ACT/SAT Testing

[Pandora]

So I'm taking my ACT test tomorrow, from 8 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon, and I'm a little nervous. I've gone through a couple of ACT prep questions and they didn't look too difficult, plus I know that if I do bad on this test I can re-take it whenever I want to. But for those have taken either of these tests, what did you think of it? Was it tolerable or absolutely painful to go through? This is the very first time I'm taking the test, and I believe one of the colleges I'm applying to needs an SAT score, so I'll worry about that later.
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[Abstract Debauchery]

I went in thinking that the test was going to be the hardest thing I had ever taken in my life. I didn't study, I didn't read up, I didn't do a damned thing to prepare. So, I pretty much went in expecting complete and utter failure. I took the test, and I found that it was pretty fucking easy, actually. Got my test scores back a couple of weeks later, and I scored a 2150 out of 2400. Not bad at all. The only part I struggled with was Math, fucking figures.

Just try not to think too hard about it, the more you think on it, the more nervous you're going to make yourself. Sit back, relax, and kick some ass.

 

[blakstang98]

Ahhh, the SAT's. I took them twice in high school, once junior year and once senior year. Back in my day, the SAT was scored out of 1600, and I scored 970 and 980, respectively. To break it down, I got 580 and 610 in math, and 390 and 370 in verbal. To be totally honest, all the verbal was , hence I did almost double in math.

I can't be of help now that you've already taken it, but I guess knowing how they work the tests is a big plus. Not that I would really be of assistance anyways, I did awful.

 

[Kim Taehyung]

THe ACT isn't too bad. It's honestly just general knowledge. They'll throw in a few tough questions every now and then, but in general, it's not bad. Oddly enough, I studied for it my first time and got an 18, so I scheduled a re-take and got a 22 without the studying. TBH, I don't recommend that approach. The Basic Skills test that's required in order to be certified to teach, though.... I hate it.

 

[Pandora]

Should have reported sooner, but yes, I took it. And I'm a little discouraged about what I got. It was as easy as people said it was. The only problem was that each section was VERY long. Like, 75 questions per section, with only 35-45 minutes to complete each one. I didn't finish any of them by 10-15 questions, and wondering if that'll leave me with a lower score than what I hope. If it does, I may have to sign up to take it again.
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[CassinoChips]

Yeah, you're never supposed to leave a question blank. Guessing wrong gives you more credit than not answering at all, and if you guess, there's always the chance that you'll guess correctly. At least, if they still score it the way they did back in my day.

I know a lot of schools now are going away from test scores as a requirement. Wake Forest, for example.

 

[Pandora]

From what I heard last year from people that have already taken it, it seemed a few things were different than they used to be - like how they would give you an hour for each section. When we had a 10 minute break and left the classroom, there were other kids that were saying how 35/45 minutes isn't enough time. When I rush through questions, chances are higher that I'll mess up. I always have to take my time.
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[Rydrum2112]

TTT - you are incorrect about leaving one blank.
On the SAT if you are completely unsure of an answer you should leave it blank. The reason- there is a "penalty" for guessing. For each problem you answer correctly you get +1, for leaving one blank it counts as a 0, and each one you answer incorrectly you get -.25.

Now if you can eliminate an option, then it may be worth guessing. The probability of being correct changes from 1/4 to 1/3. This in turn will increase your average score [which is probability of being correct x score] for an item to (1/3), so you have an opportunity to gain (1/3*1 =.333) more than you would lose (-.25).

Also you guys just giving us your raw score #s is not informative, if you want to show off (or be self-depreciating) you would tell us your Percentiles.

P.S. If you think the SAT or ACT are tough try taking the GRE.