| |
SAT |
ACT |
| How often is it administered? |
Seven times per year |
Six times per year |
| What is the test structure? |
Ten-section exam: three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental, the Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. |
Five-section exam: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional), the Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly experimental |
| What is the test content? |
Math: up to 9th-grade basic geometry and Algebra II
Critical Reading: Sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension
Writing: an essay and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice |
Math: up to trigonometry
Science: charts, experiments
REading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science
English: stresses grammar
Writing: an essay |
Is there a penalty for wrong answers? |
Yes |
No |
| How is the test scored? |
200-800 per section, added together for a combined score--a 2400 is the highest possible combined score |
1-36 for each subject ,averaged together for a composite score--a 36 is the highest possible composite score |
| Are all scores sent to schools? |
Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to a specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken |
No. There is a "Score Choice" option Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see. |
| Are there other uses for the exams? |
Scholarship purposes
Certain statewide testing programs |
Scholarship purposes
Certain statewide testing programs |
| Best time to register? |
At least six weeks before the test date |
At least four weeks before the test date |
| Need more information? |
The College Board collegeboard.com |
ACT, INC. (319)337-1000.
ACTStudent.org |
