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Testing 1, 2, 3: The ACT Verses the SAT
Applying to college can seem like a daunting process. Many students (and parents) find that one of the most challenging hurdles to negotiate involves standardized tests. While the SAT Reasoning test has been the predominant college admissions test on the East Coast for many years, more and more students are opting to take the ACT, which is now accepted at virtuallyall colleges. Additionally, some colleges, such as Boston College and Tufts University, will accept the ACT with writing in lieu of the SAT Reasoning Test and subject tests.
With this in mind, figuring out differences between the two tests can be complicated. Although both are standardized tests and both impact college admission decisions, there are several notable disparities between the tests.
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SAT
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ACT
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Format
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Ten
sections, which include: Three
critical reading sections.
Three
math sections
Three
writing sections
One
experimental section that is masked to look like a regular section
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Four to
five sections, which include English, math, reading, science reasoning, and
an optional writing component. An
experimental section is only added on certain test dates and is clearly marked
as being experimental.
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Test content
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The
math concepts include 9th grade basic geometry and algebra.
Reading consists of sentence
completion, critical reading passages, and reading comprehension.
Writing
includes questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice as well as an
essay question.
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Math concepts include geometry, algebra, and
trigonometry. The science section
tests chart and experiment usage. The
reading section includes four passages (one each from prose fiction, social
sciences, humanities, and natural sciences). English tests grammar and
usage. The optional writing section
involves writing an essay.
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Scoring
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Each
section is worth 200 - 800 points. The
sections are combined to create a total score. The highest possible total score is 2400.
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Each
section is scored on a scale of 1 - 36.
The scores are averaged to create a composite score. The highest possible composite score is 36.
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Sending the scores
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With
the SAT, if a student requests the scores to be sent to a college, all of the
students' scores from all test dates are sent.
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With
the ACT, if a student requests the scores to be sent, there is a "Score
Choice" option, which allows for the student to select which scores will be
sent.
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Writing sections
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The writing
section is mandatory.
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The
writing section is optional (but is sometimes required for certain colleges).
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*adapted from the Princeton Review
site (www.princetonreview.com)
Take both tests for a test-drive
Although
the SAT and the ACT have some similarities, most people find that one test is
better-suited to their personalities and strengths-1/3 do better on SAT, 1/3 do
better on ACT, 1/3 do the same on both.
Consequently, it is wise to try out both test formats in order to decide
which is one is best for you. Some
schools offer the PLAN, which is often referred to as the "pre-ACT," during the
fall of students' sophomore year.
Students can also take the PSAT, which, in addition to being the
preliminary SAT, also serves as a way for juniors to enter the enter National
Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
Try, try again
If at
first you don't succeed, don't give up!
Many colleges will take the best scores for each section when
determining your total score, regardless of how many times you have taken the
tests. However, in order to optimize
your test performance, you should prepare by using a SAT or ACT workbook from a
reliable publisher or by enrolling (and actively participating) in a test prep
course. Also, resist the urge to take
the test too many times; many people have a limit of how well they can do on a
standardized test. You do not want to
waste your valuable time retaking the test over and over again.
Prep work
There are
many ways to prepare for both types of tests.
Options include courses with other students, private tutors, online
lessons, books, flashcards, and even a free SAT prep site (www.number2.com). Before committing to one method, be certain
to explore your choices and select the one best suited to your needs.
Preparatory
programs, offered by corporations such as Kaplan and Princeton Review, can be
very helpful if you are willing to work.
They are particularly helpful for students who understand the content
but need practice and test-taking strategies.
However, simply enrolling for the course will not automatically grant
you a higher score. In addition to
attending and participating in the prep classes, these programs require
homework and reading, which help prepare you for the tests. In short, don't sign up for a program unless
you are ready to devote some time and effort to taking it seriously. Tutors can also be very helpful, especially
if you need help reviewing some content areas and need one-on-one instruction time
in order to master the concepts.
If a
preparatory course or tutor is not for you, you can improve your score by using
a workbook and vocabulary flashcards and by reading a wide variety of
materials. For instance, classics like Jane
Eyre and Frankenstein, newspaper articles, and magazines such as Newsweek
all use vocabulary and prose similar to what is on the SAT and ACT.
Helpful links
Compass: Admissions Requirements offers an
easy-to-navigate guide on what colleges require the SAT Subject tests.
http://www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects.aspx
The ACT
website allows you to check specific colleges to see if they require the ACT
writing section:
http://actrs19.act.org/app3/writPrefRM/
This site
offers free SAT preparation:
www.number2.com
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College Freshman Profile: Abe Levine
This is the first in an occasional series highlighting the
experience of college freshmen. In this issue we interview Abe Levine, a 2007
graduate of Brookline High School, who is attending Macalester
College in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Macalester is a highly selective liberal arts college noted for its political
activism, international focus and Midwestern friendliness.
How is the academic work different from high school?
The work at Macalester is more demanding than in high
school. One big difference is that professors expect students to support their
comments in class discussions and in papers with proof from the readings or
class lectures. "The class discussions are much more analytical," says Abe.
There is also a great deal of reading for each class. "You don't have time to
read everything closely," says Abe. "You have to prioritize what you are going
to read, but your professors are there to help and so are the upperclass
mentors."
What is your favorite class?
"Chinese," says Abe. He enjoys learning the cultural and linguistic aspects of the
language, and, in particular, how different cultures view the human experience:
"The words of comfort the Chinese use when someone dies translates to 'What a
mess' in English," says Abe. "In the east people fear
death less than in the west (Abe acknowledges that this is somewhat a
generalization) because of a belief in reincarnation." However, Abe adds, they
fear living in a manner that will inhibit them from ending the reincarnation
cycle. Abe also sees the benefit
of attending college with so many international students when it comes to
language learning. "Five kids on my
floor speak Chinese so it helps to converse with them."
How could high school
have prepared you better?
"High School prepared me pretty well," says Abe. The areas
that Abe reports to be particularly challenging in college so far have been
learning to refine a thesis and ascertaining an author's single most important
point and then critiquing it. Another strategy that he wishes he learned in
high school was proper note taking when reading. His professors have taught him
to write in the margins and summarize the reading, not simply to highlight with
a yellow marker.
Is Macalester what you expected?
"It's better," says Abe. "When you visit, you are rushing
around and you don't really get a true sense of the place." Now he feels like a
part of the community. "The food is
also amazing." He reports that there is so much to do both on campus and in St. Paul. Abe, who was
active in sports at BHS, has pursued new activities such as salsa and swing
dancing and is learning meditation.
What advice do you have for high school seniors?
Abe strongly recommends that students take advantage of
orientation activities that their prospective college might offer, as well as
mentoring and host family programs if available. He credits this with helping
him develop a core of friends. "Sit down with different groups of people at
meals," advises Abe, who believes in getting to know as many people as possible
on campus. Most importantly, Abe now realizes something that he did not during
his senior year: There is no single right choice about where to attend college.
"I could have been happy elsewhere even though I am really happy here," says
Abe. "It's what you make of it."
Educational Advocates
congratulates Abe for making the Dean's list for first semester! |
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February/ March To-Do Lists
Juniors
- Compile a list of colleges with the help of your counselor. Research and take notes on each college. You can learn more by reviewing books such as the Fiske Guide to Colleges and college web sites and blogs.
- Make plans to visit a few of the colleges on your list. The dates and times of tours and information sessions may be found on the admission page of the college web site. Some may require advance registration so plan ahead.
- Keep your grades up and, if necessary, meet with teachers to develop a plan for improvement such as regular extra help sessions or engaging a tutor. Evaluate your study habits and environment to identify obstacles such as use of Facebook, IM or cell phone during homework time. Remember: your grades are the most important aspect of your college application.
Seniors
- Write thank you notes to the teachers who wrote recommendations on your behalf.
- Keep your counselor informed as decisions come in so you can respond appropriately to deferrals or other unexpected outcomes.
- Register for scholarship search engines such as www.fastweb.com and talk with your high school counselor about scholarship opportunities sponsored by your high school and community.
- Avoid senioritis by keeping your grades up. Most colleges will request a final transcript, and while it very rare for a college to rescind an admission offer due to poor senior grades, it can happen.
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Educational Advocates
1678 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02445
617-734-3700
Joan Kelleher Casey, Principal
jcasey@educationaladvocates.com
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Newsletter editorial staff:
Joan Casey
Terri Suico |
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