It’s Back to School and Juniors are bracing for what many consider to be the most challenging year in high school. In addition to vigorous coursework, athletic commitments and extracurricular activities, many 16-year olds are learning to drive, holding down part-time jobs, and beginning the college selection process. For most, this starts with tackling the ACT or SAT, the standardized tests used by many colleges for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
It is safe to say that neither test is easier than the other. The best way to determine which is right for you is to take a timed, full-length practice test of each type, and compare your scores. Free practice tests are offered at your local high school as well as on line (at PrepScholar.com for the ACT and at Kahnacademy.com for the SAT). You can also find a direct score comparison at StudyPoint.com. The content and style of both test are similar, however the time pressure and types of questions offered by each can help determine which is a better fit for you. Here is a breakdown of the differences between the two exams according to the Princeton Review:
Sections
ACT: English, Math, Reading, Science, Optional Writing Test
SAT: Evidence-based Reading, Writing and Language, Math, Optional Essay
Scoring
ACT: Composite Score 1-36, Individual Section Scores 1-36 each, Writing Test 2-12
SAT: Total Score 400-1600, Individual Section Scores 200-800 each, Essay 2-8
Length
ACT: 2 hours, 55 minutes without Writing Test (about 49 seconds per question); 3 hours, 35 minutes with Writing Test
SAT: 3 hours without Essay (about 70 seconds per question); 3 hours, 50 minutes with Essay
Penalty for Wrong Answers
ACT: None – you do not lose points for incorrect answers
SAT: None – you do not lose points for incorrect answers
Reading and Writing
ACT: Two sections: English and Reading. The English section tests passage-based grammar and punctuation. The Reading section consists of four passages in 35 minutes drawn for fiction, social science, humanities and natural sciences.
SAT: Two sections: Reading Test, and Writing and Language Test. The sentence completion portion has been eliminated and there is a focus on multiple meaning words. There are five reading passages in 65 minutes that are drawn from historical or scientific documents, and may include informational graphics such as charts.
Math
ACT: One 60-minute section that incorporates Arithmetic, Algebra l & ll, Geometry, Trigonometry and Probability & Statistics. Use of a calculator is allowed on all questions.
SAT: Two sections totaling 80 minutes that incorporate Arithmetic, Algebra l & ll, Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis. Use of a calculator is only allowed on one of the two sections.
Essay
ACT: The Writing Test is optional and lasts for 40 minutes. Students need to write about perspectives on an issue relevant to high school students and evaluate and analyze multiple perspectives on that issue; scored on ideas and analysis, development and support, organization and language use.
SAT: The Essay is optional and lasts for 50 minutes. Students are provided with a substantial passage (600-700 words) and asked to analyze how the author built his or her argument. Students should have a good understanding of the techniques the author uses to write persuasively.
More Information
ACT: www.act.org
SAT: www.collegeboard.com
Although the majority of US colleges and universities use these tests, it is important to note that many are joining the test optional movement, either de-emphasizing or eliminating them altogether. More and more schools are questioning whether or not the ACT and SAT are valid predictors of college success, arguing that high school performance is a much stronger indicator. Others cite that the test optional pathway improves campus diversity. As the debate continues, it is wise to know that unless you are applying exclusively to test optional schools, it is worth understanding the differences and determining which test is the best fit for you.