| Comparing the ACT®, the SAT®, and the New SAT®.
Both the ACT and the SAT are nationally administered standardized tests that help colleges evaluate candidates. Also important to consider, a new SAT will debut in March 2016. As you begin to think about college and creating the best application package possible, your admissions plan should begin with the question, "Which test should I take?"
Get to know the tests, so you can decide what test you should take
Test Structure and Format
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ACT
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SAT
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New SAT
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Length
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3 hours, 35 min (with optional Writing Test)
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3 hours, 45 minutes
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3 hours, 50 minutes (with optional Essay)
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Structure
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4 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) plus an Optional Essay
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10 sections (3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 2 Writing, 1 Essay, and 1 unscored Experimental section)
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4 sections (Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, Math without a calculator, Math with a calculator) plus an Optional Essay
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Scoring
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ACT
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SAT
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New SAT
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Score
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Composite of 1-36 based on average scores from the 4 test sections
4 scores of 1-36 for each test
Optional Writing Test score of 1-36 (not included in the overall)
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Total score range of 600-2400 based on adding scores from 3 subjects
3 scores of 200-800 for each subject
Score of 0-12 for the Essay
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Score is out of 1600: 800 for Math, 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Optional Essay receives a separate score
Subscores and insight scores available
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Wrong Answer Penalty
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No penalty for wrong answers
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¼ point subtracted from your raw score for each wrong answer (except for Math Grid-Ins)
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No penalty for wrong answers
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Sending Score History
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You decide which score is sent
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Generally, you decide which score is sent, but some colleges require you send all scores
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Not yet known
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Content
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ACT
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SAT
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New SAT
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Reading
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Reading Comprehension
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Reading Comprehension
Sentence Completions
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Reading Comprehension
Words in Context
Evidence Based
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Math
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Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Algebra II
Trigonometry
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Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Algebra II
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Algebra
Data Analysis
Geometry
Trigonometry
Algebra II
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Science
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Analysis
Interpretation
Evaluation
Basic Content
Problem Solving
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Not applicable
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Science Insight Score
Provided
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Writing and Language
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The Essay: Writing Test
English Test: Writing & Language multiple-choice questions
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Writing Tests
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Tests grammatical and rhetorical skills
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Essay
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Optional final section
40 minutes
Not included in composite score
Topic presents conversations around contemporary issues
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Required - first section of exam
25 minutes
Factored into overall
More abstract topic
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Optional final section
50 minutes
Separate score
Tests Reading, Analysis, and Writing Skills
Topic comes from a 750-word passage to be read on Test Day
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In addition to test structure and content, it’s also important to think about your college admissions timeline when making your exam decision. The current SAT will only be available until January of 2016. So if you are in the class of 2017 and plan to take the current SAT, you need to plan ahead.
See a list of upcoming current SAT test dates here.
http://www.kaptest.com/college-prep/test-information/sat-vs-act-vs-new-sat
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