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All scholars need to take college entrance exams in spring of their junior year so there is time during the summer and fall of senior year to retake if necessary.
The majority of colleges/universities require a minimum score on the ACT or SAT to be admitted. To find out the minimum score requirements for the school you are interested in, check the college's website.
How do the SAT and ACT compare?
How do the SAT and ACT compare?
The SAT and the ACT test almost identical material – with a few key exceptions.
The SAT and the ACT test almost identical material – with a few key exceptions.
The ACT tests slightly more complex, more advanced math.
Both exams test almost identical mathematical material. You need a strong grasp on arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. The New SAT has added some of the advanced concepts formerly reserved only for the ACT, but the ACT still tests greater DEPTH of these concepts. Roughly 9 out of the 60 problems on the ACT math section have to do with “advanced” mathematical concepts, including trigonometry, imaginary numbers, advanced geometric shapes, and logarithms, that are tested less superficially on this exam than they are on the SAT.
The SAT and ACT require identical grammatical and writing skills for the English / Writing + Language sections, and for the essays.
Not a single fact or concept is different on one test than on the other. If you learn all the material required for the SAT, you won’t need to learn a SINGLE new thing to get a perfect ACT score (and vice versa). It’s all a matter of strategy.
The essays you have to write are different. Not easier or harder, but different.
Both tests have optional essays that don’t affect your overall score (they give you a separate grade for the essays that colleges accept, but don't normally take into consideration in the decision). The ACT gives you a set of arguments and asks you to pick the best one of the three options, with a bit of reasoning for why you think it’s best. The New SAT gives you a fully written essay and then asks you to evaluate that essay and find the evidence, the reasoning elements, and the structure. Neither one is easier or harder, but they require different strategies – so the material differences between these essays is non-existent.
The scoring for each test is different.
Scores on the ACT are reported in the form of sub scale scores for each section and the composite score that ranges from 1-36. Currently, the national average composite score on the ACT is 21. The lowest you can score on the SAT is 400, and the highest is 1600. The average score is 1000, with the average score of 500 per section.
Please see this conversion chart to see how your ACT versus SAT scores compare
What is the difference between the tests?
What is the difference between the tests?
While the ACT and SAT may seem similar at first glance, there are key distinctions that set them apart. The ACT is an assessment that tests students on their understanding of their high school curriculum. The SAT, on the other hand, has traditionally been considered more of an aptitude test.
Both tests evaluate your skills in reading and math. However, the ACT goes a step further by offering a separate English section, an optional writing section that can highlight your writing skills to provide a more well-rounded assessment of your academic abilities, and an optional science section, making it a go-to choice for those interested in STEM fields.
The ACT’s emphasis on practical language skills, as opposed to memorizing a long list of complex vocabulary, can make it more relevant for many students. The ACT evaluates your ability to understand language in context, which many students find to be a more natural skill. Another significant difference is that the ACT offers support for English learners on every national test date, adding another layer of accessibility.
The ACT is fast-paced and more "time-intensive" than the SAT.
The ACT is fast-paced and more "time-intensive" than the SAT.
ACT Time Per Problem
ACT Time Per Problem
English: 75 problems in 45 minutes. (36 seconds per English problem.)
Reading: 40 problems in 35 minutes. (52.5 seconds per reading problem.)
Math: 60 problems in 60 minutes. (60 seconds per math problem.)
SAT Time Per Problem
SAT Time Per Problem
Writing+ Language: 44 problems in 35 minutes. (48 seconds per Writing+ Language problem.)
Reading: 52 problems in 65 minutes. (75 seconds per reading problem)
Math: 58 problems in 80 minutes. (83 seconds per math problem.)
If you’re capable of maintaining your focus and working quickly, then you might be a big fan of the ACT (and you will have a HUGE edge on the competition). If you get stressed out easily, or don’t work well under time pressure, or need more time to think, the ACT might be your worst nightmare.
How do I choose?
How do I choose?
My advice is always to take one of each test. Try a practice test through More Than a Teacher, or another reputable source.
SAT - visit www.sat.org/register to register for the SAT through College Board.
ACT - visit www.act.org to register for the ACT.
SAT and ACT Registration
SAT and ACT Registration
The SAT and ACT are the required tests for college admissions. Scholars should take either test for the first time in the spring of their junior year. There is no limit to the number of times a scholar can test, but here are some things to consider:
Scholars should take either test for the first time in the spring of junior year.
Scholars should test twice at a minimum. Regardless of the score on the first test, colleges want to see an attempt at improvement.
Report scores before taking the test. Scholars can report scores to a college before completing (or even beginning) an application.
SAT fee waivers are available for those who qualify.
ACT fee waivers are also available for those who qualify; however, you'll need to check with your counselor for more details.
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