ACT vs. SAT- What is the difference? 

 Students have the choice to take the SAT, ACT or both. Most parents are confused and are not sure if there is an advantage to taking one over the other or both. This blog will help clarify some of the common questions.

 

Does it matter if I take the SAT or ACT?

 

No, both the SAT and ACT are usually accepted equally at most major four year colleges and universities in the United States. However, you should check with the colleges you are applying to to determine if they have a preference. The SAT is a standardized test that is published by The College Board located in New Jersey. The SAT, originally known as The Scholastic Aptitude Test, was created in 1900. Until recently, it was the test of choice on the East and West coasts. The ACT was not developed until the 1950’s. The ACT test was introduced to the Midwestern and Southern states and became the acceptable test to take in those states. In the past ten years, the Act has made its way to the East coast and many students have begun to take both tests.

 

What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?

 

Although either test is acceptable at most four-year colleges and universities, the format of each test is different.

Math Section:

·        The SAT tests on math through 10th grade, while the ACT includes trigonometry and calculus questions .

·         The SAT math questions may require a student to use multiple math skills, while the ACT math problems usually stick to one skill per question.

·        The ACT math section is made up of entirely multiple-choice math questions, while the SAT has some math problems that the student needs to calculate the answers.
   

 

Reading Section:

·        The SAT requires that the student know a significant amount of sophisticated vocabulary.

·        The ACT does not test vocabulary.

Grammar Section:

·        Both the ACT and SAT test similar content in the grammar section, but the formats are very different.

·        In addition, the ACT tests on some additional grammar rules.

Science Section:

·        Only the Act tess on a full science section, which focuses on the interpretation of graphs and charts.

·        The SAT does not test science

Essay:

·        Both tests require the student to write an essay in response to a short prompt.

Length:

·        The SAT takes about 4 hours to complete

·        The ACT takes about 3 hours complete

 

 

Do you need to prepare for both tests?

 

Absolutely, Yes. Although the content of the grammar, math and reading comprehension sections are similar, the format of the test and test taking strategies of the questions are entirely different. For example, the two tests are graded differently. One test encourages guessing, while the other test penalizes guessing. Students need to know how each test is graded and how to approach each test.  In addition, students who take the SAT need to know a significant amount of sophisticated vocabulary words, while students who take the ACT do not need to know vocabulary, but they do need to be familiar and learn strategies for taking the science section.

 

 

 

            Five Tips to Improve SAT or ACT Scores

Familiarity- the more familiar a student is with the SAT or ACT standardized test, the better he or she can do on the test. There are a variety of SAT and ACT study workbooks available in bookstores that provide excellent sample SAT or ACT tests. The SAT and ACT are timed tests. Familiarity with the style of the test, the directions, the type of questions asked, and the skills needed can help students increase speed, confidence and their scores. 

 

Effective Strategies-
The SAT and ACT are tests that can be learned. Not only is it beneficial to become familiar with the type of questions on the test, it is important to learn effective strategies to help increase both speed and confidence to improve scores. Without any additional knowledge, just applying effective strategies in reading comprehension, increasing speed, effective guessing, critical thinking, and test taking skills can raise an SAT or ACT score as much as a hundred points.



Practice- Just like learning a new sport, instrument or new language, preparation for taking the SAT or ACT requires practice, practice and more practice. It is the rare individual who just sits down and takes the test and aces the score.  If you want to learn to play piano, no matter how impressive the lesson, you will only learn to play if you take the skills that you were taught and practice them. If you want to learn to swim, you have to get into the water and practice. If you want to run a marathon, you need to build your skills by practice. The same principles apply to taking the SAT or ACT. You have to get in shape! The SAT and ACT are long, arduous tests. They require strong critical thinking skills, endurance that is only built through practice and familiarity with remote grammar rules, cumulative math formulas, and extensive vocabulary that your child does not use on a regular basis. It takes practice to re-familiarize and reinforce previously learned ( and forgotten) skills. 

 

 Make a study plan and stick to it-It is important to plan time to take practice SAT or ACT tests every week. Each test take about 3 hours. If you don't plan this time into your weekly schedule, it won't just happen. After a student takes a test, it is important to evaluate the mistakes, apply better strategies, and relearn material. Each week the students must apply new and improved strategies to be able to raise their scores. Practicing using improper strategies can be destructive. Most students who play a sport seriously put more than 3 hours practice into the sport. Your student's SAT or ACT score will impact their future. They need to be serious and schedule time to practice, correct, and relearn material. Parents may need to become involved to help supervise practice time.

Seek  professional services if neededThe material on the SAT or ACT tests is difficult. In order to do their best, many students need instruction, review, and to be taught effective strategies to raise scores. Along with committed practice, this type of instruction and coaching can help your child feel more confident and attain a better score. Most students seek professional tutoring or attend group classes to help them prepare for the SAT or ACT. Private one on one tutoring helps meet the individual needs of your student and makes the best use of your time.

































 

How important is your child's SAT or ACT score? Very important.
Aside from grades, it is probably one of the most important factors that will influence your child's admittance to college. Yet, even students who excel in school sometimes have difficulty doing well on the SAT or ACT standardized tests. Why is that?

When your child takes a test in school, it is usually on a given amount of information that has been recently taught. In addition, your child is accustomed to the testing style of the teacher and has time to prepare for that particular test. Most final exams are just a summation of the tests that were taken throughout the school year. This gives the students an advantage and most good students know how to study for a particular teacher's test or exam.

The SAT and ACT are not like school tests and exams.
The SAT and ACT test your child on material that he or she may have learned a long time ago. Your child is expected to remember math and grammar rules that he or she learned and has not used for years and is expected to be able to apply those rules while thinking critically. In addition, the tests are tricky and the format is different from the format of most school tests.

How important is it for your child to prepare for the SAT or ACT standardized test? Very Important. The good news is that most students who prepare for the SAT or ACT tests do improve their scores. 

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