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Some colleges require that you take an entrance exam. Check with the college you are interested in attending to find out which exams are necessary. Both the ACT and SAT testing programs offer preliminary tests that help you assess your skills and decide which test is best for you in your college planning. Fee waivers are available by contacting the South Hills Counseling Office.
Many colleges do not require SAT or ACT as a component of admission, especially for the class of 2021, due to COVID-19. Please refer to each university's requirements or this fairtest.org to find SAT/ACT Optional 4 year colleges.
Kaplan offers a nice breakdown of the differences between the two tests here. Below is a brief description of the testing program. Visit the testing program websites for more information about the tests, preparation, and sample questions and using your scores for college and career planning.
SAT
SAT
The College Board offers the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and the PSAT. The SAT includes Evidence-Based Reading, Mathematics, and an optional Essay. Typically, students take the SAT test as juniors and/or seniors, and may take a Subject Test after studying a specific subject.
The SAT tests the skills you are learning in school: reading, writing and math.
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: Includes reading passages and improving sentence grammar and usage
Mathematics: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Advanced Math
Essay (Optional): Includes a 50-minute timed essay analyzing a source
ACT
ACT
The ACT college admission test is accepted by nearly all 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of tests in 4 subject areas, plus an optional writing test.
English: Grammar and word usage
Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry
Reading Comprehension: Reading comprehension in multiple subject areas
Science: Understanding scientific information in a variety of methods (text, charts, etc.)
Writing (Optional)- Includes a 40-minute timed essay
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