ACT VS. SAT

What are ACT and SAT? College Admission Tests Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) by CollegeBoard American College Test (ACT) by ACT

Why Colleges Want the ACT/SAT National standard measure of ability High School Variability GPA measurements Course offerings One of the only standard measures Other options are typically content driven AP IB CLEP SAT II NOTE: Colleges will look at transcripts, test scores, extra-curricular activities, recommendations, and essays.

Why Take the ACT or SAT? Often required for 4-year college entrance Academic Placement Scholarship Opportunities NOTE: Colleges will look at transcripts, test scores, extra-curriculars, recommendations, and essays.

Which Do I Take?

The SAT: What is it? 3 hour and 45 minute exam 10 sections Critical Reading Sections Math Sections Writing Sections 1 Experimental Section Scored range is a 200-800 in three sections Total score is between a 600 and a 2400

The SAT: What is it? Writing Section Two multiple-choice writing sections Identifying sentence errors Improving sentences Improving paragraphs One 25-minute essay

The SAT: What is it? Essay Example Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below. Frederick Douglass once said, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress. This struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle." He was right. Progress is something that must be fought for; without conflict, progress simply does not occur. Assignment: Does progress result only from struggle and conflict? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

The SAT: What is it? Critical Reading Sections Math Sections Passage-Based Reading Sentence Completions Math Sections Geometry, Algebra, and Arithmetic and some Algebra II Triangles are tested on the SAT, no trigonometry Students can use calculators and get a formula sheet 1 Experimental Section Used as a practice for future tests.

The ACT: What is it? 2 hours and 55 minutes, 5 sections 1 English Test (45 minutes) 1 Math Test (60 minutes) 1 Reading Test (35 minutes) 1 Science Test (35 minutes) 1 Optional Writing Test (30 minutes) Composite Score between 1 and 36.

The ACT: What is it? English Examples of English Content Usage/Mechanics Rhetorical Skills 5 passages to read. Portions of the passages will be underlined and students must decide whether these portions are correct as they stand or whether one of the answer choices is better.

The ACT: What is it? Math Pre and Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra Geometry Trigonometry Students can use calculators Unlike the SAT, ACT does not provide students with a formula sheet

The ACT: What is it? Reading Four Types Prose Fiction Social Studies Humanities Natural Sciences The passages are usually excerpts from various books and magazines. Students read the passage and answer questions about it.

The ACT: What is it? Science Sample Question (after reading a passage) Topics Include Data Representation Research Summaries Conflicting Viewpoints Sample Question (after reading a passage) The experimental designs of Study 2 and Study 1 differed in that in Study 2: a. storage temperature was held constant. b. storage time was held constant. c. germination temperature was varied. d. germination time was varied.

The ACT: What is it? Writing Sample Question In some high schools, many teachers and parents have encouraged the school to adopt a dress code that sets guidelines for what students can wear in the school building. Some teachers and parents support a dress code because they think it will improve the learning environment in the school. Other teachers and parents do not support a dress code because they think it restricts the individual student's freedom of expression. In your opinion, should high schools adopt dress codes for students? In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

ACT vs. SAT: Key Differences ACT FORMAT SAT FORMAT English Math Reading Science Writing (optional) Shorter 2 hours 55 minutes long. Writing Critical Reading Math Longer 3 hours 45 minutes

ACT vs. SAT: Key Differences The ACT asks you to take a stand on a potentially controversial issue and address the counter-argument as part of you essay. The SAT essay prompts tend to present a broad issue that you need to explore using examples from history, literature or your personal experiences.

ACT vs. SAT: Key Differences Scored 1-36 Composite is averaged from the sub-scores. Sub-scores = score from each part English (1-36) Reading (1-36) Math (1-36) Science (1-36) National Average = 21 Scored 400-1600 Score is totaled from the different sections. Writing 200-800 Math Section Analytical Reasoning National Average = 1000

ACT vs. SAT: Key Differences Content-Based Test Straight forward questions No penalties for wrong answers Random difficulties Reasoning Test Tricky phrasing Penalties for wrong answers Increasing difficulty

ACT or SAT? Which to take? Which test fits you? Things to Consider Which test fits you? What resources are available to you? Cost ACT is free once to Juniors at Washburn ACT= $52.50 (with writing) 2 ACT fee waivers available for students on free and reduced lunch. SAT= $51.00 Which test do your colleges want?

ACT or SAT? Which to take? This map, roughly, shows nationally where each score is more prevalent. CHECK WITH EACH SCHOOL TO WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THEIR EXPECTATIONS.

How Do I Sign Up? www.actstudent.org April 28th at Washburn Cost Cost SAT www.actstudent.org April 28th at Washburn April 18th test March 13th registration June 13th test May 8th registration Future Dates September, October, December, February Cost $52.50 (with writing) www.collegeboard.org None offered at Washburn March 14th test Feb 13th registration May 2rd test: April 6th registration June 6th test May 8th registration Cost $51.00

Should I Take A Test More than Once? Many students do better the second time. 57% increased their Composite score on the retest 21% had no change in their Composite score on the retest 22% decreased their Composite score on the retest May help overcome jitters. Better prep the second time around. In between is a chance to practice on weaknesses. Should I take the ACT 10 times? NO. Scores pretty much settle after the 2nd or 3rd time.

Should I Send My Scores? Send up to 4 schools for free. ACT SAT Send up to 4 schools for free. Students can choose which scores each college or university sees. Can send up to 4 scores for free. Sending a score sends all SAT scores to the selected colleges. Most colleges and universities will use your highest score. Some will even super score. It is expensive to send scores later ACT- $12.00 per test date per college/university SAT- $11.25 per test date per college/university.

Average Test Scores (Of Schools College SAT Average Score All Students (R/M only) ACT Average Score All Students WHS Students U of M, Twin Cities 1300 28 23 University of St. Thomas 1160 25 24 Hamline University 1110 21 Gustavus Adolphus 1210 27 Augsburg College 1099 22 20 MSU, Mankato N/A 19 St. Cloud State 1006 U of M, Duluth 1075 Carleton College 1430 31 26 UW, Madison 1280 UW, Stout University of Oregon 1105 New York University 1355 30 St. Olaf 29 De Paul 1155 Loyola Marquette 1175

How Can I Improve My Scores? Naviance Prep Me! Course: Free, can start anytime Prep Guides Free to check out at library and CCC $30 to purchase MPLS Community Ed Course @ Washburn $120 Offered in March and April Washburn Course in May $75 Before and after school. Seat limit is 25 per class. Date TBD. Info to come. Private Tutoring Sylvan, Huntington, Kaplan, etc. Ranges from $500-$5000.

The End QUESTIONS?