SAT’s and ACT’s are yearly tests that are administered to Juniors in preparation for college resumes. Many students commonly confuse the two tests and are unsure as to which would be more beneficial for them. This, in part, depends on the college they wish to attend.
Some colleges don’t actually require you to take either of the tests. Some of the more selective colleges, however, like to see both.
“East coast students tend to prefer the ACT test, but West Coast students tend to prefer the SAT; however most colleges take either, so it doesn’t really matter,” said Ann Bergen, Career Center Advisor.
UC’s, for example, require students to take at least one of the tests, and they do not have a preference as to which one students take, as long as they receive a good score. Students will often choose to take both tests so they have an option as to which to put on their resumes depending on their scores.
Other, less selective colleges, such as Saddleback do not require either of the tests for admission.
SAT is administered seven times a year and is a ten-section exam consisting of three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. Experimental portions are disguised as normal sections so they can get an accurate response. Scoring SAT’s consists of 200-800 points per section, combined to equal a score of 600-2400. (In both SAT’s and ACT’s students receive 2-12 points for the essay). If students wish to send their SAT results to a college, all section scores are sent. However with the ACT, only sections students choose will be seen by the college.
Taking the SAT more than four times is unnecessary and a waste of time. If you don’t get the score you want in the first few times, it probably isn’t worth trying again.
The ACT, on the other hand, is only administered six times a year and includes five sections plus an experimental portion: English, Math, Reading, Science, Reasoning, and Writing. The experimental part is clear and known to students. One of the main differences between the two tests is that the ACT has a science portion. ACT points can only count for you, so the number you get right is your score. In the SAT, incorrect questions are worth ¼ of a point wrong. In addition to the SAT and ACT’s, another test that looks great on college resumes are the Subject II tests. Subject II tests are specifically for one subject students have a higher understanding of. Colleges used to require them, now they are optional. Bergen recommends that students who take an AP class and want to take a subject II test, should do so right around the time they took the AP test, because they already have all the information to bring into the Subject II.
“Taking both PLAN and PSAT might be one way to see which one is a better fit for you, without actually taking the test,” said Bergen.
Some colleges don’t actually require you to take either of the tests. Some of the more selective colleges, however, like to see both.
“East coast students tend to prefer the ACT test, but West Coast students tend to prefer the SAT; however most colleges take either, so it doesn’t really matter,” said Ann Bergen, Career Center Advisor.
UC’s, for example, require students to take at least one of the tests, and they do not have a preference as to which one students take, as long as they receive a good score. Students will often choose to take both tests so they have an option as to which to put on their resumes depending on their scores.
Other, less selective colleges, such as Saddleback do not require either of the tests for admission.
SAT is administered seven times a year and is a ten-section exam consisting of three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. Experimental portions are disguised as normal sections so they can get an accurate response. Scoring SAT’s consists of 200-800 points per section, combined to equal a score of 600-2400. (In both SAT’s and ACT’s students receive 2-12 points for the essay). If students wish to send their SAT results to a college, all section scores are sent. However with the ACT, only sections students choose will be seen by the college.
Taking the SAT more than four times is unnecessary and a waste of time. If you don’t get the score you want in the first few times, it probably isn’t worth trying again.
The ACT, on the other hand, is only administered six times a year and includes five sections plus an experimental portion: English, Math, Reading, Science, Reasoning, and Writing. The experimental part is clear and known to students. One of the main differences between the two tests is that the ACT has a science portion. ACT points can only count for you, so the number you get right is your score. In the SAT, incorrect questions are worth ¼ of a point wrong. In addition to the SAT and ACT’s, another test that looks great on college resumes are the Subject II tests. Subject II tests are specifically for one subject students have a higher understanding of. Colleges used to require them, now they are optional. Bergen recommends that students who take an AP class and want to take a subject II test, should do so right around the time they took the AP test, because they already have all the information to bring into the Subject II.
“Taking both PLAN and PSAT might be one way to see which one is a better fit for you, without actually taking the test,” said Bergen.
