1. Counselor Breakfast Cracking the SAT and ACT
Edward Carroll
National Content Director of SAT
The Princeton Review

2. Welcome Today’s Agenda The SAT and the ACT
What are the differences between the tests?
Which test is better?
Quick note about some recent changes in admissions
What can The Princeton Review do for your school?

3. SAT and ACT in the USA ACT is growing
How many of you have more ACT takers? More SAT takers?
(to find #s for your state, go to: and
Example: In AZ, 34% of kids took the SAT in 2001; 32% in % took the ACT in 2001; 18% in 2006.

4. First, the SAT
SAT *used* to stand for Scholastic Aptitude/Assessment Test—it doesn’t stand for anything anymore
3 hour and 45 minute exam
10 sections
3 Critical Reading Sections
3 Math Sections
3 Writing Sections
1 Experimental Section
Scored range is a in three sections
Total score is between a 600 and a 2400
average score for class of 2007 was 1511, a decline of 7 points (3M, 3W, 1C)
Nearly 1.5 million students (1,494,531) in the class of 2007 took the SAT, and minority students comprised nearly four out of 10 test-takers.
SAT Takers in the Class of 2007
The SAT takers in the class of 2007 are the most diverse group on record, with minority students comprising 39 percent.
There are more African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic SAT takers in the class of 2007 than in any previous class.
Hispanic students represent the largest and fastest growing minority group.
There are also more SAT takers in this year's class for whom English is not exclusively their first language learned, compared to previous years' SAT takers. In the class of 2007, 24 percent of students did not have English exclusively as their first language, compared to 17 percent in 1997, and 13 percent in 1987.
Thirty-five percent of this year's class will be the first in their families to attend college.
Females comprise 54 percent of SAT takers and males comprise 46 percent.
Of additional interest, during the past two years, among all students taking the SAT, there has been a 31 percent increase in the number of students receiving SAT fee waivers. Over the past year among all students taking the SAT, nearly 324,000 students, or one out of every nine, received a fee waiver and qualified to take the SAT at no charge. A student's eligibility for a fee waiver is primarily determined using the USDA income eligibility chart for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program.

5. The SAT Offered 7 times a year
January*
March/April (in 2008, March 1st)
May*
June
October*
November
December
Students can register for the SAT through College Board’s website:
The SAT costs $43 and includes 4 score reports; Question and Answer Service available in January, May, and October for $18
No Subject Tests in March
Question and Answer Service means kids can get a copy of their test booklet. They should if they will be re-testing; that way they can see what they missed and review.
Other fees:
$12 to register by phone
$21 change fee
$22 late fee
$37 standby fee
$12 scores by phone
$9.50 per additional score report
$50 multiple choice score verification
$50 essay score verification

6. The SAT: Math Section The Math Section
Score range is between a The average for class of 2007 was 515.
Two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section
44 multiple-choice and 10 grid-ins
Geometry, Algebra, and Arithmetic
A couple of Algebra II questions
While triangles are tested on the SAT, students won’t need trigonometry to solve them
Students can use calculators
670 is 89th percentile; 680 is 91st
The long-term trend in mathematics scores is up, rising from 501, 20 years ago to 511, 10 years ago to 515 this year. Mathematics scores hit an all-time high of 520 in 2005, before slipping in 2006 and 2007.
When compared to 10 years ago, more students are taking precalculus and calculus. In 2007, 53 percent of students reported taking precalculus, compared to 40 percent 10 years ago. The percentage of students taking calculus rose from 23 percent to 30 percent during the same time period. While both males and females are taking more challenging math courses, a greater proportion of males continue to enroll in these courses and the score gap in mathematics persists. In 2007, females scored 499 on the mathematics section and males scored 533.

7. The SAT: Critical Reading
The Critical Reading Section
Score range is between 200 and 800 points. The average score for class of 2007 was 503.
Two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section
48 reading comprehension questions
19 sentence completion questions
Passage-Based Reading
Students asked to read short and long passages followed by some multiple-choice questions.
Sentence Completions
Students are presented with an incomplete sentence and are asked to finish it with the correct word or words.
660 is 90th percentile
While the long-term trend for critical reading scores has been essentially flat, some racial/ethnic groups saw score increases in critical reading this year. Asian-Americans (+4), Mexican-Americans (+1), Other Hispanics (+1) and Other (+3) students all saw gains in critical reading scores compared to last year. Critical reading scores for females held steady at 502, while scores for males slipped by 1 point to 504 compared to a year ago. Over the last 10 years, the gap favoring males on the

8. The SAT: Writing Section
The Writing Section
Score range is between 200 and 800 points. The average score for class of 2007 was 494.
Two multiple-choice writing sections: one 25 minute section, one 10 minute section
49 multiple-choice questions
Identifying sentence errors
Improving sentences
Improving paragraphs
One 25-minute essay
650 is 90th percentile
Writing score is about 1/3 essay and 2/3 multiple choice
The essay is the first section.
This year marks the second year of scores for the writing section on the SAT, thus it is too soon for a long-term trend to be established. Sixty-six percent of 2007 college-bound seniors reported taking English Composition in high school. The average writing score for these students is 521, 27 points higher than this year's average writing score. The score gap on the writing section favors females by 11 points, with females scoring 500 and males scoring 489.

9. The SAT: Writing Section
Sample Essay Prompt:
Directions: Consider carefully the following excerpt and the assignment below it. Then, plan and write an essay that explains your ideas as persuasively as possible. Keep in mind that the support you provide—both reasons and examples—will help make your view convincing to the reader.
Intellectuals in America and abroad have debated over the concept of success in American culture. Success can be defined quite differently by different people, but few people argue that being successful is not considered valuable. However, some people also advocate the view that something considered unsuccessful can also have some value.
Assignment: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value? In an essay, support your position by discussing an example (or examples) from literature, the arts, science and technology, current events, or your own experience or observation.
Scored from 1-6 by two graders

10. Next, the ACT
ACT *used* to stand for American College Testing—today it doesn't stand for anything
Test length: 2 hours and 55 minutes, unless students choose to take the optional 30 minute Writing Test in which case the total testing time increases to 3 hours, 30 minutes
5 tests (the ACT refers to sections as tests)
1 English Test
1 Math Test
1 Reading Test
1 Science Test
1 Optional Writing Test
Students receive a composite score between 1 and 36.
This score is an average of the 4 multiple-choice sections (The writing score isn’t included in the composite score); average score is 21.2
27 is 90th percentile
Optional essay, 2 graders grade from 1-6 (similar to the SAT)
the average score on the ACT writing test was a 7.6 (the scale ranges from 2-12)
the average ACT composite score was a 21.2 (on a scale from 1-36)
1 in 4000 kids got a 36 on the ACT in 2007.

11. Scoring of the Writing Test
Writing Test Scores
Taking the ACT Plus Writing provides students with two additional scores beyond what they receive if they take only the ACT multiple-choice tests. They receive a Writing Test subscore and a Combined English/Writing score.
The Combined English/Writing score is created by using a formula that weights the English Test score two-thirds and the Writing Test score one- third to form a combined score. This combined score is then reported on a 1-36 scale.
Taking the Writing Test does not affect subject area scores or the Composite score.

12. The ACT Offered 5-6 times a year
February (not offered in New York)
April*
June*
September (Available only in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington )
October
December*
Students can register on the ACT website:
The cost is $30.00, which includes four score reports
The ACT Plus Writing is $44.50.
$8.50 for additional score reports
$12 phone re-registration
$19 late fee
$39.50 standby fee
$20.50 test date change
$20.50 test center change
$16 test information service, can order test booklet (=QAS, available in starred months, but varies and students should check actstudent.org for the latest information)

13. The ACT: The English Test
Score range The average is about a 20.6.
One 45 minute section
75 multiple-choice questions
The English Test includes 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.
Examples of English Content
Usage/Mechanics
Rhetorical Skills
28 is 90th

14. The ACT: Math Test The Math Test
Section is scored between 1 – 36. The average is about a 20.8.
One 60 minute section
60 multiple-choice questions
Questions on the ACT Math Section are pretty straightforward and cover topics from a typical high school math class.
Pre and Elementary Algebra
Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry
Plane Geometry/Trigonometry
Students can use calculators
Unlike the SAT, ACT does not provide students with a formula sheet
27 is 90th

15. The ACT: The Reading Test
Score range The average is about a 21.4
One 35 minute section
40 multiple-choice questions
The Reading Section is based on 4 types of passages.. The passages are usually excerpts from various books and magazines.
Prose Fiction
Social Studies
Humanities
Natural Sciences
29 is 90th

16. The ACT: The Science Reasoning Test
The Science Reasoning Test, average about a 20.9
Score range 1-36
One 35-minute section
40 multiple-choice questions
Even though the word "science" appears in the title, this section doesn’t resemble the science tests students have had in high school. This section presents students with science-based passages and requires that they answer questions about them.
Data Representation
Research Summaries
Conflicting Viewpoints
26 is 90th

17. The ACT: The Writing Test
1 optional essay
30 minute section
The Writing subscore is a number between 2 and 12.
Essay will be made available to students, their high school, and colleges
Just as on the SAT, two readers rate from 1 (low) to 6 (high). The sum of those ratings is the Writing subscore. If the two readers’ scores disagreed by more than 1 point, a third reader resolved the discrepancy by rescoring the essay.
The last section of the ACT.
The high school and colleges to which a student has ACT report Writing scores can also view an image of the actual essay.

18. The ACT: The Writing Test
Writing Test Example
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.

19. ACT: Writing Test Requirements
ACT says:
Some colleges require the Writing Test; others do not. Most colleges will accept scores from the Writing Test even if they do not require it.
Our Take
Students should confirm directly with Admissions Offices regarding their policies and requirements.
AZ: recommended at: Arizona State University, not needed at U of A.
See requirements for schools at:

20. The SAT vs. ACT The SAT The ACT When is it administered?
Seven times per year
Six times per year
What is the test structure?
Ten-section exam: Three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section.
Four-test exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly labeled experimental; the Writing Test (essay) is optional.
What is the test content?
Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II. Science: none. Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension. Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice.
Math: up to trigonometry.
Science: charts, experiments.
Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science. English: stresses grammar; an optional essay.

21. The SAT vs. ACT The SAT The ACT Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
Yes No
How is the test scored?
per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest possible combined score.
1-36 for each test, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score.
Are all scores sent to schools?
Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken.
No. There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see.

22. The SAT vs. ACT The SAT The ACT Are there other uses for the exams?
Scholarship purposes
Scholarship purposes. Certain statewide testing programs
Best time to register?
At least six weeks before the test date
At least four weeks before the test date
Need more information?
Educational Testing Service (ETS) (609) The College Board
ACT, Inc.: (319)

23. Which question is an ACT math problem?
SAT vs. ACT Math
Which question is an ACT math problem?

24. The “Harder” ACT Math

25. Which one is an ACT reading passage?
SAT vs. ACT Reading
Which one is an ACT reading passage?

26. SAT vs. ACT Reading Questions
ACT or SAT?

27. ACT Grammar

28. SAT Grammar

29. ACT Science Passage

30. Why 2 Tests? Competition is a good thing
Exams not only used for college admissions, but also used as exit exams
Most colleges accept either score
Which test should your students take?
It depends
The ACT and SAT will continue to converge in terms of content. As a result, we’ll continue to see increased competition between the 2 testing agencies.
Competition is not limited to admissions testing. Some states use the SAT and ACT as graduate exit exams (SAT-Maine and ACT-Colorado).
As with all competition, this should drive agencies to produce more predictive exams.
A popular example is the University of California (UC) system threatening to drop the SAT as a requirement if the test did not change.
Outcomes and reactions since the change to the SAT- public outcry regarding test length, scoring mishap, and most significant drop in average SAT scores in 30+ years.

31. Why Students Should Take The ACT?
Replaces Subject Tests (for some schools)
More friendly extended time
No vocabulary memorization
Shorter test
No guessing penalty
Score Choice
Accepted by more colleges
Optional essay
More straightforward math
Students who do well on the SAT, will do well on the ACT; but this isn’t the case in reverse. More students can score higher on the ACT.
If a student doesn’t score well on a particular test (English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning), she can ‘hide’ that in the composite score. Colleges look at the overall score, rather than the individual test scores.

32. Score Choice Which scores are reported if I test more than once?
If you have taken the ACT or ACT Plus Writing more than once, we maintain a separate record for each test date. If you ask us to send a report to a college, we will release only the record from the test date you request. This protects you and ensures that you maintain control of your records.
If you wish, you may ask us to report more than one test date record to a college. However, you may not select test scores from different test dates to construct a new record; you must designate an entire test date record as it stands. ACT does not create new records by averaging scores from different test dates.

33. ACT & SAT Subject Tests The Subject Tests ACT
One-hour exams that measure specific knowledge in particular academic areas
20 different Subject Tests from which to choose
Usually 1-3 tests are required by competitive colleges and the UC system
ACT
Many schools will select the ACT in lieu of the SAT Subject Tests, including Duke and Yale University
Our Take: the fewer exams, the better

34. Advising Students
The best way to determine how your students’ scores will stack up is to have them take a practice Princeton Review Assessment (PRA).
The ACT is a great alternative to the SAT – almost all of the schools your students are likely to apply to accept the ACT.
Some students will score higher on the ACT than on the SAT. Some score about the same.
The ACT is not just a last-ditch option – if your students have the potential to score higher, have them take it in their junior year.
Just like for the SAT, if students want to improve their score on the ACT, they should prepare.

35. 1 test or 3?
These schools accept either the SAT + SAT Subject tests OR the ACT.
Amherst College
Barnard College                                                                             
Boston College                                           
Brandeis University                      
Brown University                   
Bryn Mawr College
Duke University                    
McGill University                        
Pomona College                                           
Swarthmore College
Tufts University
University of Pennsylvania
Vassar College
Wellesley College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Yale University

36. What We Can Do PSAT, SAT, ACT and PRA Practice Exams
We administer a full-length practice test to schools and provide each student with a personalized score report. Each school receives a summary report detailing each student’s performance.
Informational Seminars
We offer free strategy sessions for parents and students, either as part of an in-school assembly or as part of a Parent Night or other school-sponsored event.
Professional Development Seminars
We offer free in-service sessions for educators and administrators to provide information about the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and SAT Subject Tests.

37. What We Can Do On-Campus PSAT, SAT, and ACT Courses
We can bring our renowned prep courses to your campus. Course schedules are flexible and written to best accommodate the needs of your school and students.
The following publications are available to your students:
The Princeton Review Roadmap to College Admissions
SAT vs. ACT
No-Stress Guide to SAT Subject Tests