ACT VS SAT

1. ACT VS SAT WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

2. ACT VS SAT ACT---stands for American College Test. SAT---was once called the Scholastic Aptitude Test. • It was changed to SAT Reasoning Test. www.act.org www.collegeboard.com

3. FORMAT DIFFERENCES ACT—is a curriculum-based test. It is comprised of 5 sections testing students on: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science & writing.(Measuring what a student has learned in school) The ACT writing section is optional, although some colleges and universities requires it. Besides the essay, all questions are multiple-choice, and there is no penalty for guessing. Style of Test: More straightforward, with fewer distracters (trick answers)

4. FORMAT DIFFERENCES CONT. SAT---is an aptitude test, composed of only 3 sections: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required writing portion. The test relies more on general thinking and logic than previous curriculum taught in school.(Reasoning & Verbal Abilities) The SAT also deducts points for incorrect answers, thus penalizing guesses. Style of Test: Tricky, with many distracters (trick answers)

5. ACT and SAT: Use by Colleges/Universities • Admission: scores on the ACT and SAT are used to compare prospective students to each other.(Grade-point averages fluctuate depending on the quality of high school & the rigorousness of course work, but the ACT & SAT each grade on a single scale. .Course Placement • Scholarships Institutions may award merit scholarships to students who meet certain criteria, such as a qualifying ACT or SAT score. Public university systems reward students who attend in-state colleges, & the amount of these awards can vary depending on the students’ scores. ACT & SAT scores may be key factors in scholarships granted by private, undergraduate institutions.

6. ACT: Test Structure • English – One - 45 min. section 75 QUESTIONS • Math– One - 60 min. section 60 QUESTIONS • Reading– One - 35 min. section 40 QUESTIONS • Science– One – 35 min. section 40 QUESTIONS • Writing– One – 30 min. section • Experimental—Added to test on certain dates; clearly added on QUESTIONS APPEAR IN NO ORDER OF DIFFICULTY. www.act.org

7. SAT: Test Structure • Critical Reading: Two- 25 min. section One- 20 min. section • Math: Two- 25 min. section One- 20 min. section • Writing– One 25 min. Essay & One 25 min section • Experimental—One 25 min. Verbal OR one-25 min. Math Looks like any other section. Questions appear in order of difficulty. www.act.org

8. SAT: Writing Section The SAT writing section also includes three types of multiple-choice questions: • Improving sentences (25 questions) • Identifying sentence errors (18 questions) • Improving paragraphs (6 questions) www.collegeboard.com

9. ACT: Test Structure • Mathematics Section Covers Algebra through Trigonometry(only 4 questions) Test booklet rarely provides formulas. Calculators Allowed: Most four- functions, scientific, or graphing calculators. www.act.org

10. SAT: Test Structure • Mathematics Section Covers Algebra II & Basic Geometry Test booklet supplies all formulas. Calculators Allowed: Most four- functions, scientific, or graphing calculators. www.collegeboard.com

11. SAT: Mathematics Section • Multiple-choice questions (44 questions) • Student-produced response questions appear without answer choices. Students use their answer sheet to "grid in" their solution. (10 questions) www.collegeboard.com

12. ACT: Test Structure Skills Heavily Tested: Grammar and Reading Math

13. SAT: Test Structure Skills Heavily Tested: Vocabulary and Reading Math

14. ACT: Scores • 1-36 for each subject, averaged together for a composite score. • 2-12 for the writing test • Highest score is a 36

15. SAT: Scores • SAT scores range from 200-800 • Highest score is a 2400 • 2-12 for the essay

16. ACT and SAT: When to Take? • Spring of junior year • Early fall of senior year • Last chance for seniors: early second semester senior year (February test date)

17. ACT and SAT: How Many Times Offered? • ACT: Six times per year: September October December February April June

18. ACT and SAT: How Many Times Offered? • SAT: Seven times per year: October November December January March or April May June

19. ACT: Spring Test Dates 2013-2014 Test date Registration Late Registration December 14, 2013 November 8, 2013 November 9-22, 2013 February 8, 2014 January 10, 2014 January 11-24, 2014 April 12, 2014 March 7, 2014 March 8-21, 2014 June 14, 2012 May 9, 2014 May 10 –23, 2014 ACT: Fees 2011-2012 • ACT test with no writing section $36.50 • ACT test with writing section $52.50 • Fees include score to student, score report to high school, and four score reports to colleges and universities of student’s choice • Fee waivers available: see your campus counselor for qualifications • Test Date/Center Change $22.00 • Late Registration $23.00 • Standby $45.00

20. SAT: Test Dates 2013-14 Test dateRegistration Late Registration Dec. 7, 2013 Nov. 8, 2013 Nov. 22, 2013 Jan. 25, 2014 Dec. 27, 2013 Jan. 10, 2014 Mar. 8, 2014 Feb. 7, 2014 Feb. 21, 2014 May 3, 2014 Apr. 4, 2014 Apr. 18, 2014 Jun. 7, 2014 May 9, 2014 May 23, 2014 SAT: Fees 2013-2014 • * SAT test includes writing section $51 • SAT subject tests $24.50 • Test Date/Center Change $27.50 • Late Registration $27.50 • Waitlist Fee $45.00 • Fees include score to student, score report to high school, and four score • reports to colleges and universities of student’s choice • Fee waivers available: see your campus counselor for qualifications

21. ACT: Website www.actstudent.org

22. SAT: website www.collegeboard.com

23. ACT/SAT: Questions