SAT/ACTWhich test should you

take?Presented By: Joseph LedermanSchool CounselorC.D. Hylton High School

BOTH TESTS??• In 2009, the number of college applicants who

took the ACT, for all practical purposes, finally equaled the number who took the SAT (SAT = 1.5 million students & ACT = 1.4 million students).

• The ACT is now an equal competitor in the admission process and students are as likely to take it as the SAT.

Why take the SAT?

• The SAT measures two areas. It measures developed verbal reasoning, which are the type of skills that would be measured by reading long reading passages.

• In mathematics, the SAT measures developed mathematical reasoning.

• The SAT measures a student’s ability to understand and interpret information that may or may not have been presented in a classroom setting.

Content of the SAT

The SAT has three sections:

• Math focuses on numbers and operation; algebra; geometry; data analysis; and probability and statistics.

• Critical reading focuses on sentence completion and reading comprehension.

• Short essay is a 25-minute writing on a given prompt and it is mandatory.

Why take the ACT?

• The ACT is curriculum-based. The ACT is not an aptitude or an IQ test. Instead, the questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses in English, mathematics, and science.

• Because the ACT tests are based on what is taught in the high school curriculum, students are generally more comfortable with the ACT than they are with traditional aptitude tests or tests with narrower content.

Content of the ACT

The ACT has four sections:1. English focuses on mechanics; grammar;

and rhetoric skills.2.Math tests the areas of algebra through

trigonometry.3.Reading focuses on arts and literature.4.Science reasoning consists of evaluation

and problem solving. 5.The ACT also has an optional essay.

Costs

• SAT Reasoning Test - $45.00

• SAT Subject Test - $20.00 basic registration add $9.00 per specific

test

• ACT (no writing) - $31.00

• ACT (with writing) - $46.00

NCAA Requirements

• Division I Athleticssliding scale with either test (ACT or

SAT) and core grade point average of 2.0

minimum• Division II Athletics

minimum grade point average of 2.0SAT score = 820ACT sum score = 68

Score Comparisons (According to ACTstudent.org and Collegeboard.com)

ACT SAT36 240035 234034 226033 219032 213031 204030 198029 192028 186027 182026 176025 170024 165023 159022 1530

ACT SAT21 150020 141019 135018 129017 121016 114015 106014 100013 90012 78011 750

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)

• www.Collegeboard.com/SSD• Check with your student’s school and ask for

the SAT Disability contact.• Be mindful of application dates.• Materials are time sensitive.• Not every application is approved.

SAT/ACT fee waivers• Every school is allowed a

certain amount of SAT and ACT waivers.

• Will NOT waive late fee.• Check with the eligibility

standards for each school.• Each student is allowed

two each year.• College Application fee

waivers are also available for schools who participate.

Failure is NOT an option

• The SAT and ACT are not pass or fail tests.

• Tests can be retaken and scores from multiple tests can be used.

• Your students’ body of work is most important.