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All 4-year colleges in the U.S. accept the ACT for admissions. Very few colleges require the SAT for admissions. Check with your counselor for recommendations on the correct test(s) for you.
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ACT
Description: Three-hour exam; 215 questions; measures achievement in English, math, reading, and science. The ACT Plus includes a 30-minute writing test. Scores on each section are averaged to create a composite score. A perfect score is 36. Students in the Midwest and South generally take the ACT.
Usually Taken: Spring of your junior year or fall of your senior year (or both, if you want a practice run).
Tips and Strategies: Your score is based on the number of correct answers ONLY. If you aren’t sure, take a guess – it can’t hurt you and it could help. Harder questions are worth the same amount as easy ones. Answer the easy questions first and leave the more time-consuming questions till the end.
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PSAT/NMSQT
Description: Two 25-minute critical reading sections; two 25-minute math sections; one 30-minute writing skills section. Not used to determine college admissions; intended to help students prepare for the SAT. Same format as the SAT, but shorter – a test of verbal and mathematical reasoning. The score range is between 20 and 80, with 80 being a perfect score. The average score for high school juniors is 49. This is a practice test for the SAT.
Usually Taken: During your junior year, though you may wish to take it sooner for practice.
Tips and Strategies: If you do well on the PSAT (and meet additional academic requirements), you may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program (a nationally distributed merit-based scholarship). Only scores from the junior year are used to determine qualification for the National Merit Program.
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SAT Reasoning Test
Description: Comprised of a 70-minute critical reading section, a 70-minute math section, and a 60-minute writing section. Scoring on each section ranges from 200-800 points. Scores on the essay range from 1-6 points. Students in the East and West generally take the SAT.
Usually Taken: Spring of your junior year or fall of your senior year (or both, if you want a practice run).
Tips and Strategies: The SAT carries a “wrong answer penalty.” If you guess right, you gain a point; if you guess wrong, you are penalized. Eliminate the answers you know are wrong before guessing. You can retake the test to improve your score, but your college will send all available scores to your prospective college, including the results of tests you have taken previously. The SAT does not allow students to send only their latest and/or best scores.
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SAT Subject Tests
Description: One-hour test that assesses the mastery of a particular field of study. Up to three tests can be required for admissions. Some schools use the SAT II for course placement; others don’t require it at all. Tests are offered in five subject areas: English, Math, History, Science, and Foreign Language. Scores are based on an 800-point scale.
Usually Taken: Soon after you have finished the relevant course work (can be as early as freshman or sophomore year, depending on the school’s curriculum and the student’s progress).
Tips and Strategies: Entrance requirements vary from college to college. Consult your guidance counselor or college admissions representative to determine which tests you should take.l
