SAT and ACT Overview
Taking the SAT® or the ACT® standardized test is not the most fun part of preparing
for college. Not by a long shot. But most colleges rely on SAT and ACT scores to
determine your qualifications for admission. Some
student aid programs
use these scores to determine eligibility and award amounts. Look at these tests
as ways to improve your chances of getting into the colleges of your choice, with
the potential of being rewarded if you achieve high scores.
What Are the SAT and ACT Tests?
Your SAT and ACT scores, along with your high school grade point average (GPA) and
other criteria, are used by college admissions officers to determine how successful
you will be at the college level.
The SAT exam is an aptitude test, meaning that it tests your ability to analyze and solve
problems. It focuses on writing, reading, and mathematics. SAT scores range from
600 to 2,400, with each section being worth 800 points. This is a timed test that
currently allots three hours and 45 minutes, and it costs about $45.
The ACT exam is an achievement test that measures what you've learned in high school.
Its focuses are English, reading, math, and science. ACT scores range from 1 to
36, based on the average of your scores from each subject area of the test. Unlike
the SAT exam, there is no penalty for marking incorrect answers on the multiple-choice
part of the test. The ACT exam is a three-hour test costing about $31 to $46 – depending
on the version you take.
Most students take these tests during their junior or senior year of high school.
You can take each test multiple times to attain the highest score possible.
Do I Have to Take Both Tests?
Check with the colleges to which you are applying. Most colleges accept either test,
but some require one over the other.
You may want to take both tests, because it is possible that you will score higher
on one than the other. If a college you're applying to accepts either test, you
can submit the one with the better score.
ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this
product.