+ sat vs. act what you need to know! junior advisory march 2013
TRANSCRIPT
+
SAT vs. ACTWhat you need to know!Junior AdvisoryMarch 2013
+What are those letters?
SAT = used to stand for Scholastic Aptitude Test, now it stands for nothing specific
ACT = American College Testing
What are these? Timed test on a Saturday College entrance requirement You can submit either test for MOST colleges (always know
your schools) Cost money
+What type of assessment?
Aptitude Test – reflects content used in all strong college preparatory courses
Achievement Test – curriculum based tests that measure achievement in core content areas
SAT ACT
+Structure of Each Test
Ten Sections: 3 Critical Reading 3 Math 3 Writing 1 Experimental (masked
to look like a regular section)
Five Sections: English Math Reading Science Optional: Writing
(required by most colleges)
1 Experimental section (only added on certain test dates)
SAT ACT
+Test Content
Math – up to Geometry & Algebra II
Reading – sentence completion, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension
Writing – grammar usage, word choice and essay writing
Math – up to Trigonometry
Science – charts, graphs and data interpretation
Reading – four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities and Natural Science
English – grammar
Writing – persuasive essay
SAT ACT
+Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
YES – ¼ of a point for each wrong multiple choice answer
NO
SAT ACT
+Testing Time
3 hours, 45 minutes – including an un-scored 25 minute experimental section
2 hours, 55 minutes (optional 30-minute writing section)
SAT ACT
+Scoring
200-800 per section, added together for a combined score of 600-2400
Each section is given a score of 1-36
All sections averaged together to give the student a total composite score of 1-36
Writing – a score of 2-16 and it counts as 1/3 of the total English score
SAT ACT
+Cost
$50.00
There are some fee waivers available for the school year.
If you are registered for free or reduced lunch you would qualify for a waiver.
See the counseling office for details.
$35.00 without writing
$50.50 with writing section
There are some fee waivers available for the school year.
If you are registered for free or reduced lunch you would qualify for a waiver.
See the counseling office for details.
SAT ACT
+When do I take these exams?
Spring of your Junior Year & Fall of your Senior Year
This Spring = Two Dates
May 4th Test Date – REGISTRATION DEADLINE = April 5th
June 1st Test Date– REGISTRATION DEADLINE = May 2nd
Go by the counseling office for help
Otherwise go to: www.collegeboard.com
Spring of your Junior Year & Fall of your Senior Year
This Spring = April 13, 2013
REGISTRATION DEADLINE = March 8th This FRIDAY!!!!
Go by the counseling office for help
Otherwise go to: www.actstudent.org
SAT ACT
+Other Tests You May Have Heard About…… SAT Subject Tests
Are required for some majors and some schools No longer required by the UC System $23.00 per test (cannot take same day as regular SAT)
ELM – Entry Level Math Math Placement exam for CSU and some colleges You will take once you enroll at a specific campus
EPT – English Placement Test English Placement exam for CSU and some colleges You will take once you enroll at a specific campus
AWP – Analytical Writing Placement English Placement exam for the UC system You will take once you enroll at a specific UC campus
+If time allows:
Check out the question of the day:
SAT = http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day
ACT = http://www.actstudent.org/qotd/
Time permitting, wander through the sites.
+Next Steps:
If you think you might apply to a 4-year college or university, it is a good idea to take one of these exams and see how you do.
See someone in the counseling office for help with registration. You are more than welcome to do it at home (need credit card if you don’t have a waiver), but we can help and have fee waivers (with qualifications & while supplies last).
Don’t wait till the last minute – you are REQUIRED to upload a photo. Please allow time for that piece!!!!!
Take advantage of what you are learning in your classes. You never know when you might need it again.