What is the Difference Between the ACT and SAT?
February 23rd, 2009 - by
Courtney Federle provides insight into the differences between the SAT and the ACT. Courtney holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, is a former assistant director at the University of Chicago Office of College Admissions, and currently teaches and develops test prep curriculum at Academic Approach http://www.academicapproach.com/
The SAT-What is it?
The SAT is a college admissions test that measures critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills. The SAT lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes. In the U.S., the SAT is administered on 7 national test dates in October, November, December, January, March/April, May, and June.
See http://www.collegeboard.com/ for registration information.
The SAT-Why should I take it?
Colleges and universities use the SAT as one measure among others-high school curriculum, GPA, extra-curricular activities, personal essays, and teacher recommendations-of a student’s readiness to do college-level work. SAT scores are compared with the scores of other applicants and the accepted scores at that institution; scores can also be used as a basis for awarding scholarships and merit-based financial aid.
The SAT-When and how do I take it?
You should register for the SAT by contacting the College Board via its web site at http://www.collegeboard.com/. Beginning in February of 2009, the College Board will offer score choice for both SAT and SAT subject tests. Therefore, when registering, do not elect to send score reports to colleges at the outset. Instead, wait until you have received the SAT score that represents your best effort and then arrange to have score reports sent to the colleges and/or universities to which you are applying. You may send your scores through the College Board at any time.
The SAT-How is it graded?
The SAT is reported as a scaled score from 200-800 for each of the areas of Writing, Mathematics, and Critical Reading; added together a perfect score is 2400. The SAT penalizes for guessing; a quarter point is deducted for incorrect answers. You will receive a scaled score for each section of the test. These scores are then added to create your composite score on the SAT.
The ACT-What is it?
The ACT is a college admissions test that measures grammar, reading comprehension, mathematical, and science skills. In the U.S., the ACT is administered on five national test dates, one in October, December, February, April, and June. In selected states, the ACT is also offered in late September. See http://www.act.org/ for registration information.
The ACT-Why should I take it?
Colleges and universities use the ACT as one measure among others-high school curriculum, GPA,
extra-curricular activities, personal essays, and teacher recommendations-of a student’s readiness to do college-level work. ACT scores are compared with the scores of other applicants and the accepted scores at an institution. Scores can also be used as a basis for awarding scholarships and merit-based financial aid. At many colleges and universities, the ACT is accepted in lieu of both the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests.
The ACT-When and how do I take it?
You should register for the ACT by visiting the web site: http://www.actstudent.org/. The ACT offers score choice, which means that no matter how many times you take the ACT, you may select the one score that you wish to be sent to the colleges and/or universities to which you are applying. Therefore, when registering, do not elect to send score reports to colleges at the outset. Instead, wait until you have received the ACT score that represents your best effort and then arrange to have score reports sent to the colleges and/or universities to which you are applying. You may send your scores through the ACT web site at any time. Although the essay is optional, students are strongly encouraged to sign up for the ACT Plus Writing when registering because many universities will require a standardized writing sample. To see if a school you are considering requires the ACT essay, visit its website. Be certain to consult a college counselor before making any decisions regarding the essay.
The ACT-How is it graded?
Each section of the ACT is reported as a scaled score from 1 to 36, making a perfect score of 36. The ACT does not penalize for guessing. You will receive a scaled score for each section of the test: English, math, reading, and science. These individual scores are then averaged to create your composite score on the ACT.
To learn about which test is right for you, read next month’s submission.
