SAT or ACT

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College Professors Chatboard

SAT or ACT

by sportsmama

Feb 12, 2011

My kids are getting to the point where they will be taking these tests. Question is - which one? Do colleges prefer one over the other? What are the specific diffrences in each? If both are equally acceptable by colleges, is one test better to take for a particular type of student? From what I have been able to gather so far, the SAT questions require more critical thinking while the ACT, requiring "less" critical thinking, has a restrictive time contraint. I would like to get a better feel for which of these tests my kids should take so I know how to proceed with helping them achieve their individual goals. Your thoughts, opinions, and experience whould be greatly appreciated.

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bernoulli In my experience GPA carries more weight with "faculty" than SAT and ACT scores. Actually college credit carries more weight than AP classes. Are the 12 units from taking college classes or is that AP Credit?

It doesn't seem like the distinguished plan should hurt his GPA. Would an A = 5, B = 4, etc.? Dropping from 3.8 to 2.34 doesn't make...See More

Feb 15, 2011

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sportsmama To answer your questions:

Yes, the 12 credits are actual college courses. We call it dual enrollment since they get the college credit as well as the high school credit. He is taking his second class this semester. Next year, he will take at least 2 more classes. He is not taking any AP classes just pre- AP classes so no AP testing is requ...See More

Feb 16, 2011

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bernoulli Actual college courses are more meaningful than AP credits to many of us. Sadly, many AP courses teach to tests rather to the skills and abilities actually desired.

At my university and in my college, GPA is a better predictor of success than SAT scores. The bottom line is this: If I want to predict how a student will do in any of my clas...See MoreActual college courses are more meaningful than AP credits to many of us. Sadly, many AP courses teach to tests rather to the skills and abilities actually desired.

At my university and in my college, GPA is a better predictor of success than SAT scores. The bottom line is this: If I want to predict how a student will do in any of my classes, looking at their previous grades (especially in the same subject) is more helpful than looking at their SAT score.

In any class that is considered worth 5 points, an A = 5 points. It sounds to me like in your calculation you did not do that in three distinguished classes that are not Pre/AP classes. I could be wrong.

Let me distinguish that what the academic department desires and what happens in the admissions office can be two different things. I have been critical of our admissions office for over 20 years for doing whatever the heck they want and ignoring the academic units they serve. My point is that is hard to generalize for all institutions. My opinions are based on my experiences and dealing with faculty for many years.

I hope that helps a little.

On 2/16/11, sportsmama wrote: > To answer your questions: > > Yes, the 12 credits are actual college courses. We call it dual > enrollment since they get the college credit as well as the high school > credit. He is taking his second class this semester. Next year, he will > take at least 2 more classes. He is not taking any AP classes just pre- > AP classes so no AP testing is required. > > For the regular classes, an A = 4, B = 3, etc. But the pre-AP and > college classes are bumped up one so an A = 5, B = 4, etc. He is > currently taking 3 pre-AP/college courses with each one having a > potential of earning 5 points each - that's 15 - and his other 5 classes > having a potential of earning 4 points each - that's 20. So when I add > those up, I get a total of 35. Next I assigned the number value to his > actual letter grade earned, then divide the two. That is how I got his > GPA. BUT since he is on the "Distinguish" plan, the school considers ALL > his 8 classes as having the potential to earn 5 points even if they > cannot not. So they are dividing his actual points earned by 40 (8 * 5) > instead of 35 (3*5 + 5*4). > > In your experience, GPA carries more weight so I will assume that having > him on this distinguish plan is actually going to hurt him rather than > help him. It sounds like I will need to talk with his academic counselor > and change his graduation plan. > > Thank for all your insight. > > On 2/15/11, bernoulli wrote: >> In my experience GPA carries more weight with "faculty" than SAT and ACT >> scores. Actually college credit carries more weight than AP classes. Are >> the 12 units from taking college classes or is that AP Credit? >> >> It doesn't seem like the distinguished plan should hurt his GPA. Would >> an A = 5, B = 4, etc.? Dropping from 3.8 to 2.34 doesn't make sense to > me. >> >> I am not sure about the answer to the last question as far as the >> admissions office is concerned.

Feb 16, 2011

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marjoryt Content in some of our local high school courses, even the AP ones, isn't all it should be. In addition, the students aren't expected to do much independent work outside class. It's not uncommon to have students who were in the high school honor societies sitting in developmental classes, based on GPA and our diagnostic testing. In my state, many s...See More

Feb 18, 2011

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Mom to Three I think what you might do also depends on where he will be applying to colleges. If it is closer to home and the admissions folks understand the concept of the state diplomas that that your son has taken a much more demanding load overall, but is being penalized a bit for the way the Distinguished GPA is formulated, then fine. But if he intends to ...See MoreI think what you might do also depends on where he will be applying to colleges. If it is closer to home and the admissions folks understand the concept of the state diplomas that that your son has taken a much more demanding load overall, but is being penalized a bit for the way the Distinguished GPA is formulated, then fine. But if he intends to go out of state or to very competitive colleges, then yes in my opion having a Distinguished GPA of 2.Anything would be lousy, since most colleges view 3.0 as a straight B and equal to good. When looking at thousands of applications all at once, there is little time to discern details.

On a more local note, this sounds like something that should be brought up with the PTO or other parents you know and then a group go to the Principal and School Division Administration about getting modified. Our city high school has top notch students and the APs re definitely weighted higher than regular classes for any diploma. It does not make any sense to "weight up" lower level classes for the more higher ranked diploma as it should be based on the academic content not how much one can throw a ball or play an instrument beyond the base academic credit for that course.

I would definitely "drop back" to the middle diploma offering as the 12 college credits will still be showing AS WELL AS your son's hard work in his very academic course load. Another thing to consider is possible admittance to special college honors classes, section placement, and/or options for scholarship help as a 2.34 is not going to get him much even at the local community college.

I have been there and seen that with two older girls who between them have five degrees. Even in college, the GPA is interestings in that we thought we had found a highly ranked 5-year Master in Physical Therapy for our middle daughter. Well by the end of first semester freshman year with a 3.9. she was telling us she wanted to transfer as it was too easy. Our first response was that she came from a top high school and first year was probably the easiest in terms of course load. Nope she asked around, and it was supposed to be the hardest. So she transferred out as it would have been a waste of her time and talent and did find challenge at The University where here Dad teaches in some classes. So GPAs can break both ways.

On 2/16/11, sportsmama wrote: > To answer your questions: > > Yes, the 12 credits are actual college courses. We call it dual > enrollment since they get the college credit as well as the high school > credit. He is taking his second class this semester. Next year, he will > take at least 2 more classes. He is not taking any AP classes just pre- > AP classes so no AP testing is required. > > For the regular classes, an A = 4, B = 3, etc. But the pre-AP and > college classes are bumped up one so an A = 5, B = 4, etc. He is > currently taking 3 pre-AP/college courses with each one having a > potential of earning 5 points each - that's 15 - and his other 5 classes > having a potential of earning 4 points each - that's 20. So when I add > those up, I get a total of 35. Next I assigned the number value to his > actual letter grade earned, then divide the two. That is how I got his > GPA. BUT since he is on the "Distinguish" plan, the school considers ALL > his 8 classes as having the potential to earn 5 points even if they > cannot not. So they are dividing his actual points earned by 40 (8 * 5) > instead of 35 (3*5 + 5*4). > > In your experience, GPA carries more weight so I will assume that having > him on this distinguish plan is actually going to hurt him rather than > help him. It sounds like I will need to talk with his academic counselor > and change his graduation plan. > > Thank for all your insight. > > On 2/15/11, bernoulli wrote: >> In my experience GPA carries more weight with "faculty" than SAT and ACT >> scores. Actually college credit carries more weight than AP classes. Are >> the 12 units from taking college classes or is that AP Credit? >> >> It doesn't seem like the distinguished plan should hurt his GPA. Would >> an A = 5, B = 4, etc.? Dropping from 3.8 to 2.34 doesn't make sense to > me. >> >> I am not sure about the answer to the last question as far as the >> admissions office is concerned.

Mar 19, 2011

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