Taking The Exams

SAT or ACT? What’s the difference and what’s the point?

SAT and ACT. These acronyms can be scary to high school juniors and seniors, but for most college-bound students, these tests are a necessary part of life. Taking at least one of these tests is required for admission into most 4-year colleges and universities. But how do you know which test to take? What’s the difference?

These tests were designed to test academic aptitude and potential to perform well in college. They are supposed to provide an "even playing field" to assess students for college admission. Every student gets the same test, as opposed to high school where students at different schools have different curriculums and are graded based on the expectations of individual teachers. Scores from these tests are often heavily considered in the college admissions process, especially when overall grade point average is unexceptional. Some scholarships are also determined based on these test scores.

Which test should you take?

Some colleges prefer one test or another, but most schools accept either and weigh them equally. Check with the schools you are interested in before deciding. The SAT has traditionally been more widely used on the East and West coasts, whereas the ACT has been favored in the Midwest, but this is changing. Now, if a college accepts both exams, students can choose the one that most favorably enhances their abilities or even take both exams to increase their chance of a favorable score. These tests fundamentally serve the same purpose, but they are very different tests.

The SAT

The SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test was designed by College Board. The SAT traditionally measures critical thinking and problem solving. It is made up of 10 sections (three critical reading, three math, three writing, and one experimental section masked to look like a regular section). This test focuses more on vocabulary than the ACT and does not test science. Each section is scored between 200 and 800 and all sections are added together for a total score. The maximum score possible on the new model is a 2400. There is a penalty for wrong answers. Some students also take SAT subject tests. These are usually not required by schools, but may help you test out of certain first year college classes.

The ACT

The ACT or American Testing Assessment is a content-based test designed to measure general educational development. The test is made up of four sections (English, reading, science and math). There is a writing section, but it is optional. All of the questions on the ACT are multiple choice and there is not a penalty for wrong answers. Students are scored on a scale of 1-36 with 36 being the top score.

How to prepare for these tests:

• Take college-preparatory courses- These courses are designed to prepare students for college and for the standardized tests needed to get into college. Also, students who do well in advanced classes are also likely to score well on standardized tests.
• Take the PSAT and other practice tests - The best way to succeed in anything, including the SAT and ACT, is to practice.
• Get help with any problem areas - There are usually tutors available to help you strengthen your ability in certain subjects or overall.
• Study with friends - Studying with a friend or group of friends will help keep you motivated and will be a lot more fun than studying alone. Others may provide valuable insight that can help you grasp or learn the subject matter more effectively. Two (or more) heads are usually better than one.