1. Why Should I Prepare for the ACT and the SAT?
Preparing to take the SAT and ACT

2. What is the SAT? What is the ACT?
The SAT and ACT are nationally administered, standardized paper and pencil tests that help colleges evaluate candidates. Colleges now accept ACT and SAT scores interchangeably. This means that you can decide on which test to take – you want to choose the one that best fits your plan! And in many cases, students prepare for and take both exams.
If you are going to college – you want to take one of these tests – and you can take them more than once.

3. ACT
The ACT takes 2 hours and 55 minutes or 3 hours and 25 minutes with the Writing Test. The order of test sections and the total number of questions covered in each test section never change.
English….45 minutes, Math….60 minutes, Reading….35 minutes, Science….35 minutes, Writing test….40 minutes
ACT scores from 1-36
You may register to take the ACT by going to

4. ACT Test Dates and Deadlines
Registration Deadline
October 22
December 10
February 11
April 8
June 10
September 16
November 4
January 13
March 3
May 5

5. SAT
The SAT is 3 hours or 3 hours and 50 minutes if you write the optional essay
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Sections…65 minute reading and 35 minute language and writing, Math section…55 minute section with calculator and 25 minute section without calculator, Essay Section (optional)…50 minutes
Total Score
You may register to take the SAT by going to

6. SAT Test Dates and Deadlines
Registration Deadline
October 1
November 5
December 3
January 21
March 11
May 6
June 3
September 1
October 7
November 3
December 21
February 10
April 7
May 9

7. So what can you do?
It’s important to think about how to prepare for these tests – learning some test taking strategies, identifying your areas of weakness and getting extra help, practicing how to take a timed test and working on writing skills are all critical to doing well on these tests.
So what can you do?

8. SAT Prep Workshop Saturday, September 24, 2016 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
South Aiken High School
This workshop is FREE to any Aiken County Public Schools student registered for the SAT administration on October 1, 016

9. TCA Prep
Aiken County Public School District has funded a program called TCA prep
SAHS will be developing a specific plan as to how to assist students in utilizing this program both during the school day and from home so stay tuned