Category Archives: admissions tests

ACT or SAT… or both??

Posted on by lindsay granger
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this post is in response to two questions i received regarding the ACT, and whether it should be taken at all, in addition to, or as a substitute for, the SAT.

first off, you don’t need to take both, as most colleges give applicants the choice of taking either the ACT or the SAT. deciding which test to take depends on your individual skill set and which one you feel will present your abilities in the most positive light. the best way to determine this is to take practice tests for each and see which one you do better on. (and yes, there are ACT preparation materials just like for the SAT. you can find them at any bookstore, as well as on the ACT website.) since college admissions are getting more selective each year, however, it is becoming more common to take both tests and submit both scores with your applications. it can be advantageous for you to do this if both scores are good, or if you did markedly better on one measure and not the other. before making a final decision, and before spending money on multiple tests, check the admissions procedures for the schools that you are interested in to see if they have a preference. you can do this by visiting their websites or even calling the admissions offices directly.

if you are still in the decision making process about which test is right for you, here is some basic information about each.

SAT

  • 3-hour exam that measures verbal, math, and analytical writing abilities
  • skills are divided by section (verbal with verbal, math with math)
  • max score is 2400 (800 points for each skill set)
  • usually taken during spring of junior year and fall of senior year
  • if the test is taken more than once, ALL scores are reported

ACT

  • 3-hour exam that measures English, math, reading, and science reasoning
  • 215 multiple choice questions
  • max score is 36
  • questions are more closely tied to the high school curriculum than the SAT
  • usually taken during spring of junior year and fall of senior year
  • if the test is taken more than once, the student can decide which score is to be reported

how do i prep?

  • take high school courses that force you to use your brain. this will come in handy when you are studying and taking the test.
  • become familiar with the organization of each test, and understand exactly what you will be tested on. knowing the layout will help because you will know what is coming up next, and understanding the content will be an asset while studying so that you don’t kill yourself trying to remember unnecessary items.
  • STUDY!! as stated above, there are a plethora of test prep materials available online and in bookstores everywhere… & some are even free!