Many students question which test they should take. Historically, most Midwestern colleges required the ACT, and colleges on the coasts required the SAT. Currently, however, most schools will accept both scores. It is a good idea to look into the admission requirements of the colleges that you are interested in to make sure that they will accept the scores of the test you plan to take.
Which test to take?
Although both tests serve to assess your academic knowledge and college preparedness, they are different tests that, in some ways, test different skills. Depending on your strengths and weaknesses, you may perform better on one test over the other.
How they differ:
Source: The Princeton Review 2005 SAT ACTACT When is it administered? Seven times per year Six times per year What is the test structure? Ten-section exam: Three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. Four-section exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly experimental. What is the test content? Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II. Science: none.Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension. Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice. Math: up to trigonometry. Science: charts, experiments. Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science. English: stresses grammar. Is there a penalty for wrong answers? Yes No How is the test scored? 200-800 per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest possible combined score. 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score. Are all scores sent to schools? Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken. No. There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see. Are there other uses for the exams? Scholarship purposes. Scholarship purposes. Certain statewide testing programs. Best time to register? At least six weeks before the test date At least four weeks before the test date Need more information? Educational Testing Service (ETS)(609) 771-7600www.ets.orgThe College Boardwww.collegeboard.com ACT, Inc.:(319) 337-1000www.ACT
Source: The Princeton Review 2005
SAT
ACTACT
When is it administered?
Seven times per year
Six times per year
What is the test structure?
Ten-section exam: Three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section.
Four-section exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly experimental.
What is the test content?
Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II. Science: none.Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension. Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice.
Math: up to trigonometry. Science: charts, experiments. Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science. English: stresses grammar.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
Yes
No
How is the test scored?
200-800 per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest possible combined score.
1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score.
Are all scores sent to schools?
Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken.
No. There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see.
Are there other uses for the exams?
Scholarship purposes.
Scholarship purposes. Certain statewide testing programs.
Best time to register?
At least six weeks before the test date
At least four weeks before the test date
Need more information?
Educational Testing Service (ETS)(609) 771-7600www.ets.orgThe College Boardwww.collegeboard.com
ACT, Inc.:(319) 337-1000www.ACT
Comparing the scores:
ACT
SAT (V+M)
New SAT (CR+M+W)
Percentile
36
˜
1600
2400
99
35
1560-1590
2340
34
1510-1550
2260
33
1460-1500
2190
32
1410-1450
2130
31
1360-1400
2040
30
1320-1350
1980
29
1280-1310
1920
90
28
1240-1270
1860
27
1210-1230
1820
80
26
1170-1200
1760
25
1130-1160
1700
70
24
1090-1120
1650
23
1060-1080
1590
60
22
1020-1050
1530
21
980-1010
1500
50
20
940-970
1410
40
19
900-930
1350
18
860-890
1290
17
810-850
1210
16
760-800
1140
15
710-750
1060
14
660-700
1000
13
590-650
900
12
520-580
780
11
500-510
750
Source: The Princeton Review 2004