What You Need to Know (or not) About sats and acts

What You Need to Know (or not) About SATs and ACTs

• December 2010

College Admissions Testing

• SAT was traditionally and East Coast test and ACT a West Coast Test
• SAT more common in the area, but ACT participation has increased dramatically
• Most colleges accept both scores
• Some colleges do not require admissions testing or may use it for course placement
• Two-year programs do not require testing

What is the SAT

• First administered in 1926
• Originally an acronym for Scholastic Aptitude Test
• Now just a “brand” – College Board refers to it as a test of critical thinking skills

What is the ACT?

• First administered in 1959 in response to t the SAT
• ACT Inc claims that it measures aptitude and achievement
• More closely tracks HS curriculum

Notes on Both

• The correlation between SAT and ACT scores is between .89 and .92
• This means that most students will perform similarly on both tests
• There can be huge differences for some students
• ACT has “score choice”. SAT has “score choice” at colleges who permit it.

English/Writing

• Take SAT if:
• You have time management issues
• Want a more “macro” essay question
• Are a good writer since it is factored into composite score

• Take ACT if:
• Writing essay first will drain energy
• Want essay optional and not factored into composite
• Want a more direct essay question

Reading

• Take SAT if:
• Good at strategy
• Strong vocabulary

• Take ACT if:
• Fast reader
• Good at skimming text
• Weaker vocabulary
• Need more predictability

Math

• Take SAT if:
• Can solve problems multiple ways
• Like “mental sprints”
• Can combine math from different levels
• Good reasoning and critical thinking

• Take ACT if:
• Good familiarity of classroom math
• Benefit from straightforward questions

Science

• Take SAT Subject if:
• School requires it
• Very strong in a specific science
• Strong content knowledge

• Take ACT if:
• Good at interpreting info and making conclusions
• Good score here can pull up composite

SAT vs. ACT

• SAT is:
• More vocab heavy
• Math requires reasoning and combined concepts
• Essay required and part of total score
• More sections that are shorter in length
• Switch between tested areas
• Schools will look at section scores AND total score
• Fewer charts and data sets
• Requires careful reading on all sections
• Good for good test takers with good strategies

• ACT is:
• More straightforward
• Assess reasoning through science
• More advanced math, but only a few questions
• Essay optional
• Fewer sections that are longer
• All questions in an area presented at one time
• More “big picture” – total score most important
• Good for students who work hard and benefit from review of concepts
• Good for students who need predictability

Accommodations

• Accommodations available on both tests
• Not flagged on score reports
• Most common is 50% Extended Time (Time and a Half)
• All other accommodations are much harder to obtain
• Having accommodation in school does not mean you will receive it on SAT or ACT

Sample Accommodations

• Extended Time
• Use of a computer (no spell or grammar check)
• Scribe
• Enlarged print
• Enlarged scantron

• Longer breaks
• Individual testing
• Testing over multiple days
• Braille
• Small group testing
• Reader

How to Apply for Accommodations SAT

• Complete consent form with case manager (by Spring of 10th grade)
• Case Manager will apply online
• Takes 6+ weeks for approval depending on documentation needed
• Will be notified by mail and email to Case Manager
• Will be assigned SSD Number that can be used when registering for all PSAT, SAT and AP tests through graduation

How to Apply for Accommodations ACT

• Decide on testing date
• Go to ACT.ORG and search for students with disabilities
• Complete application for Extended Time National Testing or Special Testing
• Both forms have sections to be completed at school by case manager and may need documentation
• Both forms have different submission directions and addresses
• Must be done EARLY!

How to Increase the Odds of Being Approved

• Apply early to allow time to submit additional documentation or to appeal
• Have updated assessments and/or documentation (within three years for testing and within one for medical and psychiatric diagnoses)
• The accommodations need to be used regularly in school

Other Options to SAT/ACT

• Score Optional Colleges (fairtest.org): These schools do not require SAT or ACT for admission. Some may request it for course placement only (in lieu of placement testing)
• Two-Year Colleges: Most have transfer agreements with several to many prestigious four year programs as long as the student achieves certain criteria (like GPA).

Thanks for Coming

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