Transcript ACT/SAT Which test should you take?

SAT/ACT
Which test should you
take?
Presented By:
Joseph Lederman
School Counselor
C.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 Athletics
sliding scale with either test (ACT or SAT)
and core grade point average of 2.0
minimum
• Division II Athletics
minimum grade point average of 2.0
SAT score = 820
ACT sum score = 68
Score Comparisons
(According to ACTstudent.org and Collegeboard.com)
ACT SAT
ACT
SAT
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
1500
1410
1350
1290
1210
1140
1060
1000
900
780
750
2400
2340
2260
2190
2130
2040
1980
1920
1860
1820
1760
1700
1650
1590
1530
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.