SAT/ACT Testing

  • What are the differences between the ACT and the SAT?

    The ACT test measures skills across a large domain, while the SAT will measure fewer things much more deeply. For example:

    - In the SAT’s Reading Test and optional essay, students are asked not only to demonstrate their understanding of texts but, in many cases, also to explain their reasoning (e.g., by determining which portion of a reading passage provides the best textual evidence for the answer to another question).

    - In the SAT’s Math Test, students are asked to respond to multi-step problems that are presented in real-life contexts, like those they will encounter in college and in their careers.

    - In the SAT, students are also asked to analyze and synthesize both words and numbers and to find inconsistencies in the information they convey. This is an important difference in what is being measured by the new test.

    Are there schools that do not require standardized test scores for admission?

    Yes. For a list of schools that do not require test scores visit: www.fairtest.org.

    Are there review classes for standardized college tests?

    There are many options for review classes for the SAT and ACT through local tutoring schools and other outside agencies.

    College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to offer free test preparation. Visit https://www.khanacademy.org/sat for more information.

     

    Are testing resources available for students with special needs?

    Yes, CollegeBoard and ACT provide information on services for students with disabilities.
    - For College Board, visit: https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabil...
    - For ACT, visit http://www.actstudent.org/regist/disab/

     

     

    Frequently Asked Questions about the SAT

    What is the SAT?

    The SAT is a standardized test used for college admissions. It tests a student’s reasoning ability in the areas of Mathematics, Critical Reading and Writing. Please note that the SAT is a reasoning test; it tests what a student does with what he/she knows.

    What are the components of the SAT and how long is the test?

    You will see the following on the SAT:

    - 52 questions on Evidence-Based Reading (5 passages, 500-750 words/passage)
    - 44 questions on Writing & Language (4 passages, 400-450 words/passage)
    - 20 questions on Math No Calculator (Algebra, Data Analysis, Geometry, Trigonometry)
    - 38 questions Math + Calculator (Algebra, Data Analysis, Geometry, Trigonometry)
    - Essay *Optional* (Read, analyze 650-700 word document, draft essay explaining how author builds an argument)

    The test is 3 hours, 50 minutes with the essay; 3 hours without it. On the SAT, there is no penalty for guessing and no vocabulary that you’ll never use again, according to CollegeBoard. Visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/ to learn more about the SAT.

     

    How does a student register for the SAT?

    Visit: https://sat.collegeboard.org/home

    - Create an account.
    - Make sure you register with your legal name that matches your school records.
    - Keep your username and password in a safe place; this information will be used frequently throughout high school.
    - Consider creating a separate email account (i.e.JohnSmithCollege@gmail.com) for college email correspondence.

     

    Frequently asked questions about the ACT 

     

    What is the ACT?

    The ACT is a second standardized test option for college admissions. The ACT is a knowledge-based test; it tests what a student knows.

    The ACT has up to five components: English, Math, Reading, Science and an optional Writing test.

    The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete (or just over 4 hours if a student is taking the optional writing test).

    Always check college admissions requirements for individual schools, to see which tests are accepted for admission. Most colleges will accept both the ACT and the SAT.

    To learn how the SAT compares to the ACT visit: www.princetonreview.com/sat-act.aspx.

    How does a student register for the ACT?

    Go to: www.actstudent.org:

    - Establish an account.
    - Click on “Registration.”
    - Make sure you register with your legal name that matches your school records.
    - Keep username and password in a safe place; you will use this information frequently.
    - Consider creating a separate email account (i.e.JohnSmithCollege@gmail.com) for college email correspondence.

     

Related Files