ACT or SAT?, a comparison of the both standardized tests. Options

[sprezzatura]

Q: What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?
A: Well, they are both standardized tests, and they both factor into the college admissions process. The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. On the other hand, the SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal qualities.

SAT Reasoning Test

Basic registration fee: $41.50
Extra score report (in addition to the 4 provided): $9.50

When is it administered:
7 times per year

Test Structure:
10-section exam with 3 critical reading, 3 math, 3 writing, and 1 experimental.

Test Content:
Critical Reading [70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section) all multiple choice]
-reading comprehension
-sentence completions
-paragraph-length critical reading

Mathematics [70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section) multiple choice and student produced responses]
-number and operations
-algebra and functions
-geometry
-statistics
-probability
-data analysis
It only tests mathematics up to 9th grade basic Geometry and Algebra 2.

Writing [total 60 min. with Multiple choice questions (35 min.) and student-written essay (25 min.)]
Essay: organize and express ideas clearly, develop and support the main idea, use appropriate word choice and sentence structure
Multiple Choice: improve sentences and paragraphs, identify errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness)

Each section is graded in the scale from 200 to 800. The highest cumulative score is 2400. 1 point is given to each correct answer and 0.25 point is deducted for each wrong answer. The experimental section is unscored and it is just a tryout of new questions for future editions of the SAT test.

Score reporting: 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.

The exams could also be used for scholarship purposes.

For more information, visit the College Board website.

ACT (American College Testing)

Basic registration fee: $29.00
5th and 6th college choices: +$8.00 each
Writing test: $14.00

When is it administered:
6 times per year

Test Structure:
4-section exam on English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. The Writing test is optional but it is usually required for college admissions.

Test Content:
English (75 multiple choice questions, 45 minutes)
Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
-punctuation
-grammar and usage
-sentence structure
-strategy
-organization
-style

Mathematics (60 multiple choice questions, 60 minutes)
Measuring mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
-pre-algebra
-elementary algebra
-intermediate algebra
-coordinate geometry
-plane geometry
-trigonometry
It tests all math courses up to Trigonometry (which is a Pre-Calculus, at my school, usually this course is taken at 11th grade level).

Reading (40 multiple choice questions, 35 minutes)
Measures reading comprehension.
Passages based on:
-social studies: anthropology, archaeology, biography, business, economics, education, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology
-natural sciences: anatomy, astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, geology, medicine, meteorology, microbiology, natural history, physiology, physics, technology, and zoology
-prose fiction: intact short stories or excerpts from short stories or novels
-humanities: architecture, art, dance, ethics, film, language, literary criticism, music, philosophy, radio, television, and theater

Science (40 multiple choice, 35 minutes)
Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
-data representation: graph reading, interpretation of scatter plots, and interpretation of information presented in tables, diagrams, and figures
-research summaries: design of experiments and the interpretation of experimental results
-conflicting viewpoints: differing premises or on incomplete data, are inconsistent with one another, the understanding, analysis, and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses

Writing (30 minute essay)
Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.
-one writing prompt that will define an issue and describe two points of view on that issue

The test is scored in the scale 1 to 36 for each subject and the scores are averaged for a composite score. 36 is the highest possible composite score.

Score reports: There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will receive their schores and which scores the schools will see.

The test could also be used for scholarship purposes and certain statewide testing programs.

Fore more information, visit the ACT website.

My Opinion

The SAT could be easier or harder than ACT depending on your own strengths and weaknesses. Choose the test that you think you would score higher on. Actually, you can take both tests to see which one you score better on, but it just costs more money.

You all can reply to this post with more questions, information, or feedback about the ACT and the SAT.

[Relentless]

My teachers say ACT is easier than the SAT. SAT is more critical.