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SAT & ACT FAQ

Which tests should I take?

 

PSAT as a junior - this is a must. PSAT is offered once a year in mid-Oct. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

 

SAT or ACT: Most colleges will accept either SAT or ACT scores for admission. Check to see if the school you are interested in requires or recommends the writing part. If they do, then you must register for ACT Plus Writing. The new SAT includes writing. Students should take the SAT or ACT in the spring of the junior year.

 

What are the differences between the ACT and the SAT?

 

The ACT test measures skills across a large domain, while the SAT will measure fewer things much more deeply. For example:

 

  • In the SAT’s Reading Test and optional essay, students are asked not only to demonstrate their understanding of texts but, in many cases, also to explain their reasoning (e.g., by determining which portion of a reading passage provides the best textual evidence for the answer to another question).
  • In the SAT’s Math Test, students are asked to respond to multi-step problems that are presented in real-life contexts, like those they will encounter in college and in their careers.
  • In the SAT, students are also asked to analyze and synthesize both words and numbers and to find inconsistencies in the information they convey. This is an important difference in what is being measured by the new test.

 

Are there schools that don’t require the SAT or ACT?

 

Yes. For a list of schools that do not require test scores visit: FairTest Website.

 

Are there review classes for standardized college tests?

 

There are many options for review classes for the SAT and ACT through local tutoring schools and other outside agencies.

 

College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to offer free test preparation. Visit https://www.khanacademy.org/sat for more information.

 

Are testing resources available for students with special needs?

 

Yes, College Board and ACT provide information on services for students with disabilities.

 

For College Board, visit: College Board – Students with Disabilities

 

For ACT, visit: ACT – Services for Students with Disabilities