THE Act Vs. THE SAT

THE ACT Made up of 4 multiple-choice tests and an optional writing test (essay) These tests are always in the same order The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes (3 hours and 35 minutes with the essay) English Math Reading Science Writing 45 minutes 60 minutes 35 minutes 30 minutes 75 questions 60 questions 40 questions 1 essay

ACT: Scoring Scored from a 1-36 Takes the average of the four sections in order to get your composite. Taking the writing test does not affect your subject area scores or your composite score. However, without a writing test score, no English Language Arts (ELA) score will be reported. Some colleges do not want the ACT without writing TAKE THE WRITING TEST! Only get points for what you answer correctly That means you are not penalized for what you get WRONG! ;) GUESS!

This tests your editing skills…. ACT: English Test This tests your editing skills…. Fix errors in grammar and punctuation and to improve the organization and style of five different prose passages Portions of each passage are underlined and you must decide if these are correct as written or if one of the other answers would fix or improve the selection. Others will ask you to add, cut, and re-order text Some will ask you to evaluate

Example For the first episode of its new radio series, CBS decided to adapt H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds’, the story of a Martian invasion of Earth. A. NO CHANGE B. Wells’ The War of the World’s, C. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, D. Wells The War of the Worlds,

Answer: C For the first episode of its new radio series, CBS decided to adapt H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds’, the story of a Martian invasion of Earth. A. NO CHANGE B. Wells’ The War of the World’s, C. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, D. Wells The War of the Worlds, What changes? The Apostrophes.

BAD NEWS: I don’t teach math GOOD NEWS: I do have some information ACT: Math Test BAD NEWS: I don’t teach math GOOD NEWS: I do have some information Pre-Algebra (20-25%) Elementary Algebra (15-20%) Intermediate Algebra (15-20%) Coordinate Geometry (15-20%) Plane Geometry (20-25%) Trigonometry (5-10%)

ACT: Reading Test 4 passages 10 questions each 40 questions in 35 minutes However, there is no specific order of passages, questions, etc.

5 Types of Questions Big picture questions deal with the main subject of the passage or the narrator’s overall point of view (overview question) The main theme of this passage concerns the: A. difficulty of first starting and then maintaining a friendship. B. process of making a new friend and how the friendship changes the narrator. C. problems the narrator has dealing with the loss of her former neighbors. D. differences in the lives led by two pairs of adults who at different times lived in the same house.

5 Types of Questions Little picture/detail questions will ask about a small piece of factual information in a passage (straightforward- one literal answer) According to the passage, the research that led to the development of the small- comet theory began with a project originally intended to study: A. the electrical activity accompanying sunspots. B. water entering Earth’s upper atmosphere. C. static in satellite transmissions. D. specks in satellite images.

5 Types of Questions Vocabulary in context questions ask about the meaning of a word in the context of the passage (read the sentence and infer the answer *Membean…cough…cough*) As it is used in line 58, the word humor most nearly means: A. personality. B. whim. C. mood. D. comedy. Notice the word nearly….

5 Types of Questions Development and function questions ask how a certain paragraph or phrase functions in the context of a passage, how the argument in the passage is developed, or how the author structures the passage. The main function of the second paragraph (lines 20-29) is to: A. identify some of Armstrong’s mentors, such as King Oliver. B. list some of the early events in Armstrong’s developing career. C. contrast Armstrong’s opinions of King Oliver and Fletcher Henderson. D. describe the musical style Armstrong developed jointly with Fletcher Henderson.

5 Types of Questions Inference questions ask you to make inferences based on a logical extension of information found in the passage. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that the woman most strongly desires to attain which of the following qualities from dreaming? A. Relaxation B. Self-awareness C. Entertainment D. Self-control

ACT: Science From prepscholar.com: Although the ACT Science section includes a wide range of science content, it tests your scientific skills more than your knowledge. As the ACT puts it, “the Science Test … measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.” AND GRAPHS! Know how to read graphs!

ACT: Writing You will receive a prompt with three arguments You then need to argue all three points. From Peterson’s book: “You will then be given a number of different perspectives and told to evaluate and analyze each of them for the purposes of forming your own opinion and comparing it with the ones given.”

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Essay (sorta optional) The SAT The SAT is 3 hours (3 hours and 50 minutes with the essay) Mostly two subject areas Math Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Then split into a reading test and a writing and language test Test Allotted Time (min.) Question Count Reading 65 52 Writing and Language 35 44 Math 80 58 Essay (sorta optional) 50 1 Total 180 or 230 (w/essay) 153 or 154 (w/essay)

SAT: Scoring One score ranging from 400-1600 200-800 for Evidence Based Reading and Writing 200-800 for Math Essay score is separate Finally aligned with ACT – no penalty for guessing! GUESS!

SAT: Math Calculator Section 55 minutes 30 multiple choice 8 Grid-in (Fill in questions) No-Calculator Section 25 minutes 15 Multiple-Choice 5 Grid-in

SAT: Math Four question types: Crossover questions Heart of Algebra Problem Solving and Data Analysis Passport to Advanced Math Additional Topics in Math Crossover questions 16 questions Math and real world scenarios in science or history test

SAT Reading Test Focusing on comprehension and reasoning skills 65 minutes 52 passage-based multiple-choice questions 4 single passages and 1 set of paired passages Passages range between 500-750 words per passage or passage set http://www.kaptest.com/study/sat/whats-tested-on- the-sat-reading-and-writing-section/

Reading Test Passage Types Subject of Passage Question Types May Also See U.S. and World Literature 1 passage with 10 questions n/a History/Social Sciences 2 passages or 1 passage and 1 paired-passage set with 10-11 questions each May also have graphical representations of data such as charts, graphs, tables and so on Science U.S. and World Literatre 1 passage with 10 questions

SAT: Reading Question Unlike the ACT, the SAT arranges questions from more general to more specific questions. Engage with the passage before you answer the questions. Information and Ideas Close reading, citing textual evidence, determining central ideas and themes Summarizing Understanding relationships, interpreting words and phrases in context Rhetoric Analyzing word choice, assessing overall text structure, assessing part-whole relationships, analyzing point of view, determining purpose, analyzing arguments Synthesis Analyzing multiple texts, analyzing quantitative information

SAT: Reading Sample Over the course of the passage, the main focus of the narrative shifts from the A. reservations a character has about a person he has just met to a growing appreciation that character has of the person’s worth. B. ambivalence a character feels about his sensitive nature to the character’s recognition of the advantages of having profound emotions. C. intensity of feeling a character has for another person to the character’s concern that that intensity is not reciprocated. D. value a character attaches to the wonders of the natural world to a rejection of that sort of beauty in favor of human artistry.

SAT: Writing and Language Test Focuses on the ability to revise and edit text from a range of content areas 35 minutes and has 44 multiple-choice questions Four passages total 11 questions 400-450 words per passage

SAT: Writing and Language Passage Types Written Language Passage Types Careers Hot topics in “Major fields of work” such as information technology and health care Humanities Texts about literature, art, history, music, and philosophy pertaining to human culture History/Social Studies Discussion of historical or social sciences topics such as anthropology, communication studies, economics, education, human geography, law, linguistics, political science, psychology, and sociology Science Exploration of concepts, finding, and discoveries in the natural sciences including Earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics Passages can also be an argument, an informative, or explanatory text, or a nonfiction narrative.

SAT: Writing and Language Skills tested: Expression of Ideas (24 questions) Standard English Conventions (20 questions) Most prevalent question asks you to choose the best of three alternatives to an underlined portion of the passage or to decide if the current version is the best option.

Sample Question A Life in Traffic A subway system is expanded to provide service to a growing suburb. A bike-sharing program is adopted to encourage nonmotorized transportation. 1 To alleviate rush hour traffic jams in a congested downtown area, stoplight timing is coordinated. When any one of these changes 2 occur, it is likely the result of careful analysis conducted by transportation planners. Which choice best maintains the sentence pattern already established in the paragraph?  A. NO CHANGE B. Coordinating stoplight timing can help alleviate rush hour traffic jams in a congested downtown area. C. Stoplight timing is coordinated to alleviate rush hour traffic jams in a congested downtown area. D. In a congested downtown area, stoplight timing is coordinated to alleviate rush hour traffic jams.

Answer: C Choice C is the best answer because it most closely maintains the sentence pattern established by the two preceding sentences, which begin with a noun and passive verb phrase (“A subway system is expanded,” “A bike- sharing program is adopted”).

The essay completely changed in the spring of 2016. SAT: Essay The essay completely changed in the spring of 2016. Features a source text of 650-750 words Required to read and analyze a high-quality source document and write a coherent analysis of the sources supported with critical reasoning and evidence from the given text This is not an opinion-based essay like the ACT

SAT: Essay Will ask you to explain how the passage’s author builds an argument to convince an audience YOU ARE NOT ASKED WHETHER YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE ARGUMENT PRESENTED!!! Rather, you will write about HOW the author makes an argument.

SAT: Essay As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses: evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims, evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims. reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence. stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed. Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience that [author’s claim]. In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [his/her] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author’s] claims, but rather explain how the author builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience.

SAT: Essay Topic You can count on seeing the same prompt no matter when you take the new SAT with Essay, but the passage will be different every time. All passages have these things in common: Written for a broad audience Argues a point Expresses subtle views on complex subjects Uses logical reasoning and evidence to support claims Examines ideas, debates, or trends in the arts and sciences, or civic, cultural, or political life Always taken from published works All the information you need to write your essay will be included in the passage or in notes about it.

SAT: Essay The SAT Essay shows how well you understand the passage and use it as the basis for a well-written, thought-out discussion. The two people who score your essay will each award between 1 and 4 points in each of these three categories: Reading: A successful essay shows that you understood the passage, including the interplay of central ideas and important details. It also shows an effective use of textual evidence. Analysis: A successful essay shows your understanding of how the author builds an argument by: Examining the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and other stylistic and persuasive techniques Supporting and developing claims with well-chosen evidence from the passage Writing: A successful essay is focused, organized, and precise, with an appropriate style and tone that varies sentence structure and follows the conventions of standard written English.

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