1. SAT/ACT Which test should you take?
Presented By: Judith Flores, M.Ed. School Counselor / Career Counselor Forest Park High School

2. BOTH TESTS??
In 2009, the number of college applicants who took the ACT, for all practical purposes, finally equaled the number who took the SAT (SAT = 1.5 million students & ACT = 1.4 million students).
The ACT is now an equal competitor in the admission process and students are as likely to take it as the SAT.
For so many years, the SAT was the more popular test over the ACT.
Students and parents did not have as much information about the ACT as they did about the SAT.
With more information available and more and more students taking the ACT, last year the number of students who took the ACT almost equaled the SAT.

3. Why take the SAT?
The SAT measures two areas. It measures developed verbal reasoning, which are the type of skills that would be measured by reading long reading passages.
In mathematics, the SAT measures developed mathematical reasoning.
The SAT measures a student’s ability to understand and interpret information that may or may not have been presented in a classroom setting.
The SAT helps 2 areas. Verbal reasoning and Mathematics.
Verbal Reason: Ability to understand information that comes from longer passages of reading.
Mathematics: Applying most of the math skills a student has learned through their education.
Some of the information on the SAT may or may not have been presented to students in their classroom. They are meant to apply what they do know to figure out more difficult problems.

4. Content of the SAT The SAT has three sections:
Math focuses on numbers and operation; algebra; geometry; data analysis; and probability and statistics.
Critical reading focuses on sentence completion and reading comprehension.
Short essay is a 25-minute writing on a given prompt and it is mandatory.
The SAT has 3 sections:
Math: contains topics ranging from basic algebra to higher, more complex topics such as probability and statistics. These higher topics are college level information.
Critical reading: Completing sentences and understanding passages that are given to them.
Essay: Students are given a topic to write about for 25 minutes.

5. Why take the ACT?
The ACT is curriculum-based. The ACT is not an aptitude or an IQ test. Instead, the questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses in English, mathematics, and science.
Because the ACT tests are based on what is taught in the high school curriculum, students are generally more comfortable with the ACT than they are with traditional aptitude tests or tests with narrower content.
The ACT is based on topics and information that students have had direct contact with in the classroom in the areas of Math, English, and Science.
Students are usually more comfortable with the ACT because it contains material they have learned in the classroom and are more familiar with compared work that measures what they may or may not be able to learn.

6. Content of the ACT The ACT has four sections:
English focuses on mechanics; grammar; and rhetoric skills.
Math tests the areas of algebra through trigonometry.
Reading focuses on arts and literature.
Science reasoning consists of evaluation and problem solving.
The ACT also has an optional essay.
ACT has 4 sections:
English: Focus on grammar rhetoric skills, which is using the correct word in the correct time in the correct form. Or the ability to use English effectively.
Math: Basic Algebra through Trigonometry, less advanced skills than the SAT
Reading: Using arts and school-based literature.
Science (not used on SAT): Using information and data provided to solve problems.
Essay: Your student may choose not to take this portion. They must decided before they register for the test.

7. Costs SAT Reasoning Test - $51.00
SAT Subject Test - $24.50 basic registration add $24 Language with Listening Tests add $13.00 per specific test
ACT (no writing) - $36.50
ACT (with writing) - $52.50
Some colleges for admission purposes might require students to take an SAT Subject test. This allows them an opportunity to allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where you excel. These are the only national admission tests where you choose the tests that best showcase your achievements and interests. The more information they have on a student the better picture they may have in making their admission decision.

8. NCAA Requirements Division I Athletics
sliding scale with either test (ACT or SAT)
and core grade point average of 2.0 minimum
Division II Athletics
minimum grade point average of 2.0
SAT score = 820
ACT sum score = 68
Division I Eligibility: The higher your Grade Point Average, the lower your tests need to be to be eligible. If you have a low GPA, you need a higher test scores to be eligible.
When you register for the SAT or ACT, use the NCAA Eligibility Center code of 9999 to ensure all SAT and ACT scores are reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center from the testing agency. Test scores that appear on transcripts will not be used.

9. Score Comparisons (According to ACTstudent.org and Collegeboard.com)
ACT    SAT
36        2400
35        2340
34        2260
33        2190
32        2130
31        2040
30        1980
29        1920
28        1860
27        1820
26        1760
25        1700
24        1650
23 
22        1530
ACT SAT
21        1500
20        1410
19        1350
18        1290
17        1210
16        1140
15        1060
14        1000
13          900
12          780
11          750

10. Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
Check with your student’s school and ask for the SAT Disability contact.
Be mindful of application dates.
Materials are time sensitive.
Not every application is approved.

11. SAT/ACT fee waivers
Every school is allowed a certain amount of SAT and ACT waivers.
Will NOT waive late fee.
Check with the eligibility standards for each school.
Each student is allowed two each year.
College Application fee waivers are also available for schools who participate.

12. Failure is NOT an option
The SAT and ACT are not pass or fail tests.
Tests can be retaken and scores from multiple tests can be used.
Your students’ body of work is most important.
You cannot pass or fail the ACT or SAT
If you score better on one section in your first test another in a second test, schools will take the better scores.
Example:
Schools would take the better score in each of the sections.
Your students’ performance in four years for High School will be a bigger factor than his or her test scores. You can retake a test, you cannot retake the past.

13. Some Online Study Tools
SAT and ACT study tools are available at:
Prince William County High School students could also access a FREE SAT online preparation course. For more information visit:

14. Good Luck !