very basic trig.
English stuff is english stuff, just like the SAT's.

Most colleges will only appreciate your ACT if you do ACT with writing.

TBH they were pretty similar when I took them (ACT + SAT), just basic studying will help you for either of them. If you actually study the science section for a day or two, you will most likely get over a 30 on it.

But I have a friend who does okay-mediocre on her SATs, but gets a 34 on the ACT cumulative. So it may be different for you
Hey! Listen!
Divinek
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
Canada4045 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-31 05:22:22
July 31 2010 05:21 GMT
#11
On July 31 2010 13:58 ]343[ wrote:
supposedly ACT is easier to get a perfect score on (if you're close to that level), but harder if you're... dumb or something since it has a lot of logic stuff on science section, and the other stuff is weighted less.

hearsay though.


i would actually say that's true based on my experience

but 1 sample size is a pretty small sample
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Oh goodness me, FOX tv where do you get your sight? Can't you keep track, the puck is black. That's why the ice is white.
R04R
Profile Joined March 2009
United States1631 Posts
July 31 2010 05:23 GMT
#12
ACT was easier for me because unlike the SAT, all the questions to a subject are all done in one session. I hated switching back and forth between english and math on the SAT.

1890 on SAT, 30 on ACT.

710 math, and around 600 on reading and writing

36 Math, and everything else was around 30.

Science, like everyone else said, is being able to find the answer accurately and efficiently. They give you a lot of text to read through but only some of it is useful. That's your job to do.
ô¿ô
Bill Murray
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States9292 Posts
July 31 2010 05:24 GMT
#13
The way it is graded is 36 = 0 wrong
34/35 (34 on math) if you miss one
33 if you miss two on math or if you miss 3 on another section
32 might be like missing 5 or missing 4 on math cumulative. I'm not exactly sure when it gets to here, but the further it goes, the more you have to miss in a section. So, then, the gap between 18 and 19 would be like 5 or 6 questions different. The more you miss, the harder it is to go down points. Getting a 34 on reading like I did, I'm fairly certain I missed two. Hope you understand how it works

also remember it is a timed test, so you will have to manage the pace you are working at. whenever i took it the other times, i got a 26 and a 27 on it. i wasn't a senior yet, and i didn't study for it any of the times i took it other than what i was doing in school.
University of Kentucky Basketball #1
Roffles *
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
Pitcairn19291 Posts
July 31 2010 05:26 GMT
#14
I thought the ACT was more of a speed test as opposed to the SAT. Questions were relatively easier, but there were more to do.

Science is more like logic, no real science involved. I thought both exams were relatively alright, as long as you know how to really take tests.
God Bless
Disregard
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
China10252 Posts
July 31 2010 05:38 GMT
#15
ACT is easier but theres a lot more questions. I never took it but my cousin did recently, from her experience. I dont see the point in taking both though.
"If I had to take a drug in order to be free, I'm screwed. Freedom exists in the mind, otherwise it doesn't exist."
TOloseGT
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
United States1145 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-31 06:10:23
July 31 2010 06:02 GMT
#16
ACT is easy as all hell. You can go in without any preparations except for the high school classes you took.

It's a joke compared to the SAT imo.

EDIT: woops, forgot to put my scores

SAT: 2010
ACT: 33
R04R
Profile Joined March 2009
United States1631 Posts
July 31 2010 06:11 GMT
#17
On July 31 2010 14:24 Bill Murray wrote:
The way it is graded is 36 = 0 wrong
34/35 (34 on math) if you miss one
33 if you miss two on math or if you miss 3 on another section
32 might be like missing 5 or missing 4 on math cumulative. I'm not exactly sure when it gets to here, but the further it goes, the more you have to miss in a section. So, then, the gap between 18 and 19 would be like 5 or 6 questions different. The more you miss, the harder it is to go down points. Getting a 34 on reading like I did, I'm fairly certain I missed two. Hope you understand how it works

also remember it is a timed test, so you will have to manage the pace you are working at. whenever i took it the other times, i got a 26 and a 27 on it. i wasn't a senior yet, and i didn't study for it any of the times i took it other than what i was doing in school.


There isn't a definite amount of questions missed in relation to score. It's a bell-curve, and ACT figures out the score by comparing it to the rest of the nation that took the test that specific day.

a.k.a. try taking the test that's you believe is the least opportune time for everyone else like prom, finals, etc.
ô¿ô
FiRe)
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States98 Posts
July 31 2010 06:24 GMT
#18
On July 31 2010 15:02 TOloseGT wrote:
ACT is easy as all hell. You can go in without any preparations except for the high school classes you took.

It's a joke compared to the SAT imo.

EDIT: woops, forgot to put my scores

SAT: 2010
ACT: 33


Lol well I'm not naturally smart the guys here at TL, I kind of have to go beyond than most people to get an 'okay' grade which means have to excessively beyond to get a good grade. Well I got to study of a ACT study guide soon.
Flame On!
GoShox
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States1843 Posts
July 31 2010 06:54 GMT
#19
My big recommendation is the basic stuff they tell you all the time: eat a good breakfast that day and get a good night of sleep. Like I said earlier the first two times I got like 6-7 hours of sleep, but the third time I got 10-11 hours. I was actually able to get up quite a bit before the test started and had some time to just relax. The reading part was much, much easier compared to before, which I honestly attribute to actually getting a good amount of sleep. I was able to think it through a lot better and I got my highest score ever on the reading portion.
crayhasissues
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States682 Posts
July 31 2010 07:23 GMT
#20
ACT is cake. I took the GMAT today, and it is much more challenging. Lucky for me, I got away with a 460 with 2-3 days studying (400 was all I needed). The recommended study time is 3 to 6 months.
twitch.tv/crayhasissues ||| @crayhasissues on twitter ||| Dota 2 Streamer that loves to help new players!
aev
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
166 Posts
July 31 2010 07:36 GMT
#21
On July 31 2010 16:23 Scruffy wrote:
ACT is cake. I took the GMAT today, and it is much more challenging. Lucky for me, I got away with a 460 with 2-3 days studying (400 was all I needed). The recommended study time is 3 to 6 months.


Of course, that may be due to the fact that the GMAT is designed for prospective graduate school students...
Crahptacular
Profile Joined December 2008
United States295 Posts
July 31 2010 07:49 GMT
#22
I seem to recall the science section of ACT being ridiculously easy, so it was just score inflation. Otherwise there wasn't a noticeable difference in difficulty between the two. 2320/35, since you asked. I also think I remember most of my friends getting slightly higher ACT scores, but it's been a while, so I might be wrong. I don't think the difference is significant enough to really matter.
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