Yes! Lots and lots of colleges and universities are moving to testing optional admissions, but there are a number of things to check! Test scores could be required for out of state students, if minimum GPA or class ranks are not met, or just required by particular programs/majors (think engineering, pre-med, mathematics and sciences). Use FairTest.org to see which schools are test optional, and what that means for you.
I think you should take the ACT. It's more in line with your classwork, and easier to prepare for as a result.
The ACT is a strong option for most students. It is formatted like homework, and with practice the quick pace becomes a non-issue.
The SAT is a strong option for people who have stronger reading skills than time skills. If you can churn through the higher quantity of reading with no problem, you have good odds of getting a good score. The upside is that there is a lot more time per question throughout the entire test. The no calculator section can be tricky.
No you don't. The future is wide open. Making smart decisions about what kind of higher education to pursue can mean you learn a lot, have a great time, make good friends, and start on the path to a good career without a bunch of debt. It's not a simple decision, and there are lots of moving parts. If you want to have an honest conversation about it, talk to your school counselor, anyone between 25-35 years old, or email me here.
It is better to be prepared to access higher education and choosing not to than realizing you want to go and not being prepared. I'm presenting preparation material so you have the option.
You need to give yourself at least two months. Six weeks to get through the technique materials, and two weeks of practice tests before your actual test. Most students take a little more time, three or four months, spread out. It's okay to take the real test multiple times.
Most prep materials are designed to give you a huge book of stuff you never get through because it's more practice material than you'll ever use. Usually their questions aren't from actual tests.
I didn't do that. I put essential concepts and examples of those concepts in this material. All of your practice material comes from actual tests. All of your problem sets and practice tests are authentic SAT or ACT problems.
If you follow my schedule, you will have completed three full tests of material. That's a great place to start!