1bassoon Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 What do you think, Hive? Down here, everyone takes the ACT. My ds won't be taking the SAT, or the PSAT. I've gotten a copy of SAT math prep - will it help him? It seems pretty geared towards the tricks and style of math on the SAT. Anyone's kids do both, or prep for both? What's the difference? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara H Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 My advice is to take sample tests of both the SAT and ACT at home. See if your student prefers one and concentrate on that test. It doesn't matter what part of the country you live in, all colleges will accept either test equally. While there is a lot of overlap, I would not use SAT materials to prepare for the ACT because there is some difference. The SAT math is trickier and the ACT math goes just a bit further into some trig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 The math on the ACT is different and question types are VERY different. The ACT's math is more straight forward-- the SAT's math is more of 'just trying to figure out what they are asking'. The ACT has an average 4 Trig problems-- the type of Trig found in an Algebra or Geometry course-- 2 with sin,cos, tan and usually 2 with Law of Sines/Law of Cosines. There are no Trig problems on the SAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bassoon Posted September 24, 2012 Author Share Posted September 24, 2012 The math on the ACT is different and question types are VERY different. The ACT's math is more straight forward-- the SAT's math is more of 'just trying to figure out what they are asking'. The ACT has an average 4 Trig problems-- the type of Trig found in an Algebra or Geometry course-- 2 with sin,cos, tan and usually 2 with Law of Sines/Law of Cosines. There are no Trig problems on the SAT. Thanks, Jann. That's what I was thinking, but needed confirmation. I won't have him waste his time on this, and will go straight to an ACT prep program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldielocks Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 It can't hurt, however, I would NOT write off the SAT. Almost all colleges take either and almost all students do better on one than the other. The SAT is weighted heavier on math with 1/3 sections math but the ACT has that weird science section that isn't science at all. What is this weird science science section that isn't science at all on the ACT?? :001_huh: Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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