feature 13
SAT vs. ACT All test questions answered friday, october 23, 2009
mariamarballi
J
associate editor
unior year has its fair share of responsibilities. Grades matter the most, classes are harder, and college is fast approaching, which brings up the dreaded discussion of the college entrance exams: the SAT and the ACT. When planning to apply to college, there are three basic options. One can choose to take either the SAT, the ACT, or both. Most will say that taking both is the way to go, but certainly not in all cases. Colleges are becoming highly selective, thus it is in all students’ best interests to begin the test taking process now. After taking the PSAT as a sophomore, many students were disappointed with their scores. Studying and practicing could help raise their original score, but the ACT
QA
is a valid alternative and could be the answer for many students. Everyone’s minds work differently, but they are all after one thing: a satisfying test score and plenty of college acceptance letters. The first step is to take both the PSAT and PLAN. The PLAN is a practice ACT. This is a great way to find out which test is most suitable with each student’s learning style. Since SHS only offers the PSAT, find time to register for the PLAN outside of school. This can be done through Lisa Mader, President of Learning Enrichment and Assistance Program(LEAP), or other testing services. Mader also offers various standardized test and college preparation classes. It is in many students’ best interests to take advantage of the many classes available to them. “After taking the PSAT and the PLAN, I realized that
with Lisa Mader, President of LEAP
Q. What are the main differences between the SAT and the ACT? A.The SAT tests vocabulary on the critical reading portion of the test and has 10 student-produced math problems (think non-multiple choice; just solve the problem and grid in your answer). The ACT has a science section which utilizes reading and reasoning skills more than a base knowledge of science. The real difference is on the layout and scoring of each test. The layout of the ACT is more predictable which gives students a greater comfort level. The SAT is a little longer. On the ACT, you are not penalized for incorrect answers. On the SAT, you are penalized 1/4 of a point for each incorrect answer, so students should never blindly guess on the SAT. The ACT is on a scale of 1-36 and the final score is a composite or average of the 4 main parts with the essay being a separate score. The SAT has three parts each scored between 200 and 800 and the final score is a sum total of the parts.
Q. How does someone decide which test they should take? A. I advise most students to take each test once then retake the one on which they had a higher percentile score. LEAP’s rule of thumb is plan to test twice, but typically not more than three times when most students hit a ceiling. Both ACT and SAT will tell you, 55 percent of all students have an increase on a second attempt. Why wouldn’t a student at least try for it?
Q. Do colleges prefer one test to another? A. In the past, there was a general preference to one test
Which test should I take?
*fill in the cirlces that appeal to you
More difficult reading section
Tests higher levels of math
Measures aptitude or ability
Measures curriculum achievement
Tests vocabulary
Contains science section
Longer in length
Tight on time
SAT ACT
More time to complete sections
Analyzing graphs and charts
Penalty for incorrect answers
Guess when in doubt
Testing Checklist
Take the PSAT and PLAN
Choose which test (or both) you want to send to colleges, depending on which score was better Prepare for the test using study books or online resources Retake the test no more than three times to achieve the desired score Send off the final results
all images by maria marballi
over the other based on selectivity of schools or regional differences. Today, that is simply not true in most every case. The ACT is rapidly on track to overtake the SAT in the number of students taking the test. A little over a decade ago when LEAP was founded, Ivy League schools did not accept the ACT. Today, every Ivy League school accepts the ACT on par with the SAT.
the ACT is the test for me,” said Emily Mondro, 11. During sophomore and junior years, students should heavily invest their time in taking practice tests. After taking each practice test once, choose the one that came back with better results and take that official test to send to colleges. Taking the real test three times is ideal. 55 percent of students raise their scores on the second attempt, but teens rarely improve their score after the third attempt. “After I took the PSAT for the second time, I am positive that I raised my score,” said Adam Reinhart, 11. Registering for the SAT can be done by logging onto www.collegeboard.com. For the ACT, log onto www.act. org. In the interview below, Mader discusses frequently asked questions that will sort out any confusion and put you on the path to success.
CASSIE MILLER, 11 GETS ready to prepare for the SAT and ACT using multiple study books. There are a variety of different book options such as The Princeton Review and McGraw Hill.