1. Picking the Right Exam

2. Picking the Right Exam – ACT v SAT
Scoring
Total Scored out of 1600
English and Math out of 800
Optional essay out of 8
Total Scored out of 36
Eng, Math, Reading, Sci out of 36
Optional essay out of 12
Time
3 hours, 50 minutes including optional essay
3 hours, 45 minutes including optional essay
Question Types
Require analysis and critical thinking
Slightly more literal and straightforward
Guessing Penalty
No penalty

3. Picking the Right exam – ACT v SAT
English
Passage style questions
Tests both grammar and rhetoric / style
Includes charts / graphs
48 seconds / question
No charts / graphs
36 seconds / question
Math
Math up through Pre-Calculus
Narrow, deep focus
Emphasis on problem-solving & application of knowledge
Calculator and no-calculator sections
84 seconds / question
Math up through Trigonometry
Broader focus
Emphasis on straightforward application of knowledge
Calculator permitted throughout.
60 seconds / question

4. Picking the Right Exam – ACT v SAT
Reading
College-level passages from literature, history, science, and social studies, including founding US Documents.
Emphasis on comprehension, analysis, and use of evidence.
Vocabulary is tested in context
75 seconds / question
College level passages (or pairs of passages in four categories: Prose Fiction, Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Science.
Emphasis on comprehension with some analysis.
53 seconds / question
Science
NO SCIENCE SECTION – graphs / charts are included throughout the other sections of the exam
Includes several passages as well as charts / graphs. Students are tested on logical reasoning as well as quantitative data analytical abilities.

5. Picking the Right Exam – ACT v SAT
Essay
Evaluate an author’s argument, especially the techniques s/he uses to make it strong
50 minutes
Analyze and evaluate multiple perspectives on a given issue, either adopting one as your own or presenting another. Back up your perspective with reasoning and examples.
40 minutes

6. Picking the Right Exam – ACT v SAT
These tests are fundamentally similar
English / Grammar
Critical Reading
Graph / Chart Reading
Major Differences
Math difficulty level
Think about your math schedules!
Essay task and timing
Overall time / question

7. Picking the Right Exam – ACT v SAT
SAT is required for National Merit Scholarships
PSAT prep naturally aligns with SAT prep
Colleges, at least so far, do not care which exam students take, and will be able to translate scores between exams (i.e. no advantage to taking the “easier” exam)

8. Picking the Right Exam – Prep For Both, Lean Towards One
In light of all this, perhaps the best strategy is to pick an exam as the primary choice, with a bias in preparation towards it
Use it as the primary curriculum from which the student works
Use the test dates for that exam for planning purposes
Focus on that style of essay
Supplement the curriculum with material from the other exam
Useful, because of the degree to which the exams overlap
Preserves students’ options
Increases variety and can break up the monotony of one-exam prep
Ensures students don’t miss concepts or ideas that appear on one exam but not the other, in line with C2’s focus on long-term student development