Should I just go take the ACT or SAT without studying first, just to see where I'm at?
Some things are a matter of personal preference.
My personal preference is to establish some kind of strategy.
And strategically, I would want to take the test as few times as possible.
Because there are a lot of other things in life that are probably more enriching than taking a standardized test.
So why waste your time?
Knowing what I know about these tests, I would never take any standardized test without studying for it. And that applies to the ACT, SAT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, etc.
Why?
Let me explain. These tests are designed with certain tricks and certain patterns. Most of your success on standardized tests lies in your ability to navigate the test. You have to LEARN HOW TO TAKE THE TEST in order to do well on the test.
You could have a 5.2 gpa and be in a college-level math class at your local community college. However, if you don’t learn how to do the style of math questions on the SAT or ACT, you probably won’t score very well.
I’ve seen this a lot. Sometimes people are very confident about their understanding of the content on the ACT or SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. But the content is only one part of it. Sure, you need to remember how to use equations for triangles. However, just because you’re good with triangle equations doesn’t mean you’re going to know how to do the style of questions on these tests.
So in an effort to avoid wasting your precious time, study for the test before you take it. That’s my best advice.
Furthermore, let’s consider something else: if you have a bad experience taking the test the first time because you didn’t study for it, then that bad experience could influence your subsequent tests that you take.
(And if you’re not sure what the word “subsequent” means, then you really need to study for these tests. Because that word is used in the English, Reading, Writing, and even Math sections of these tests. Lots of little details, my friends!)
Studying for the test before you take it is the only way to get an accurate portrayal of your performance and proficiencies.
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Don’t sleep on this. You need time to master these tests, it doesn’t happen overnight.