+

SAT vs. ACTWhat you need to know!Junior AdvisoryMarch 2013

+What are those letters?

SAT = used to stand for Scholastic Aptitude Test, now it stands for nothing specific

ACT = American College Testing

What are these? Timed test on a Saturday College entrance requirement You can submit either test for MOST colleges (always know

your schools) Cost money

+What type of assessment?

Aptitude Test – reflects content used in all strong college preparatory courses

Achievement Test – curriculum based tests that measure achievement in core content areas

SAT ACT

+Structure of Each Test

Ten Sections: 3 Critical Reading 3 Math 3 Writing 1 Experimental (masked

to look like a regular section)

Five Sections: English Math Reading Science Optional: Writing

(required by most colleges)

1 Experimental section (only added on certain test dates)

SAT ACT

+Test Content

Math – up to Geometry & Algebra II

Reading – sentence completion, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension

Writing – grammar usage, word choice and essay writing

Math – up to Trigonometry

Science – charts, graphs and data interpretation

Reading – four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities and Natural Science

English – grammar

Writing – persuasive essay

SAT ACT

+Is there a penalty for wrong answers?

YES – ¼ of a point for each wrong multiple choice answer

NO

SAT ACT

+Testing Time

3 hours, 45 minutes – including an un-scored 25 minute experimental section

2 hours, 55 minutes (optional 30-minute writing section)

SAT ACT

+Scoring

200-800 per section, added together for a combined score of 600-2400

Each section is given a score of 1-36

All sections averaged together to give the student a total composite score of 1-36

Writing – a score of 2-16 and it counts as 1/3 of the total English score

SAT ACT

+Cost

$50.00

There are some fee waivers available for the school year.

If you are registered for free or reduced lunch you would qualify for a waiver.

See the counseling office for details.

$35.00 without writing

$50.50 with writing section

There are some fee waivers available for the school year.

If you are registered for free or reduced lunch you would qualify for a waiver.

See the counseling office for details.

SAT ACT

+When do I take these exams?

Spring of your Junior Year & Fall of your Senior Year

This Spring = Two Dates

May 4th Test Date – REGISTRATION DEADLINE = April 5th

June 1st Test Date– REGISTRATION DEADLINE = May 2nd

Go by the counseling office for help

Otherwise go to: www.collegeboard.com

Spring of your Junior Year & Fall of your Senior Year

This Spring = April 13, 2013

REGISTRATION DEADLINE = March 8th This FRIDAY!!!!

Go by the counseling office for help

Otherwise go to: www.actstudent.org

SAT ACT

+Other Tests You May Have Heard About…… SAT Subject Tests

Are required for some majors and some schools No longer required by the UC System $23.00 per test (cannot take same day as regular SAT)

ELM – Entry Level Math Math Placement exam for CSU and some colleges You will take once you enroll at a specific campus

EPT – English Placement Test English Placement exam for CSU and some colleges You will take once you enroll at a specific campus

AWP – Analytical Writing Placement English Placement exam for the UC system You will take once you enroll at a specific UC campus

+If time allows:

Check out the question of the day:

SAT = http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day

ACT = http://www.actstudent.org/qotd/

Time permitting, wander through the sites.

+Next Steps:

If you think you might apply to a 4-year college or university, it is a good idea to take one of these exams and see how you do.

See someone in the counseling office for help with registration. You are more than welcome to do it at home (need credit card if you don’t have a waiver), but we can help and have fee waivers (with qualifications & while supplies last).

Don’t wait till the last minute – you are REQUIRED to upload a photo. Please allow time for that piece!!!!!

Take advantage of what you are learning in your classes. You never know when you might need it again.