I reluctantly signed up for the ACT after much persuasion and took it cold. I got a 32 composite, which is good, but in retrospect I could have prepared better for the ACT. On the ACT I got a 36 on reading and a 32 on math, which shows where the preparation for the SAT came in handy, but I got a 28 on science and a 30 on writing, both of which were different from anything on the SAT. I should have and could have prepared for these sections, which would have improved my score.

In the end, they are different tests which require different skills, so if you plan on taking both, I recommend you prepare for both, even if your primary focus is the SAT.

Studying for the SAT is not entirely enough–there are a few additional topics in math that you need to learn. You also need to study up for the science section. And AP sciences won’t help you that much with the science part–it’s science reasoning only. I got a 4 on my AP Chem exam, but when I took a practice ACT exam, I ended up getting only a 19 on the science section, so naturally, I shied away from the ACT and did the SAT.

I ended up getting equivalent scores on both SAT and ACT.

well those are two entirely different tests, not only are they graded differently but they are made differently. they require different strategies. the SATs dont cover the same things as he act, so just studying for the SAT isn’t enough. but a test prep book for the act. =)

and i do believe your science classes are a helpful prep for those sections