Truck and Barter: ACT vs. SAT

March 07, 2005

ACT vs. SAT

By Kevin

On the advice of my unbelievably dedicated guidance counselor, I took the SAT and the ACT:

Most students will score about the same on both tests.

Uh, not me; I did not perform exceptionally well on the SAT -- even the math section --, but I nearly aced the ACT. (I cannot recall the exact scores for either). In fact, I think the ACT is what got me accepted at Columbia's engineering school.

My advice: Underachievers, take the ACT! It seems clear to me that many top-performing kids are hyper-stressed, and can't deal with another test. But those of you who find yourselves way down in the class rankings, and can't understand why high school is stressful for so many, may find the marginal benefit way higher than the marginal cost.

H/T: The other Craig Newmark.

Posted at March 7, 2005 05:05 PM

Comments

I had a similar experience with the SAT/ACT scoring at least 5 percentile points higher on the ACT.

Too bad there is no competition for the LSAT, I guess I'll actually have to study this time around.

Comment by Bryan at March 8, 2005 02:04 PM | Permalink

I seem to recall...

1240 or so on the SAT, like 29 on the ACT. Both taken in 1990 (that matters, the SAT has gotten easier and easier over time).

Oh, and 1310 on the GRE in 1998. I think they all translate into 120 to 130 IQ, depending on which web site you check.

The real key is to go to a non-selective school! I went to SUNY Buffalo (I was from New York). All they required was a 3.something GPA and like an 1100 on the SAT. Cake.

Be smart. Your major is more important than where you went to school. You're not going to be an engineer by going to Harvard. I work with engineers from all the big ten schools, they're not better educated than I was.

Comment by Buzzcut at March 8, 2005 03:23 PM | Permalink