ALL COLLEGES ACCEPT BOTH THE ACT AND THE SAT!

SAT (3 hours plus 50 min essay)

• Reading 52 Q/ 65 Min – 5 Passages
• Writing & Language 44 Q / 35 Min – 4 Passages
• Math (no calculator) 20 Q / 25 Min – 5 grid-ins
• Math (calculator) 38 Q /55 Min
• Essay (optional) 1 prompt / 50 Min – Analyze an argument Breaks – 10 mins after Reading; 5 mins after Math (no calc); 2 mins before Essay

ACT (2 hours 55 min plus 40 min essay)

• English 75 Q/ 45 Min – 5 passages
• Math (calculator) 60 Q / 60 Min
• Reading 40 Q / 35 Min – 4 passages
• Science 40 Q /35 Min • Essay (optional) 1 prompt / 40 Min – Consider 3 perspectives of an issue
• Breaks – 10 mins after Math; 10 mins before Essay

SAT – ACT STRUCTURE

SAT

• 154 questions / 3 hours (plus 50 min essay)
• Top Score = 1600 (sum of 2 sections)
• 1 min 10 seconds per question
• Reading – 5 passages; emphasis on vocab; charts & graphs
• Writing & Language – 4 passages; almost same content as ACT; ~50% grammar
• Math – non-calculator & calculator sections; gridins
• No Science section
• Essay – analyze an argument
• No guessing penalty

ACT

• 215 questions / 3 hours (plus 50 min essay)
• Top Score = 36 (average of 4 sections)
• 49 seconds per question
• Reading – 4 passages; generally easier to read; no charts/graphs
• Writing & Language – 5 passages; almost same content as SAT; ~50% grammar
• Math – calculator allowed
• Science section – 6 passages; analyze studies/experiments
• Essay – consider an issue & 3 perspectives
• No guessing penalty

WHICH TEST SHOULD YOU TAKE? – IT DEPENDS

Which Test Fits Best For You?

Consider the SAT if:

• You read a lot and enjoy it
• You can read and understand complex texts
• You have a good vocabulary
• You do NOT rely heavily on the use of a calculator when doing math
• You have difficulty understanding scientific terms and methods
• You get stressed out with tight time limits
• You are an analytical thinker and work well with multi-step problems

Consider the ACT if:

• You have difficulty reading and understanding complex or historic texts
• You need a calculator to solve most math problems
• You enjoy science and are comfortable with scientific terms and processes
• You are very comfortable reading and interpreting charts & graphs
• You work well under time pressure
• You have a good command of standard English conventions – e.g. grammar, punctuation, sentence structure

HOW IS THE SAT & ACT SCORED?

SAT:

ACT:

Composite Score is average of all 4 scores (rounded up at .5)

HOW IS THE SAT & ACT SCORED?

CAN I JUST SEND MY “BEST” SCORES FROM EACH TEST?

• Most colleges “Superscore” by SAT test section
• Fewer colleges Superscore the sections of the ACT because they use the composite score – most do Superscore composite scores
• Check each school’s website for most current policy on Superscoring – if it’s not on their website call admissions
• To get the best Superscore most students take the ACT or SAT 2 to 3 times
• Colleges are ranked based on the average ACT/SAT scores of their entering class

THE STARTING POINT

Prepare For The Test Based On Your Score Goals

• What schools am I interested in?
  ➢ Particular major, size , geography, other
• What are the ACT/SAT score ranges for those schools?
  ➢ Your score goal should be between the 50th and the 75th percentile for that school
• Are you looking for merit aid?
  ➢ Target schools where you are in the top 25% provides opportunities for merit aid
• What is a realistic score for you?
  ➢ Average test prep increases are 4 points on the ACT and 150 points on the SAT