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SAT or ACT? Which to choose?

ACT

SAT

Length

3 hours, 25 minutes (including the 30-minute optional writing test

3 hours, 45 minutes

Sections

4 test sections (5 with the optional essay, known as the writing test)

10 sections

Areas Tested

English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (optional)

Critical Reading, Math, Writing (includes the essay)

Reading (ACT)/Critical Reading (SAT)

4 reading comprehension passages, 10 questions per passage

Mix of reading comprehension and sentence completion questions that require vocabulary expertise

Science

Science (analysis, interpretation, evaluation, problem solving) covered

Science not included

Math

Math accounts for ¼ overall score

Math accounts for 1/3 overall score

Essay

Last thing you do (optional); 30 minutes (not included in composite score)

First thing you do: 25 minutes (factored into overall score)

Scoring

Total composite score of 1-36 (based on average of 4 tests)

4 scores of 1-36 for each test

Score of 0-12 for the optional essay

Total score out of 2400

3 scores of 200-800 for each section

2 sub-scores of 20-80 for writing, multiple choice and 0-12 for the essay

Wrong Answer Penalty

No wrong answer penalty

Yes, ¼ point per wrong answer (except for math grid-in questions)

Sending Score History

You decide which score is sent

Your entire score history will be sent automatically

The SAT Reasoning Test is a test of the student’s problem solving ability. The NEW SAT added a writing test, a tougher mathematics section, as well as other changes. The new test, first administered in March 2005, requires each student to produce a handwritten essay as part of the new writing exam. The reasoning test is often referred to as SAT I, while the subject tests (called SAT II) measure knowledge in specific subject areas. A student may take up to 3 subject tests on any test date. Not all colleges require the SAT II. Students need to check the specific SAT requirements of the colleges to which they apply. Most college-bound students should plan to take it beginning with the spring of their junior year. It may be re-taken several times. Although schools do see all of the scores, as a general practice they only use the highest combined verbal and math scores from the best sitting of the test. For more information about the SAT visit www.collegeboard.com.

The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. Beginning in the spring of 2005, the ACT began to offer an optional 30-minute Writing Test as an addition to the English portion of the ACT assessment. You take the writing test only if required by the college you’re applying to. The ACT lets the student decide what set of scores they want sent. The ACT has an interest inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options. Often, students whose worst subject is math will do better on this test because only ¼ of the composite score is based on mathematics. It was designed to be taken by high school students towards the end of their junior year.

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Counselor

The Compass Test, given to SHS seniors by Weatherford College, meets the THEA requirement.

SAT or ACT? Which to choose?