Finding the best SAT or ACT for you!
Standardized Testing and College Applications
US institutions often use a comprehensive admissions process, in contrast to many other international colleges. Thus, just like academics, extracurricular activities, and college essays may make or ruin an application. Before You Apply to a US College or University, Check Out Masterclass Space. Nevertheless, a lot of Americans still think that grades and results from standardized tests should be the most important factors when it comes to admissions.
In the past, college applicants have taken the SAT or ACT and hoped for high marks. High scores on either test are believed to significantly increase your chances of admission, even though they differ in a few ways. However, an otherwise unattractive application might not benefit from high SAT and ACT results.
However, an increasing number of people have opposed standardized testing in recent years. Although the examinations are meant to evaluate pupils' mastery of basic abilities, there are actual obstacles to high test scores. Even though they may comprehend the material, some students struggle with the SAT or ACT. Others might not be able to visit a testing facility on test dates for both local and international college applications.
Standardized tests remain a crucial component of the college admissions process, despite the ongoing controversy. Since institutions usually don't distinguish between the SAT and ACT in terms of score requirements, students can take either test. But today's students aren't only choosing between the SAT and the ACT. Students now have more options thanks to numerous institutions and universities. In other words, they are starting to become optional.
A test-optional school: what is it?
Colleges and institutions that do not require applicants to submit their SAT and ACT scores are known as test-optional schools. A candidate may, however, decide to submit their SAT or ACT results if they have taken either test. Scores will be taken into account as part of their application if they do submit them. Test-optional applications have the advantage of preventing otherwise competent applicants from being disadvantaged by subpar or nonexistent SAT or ACT scores. Those with high ACT scores can also submit them to bolster their candidacy.
The COVID-19 outbreak served as a major impetus for schools to reevaluate their testing policies. SAT requirements were removed for universities like Vanderbilt or Notre Dame since the majority of SAT or ACT testing centers were closed. This indicates that no obstacles were preventing prospective candidates from applying based on ACT or SAT results.
But long-lasting transformation was not always the outcome of this policy adjustment. Many schools that made tests optional during the pandemic's peak have returned to requiring SAT or ACT results. The significant change also brought to light certain advantages of test-optional admissions. Dozens of institutions have pledged to continue being test-optional even as pandemic limitations start to fade from the minds of many.
When is the best time to take the SAT?
As previously said, the majority of students take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year. There are several reasons why now is the best moment. For starters, a lot of students are still looking for universities or refining their choices. Students can realistically assess the strength of their application by obtaining their SAT results before summer. They can then schedule college tours, refine their list, and be ready for admissions season.
Having additional time to be ready for a retake, if needed, is another advantage to taking the SAT in the junior spring. When comparing the SAT and ACT, it's important to remember that they are both, well, standardized tests. A specific set of abilities, such as time management and process of elimination, can help you ace the SAT or ACT. While subject study is crucial, a lot of SAT or ACT preparation materials also emphasize test-taking techniques.
The SAT typically begins in late August and finishes in early June, so be advised that you cannot take it over the summer. You must plan your dates because registration deadlines are approximately two weeks before the test. For registration and test dates and deadlines, visit the College Board website.
Plan your time for the college admissions process, regardless of whether you decide to take the SAT or the ACT. Make sure to review the testing requirements and deadlines for each of your schools if you want both SAT and ACT results. You don't want to retake the SAT, earn a flawless score of 1600, and then discover that it was too late to make a difference.
How often should a student take the SAT?
The typical student takes the ACT or SAT one to three times. Gaining experience with the SAT or ACT format and testing atmosphere is the obvious advantage of this. A student's score can be raised by studying to strengthen weak areas between retakes. Look into your alternatives because there are plenty of tools available, such as free practice exams and one-on-one SAT prep assistance.
Fortunately, the potential for super scoring is another similarity between the SAT and ACT. When college admissions officers take into account a student's greatest score on each particular SAT or ACT section, this is known as super scoring. In essence, students can submit a higher total score by combining their highest individual scores. This is quite beneficial for students whose best SAT scores required a few attempts. Having said that, not all colleges use super scoring; carefully review each college's testing guidelines.
Don't disregard the law of decreasing returns, whether you choose to take the SAT or the ACT. Repeatedly taking the SAT or ACT might lead to test anxiety, and your score will eventually stagnate. Instead of wasting time and money retaking the SAT or ACT six times, use that time to apply to colleges. Additionally, keep in mind that each student's SAT score varies depending on their objectives; it's not always a flawless 1600. Before applying to a US college or university, Masterclass Space
Comprehending SAT Enrollment
You must understand how to register if you want to take the SAT. You must first register for a College Board account. You can then select a testing site. Think about how you'll get there on exam day and which testing venues are most convenient for you. Next, pick a date that works with the timeframe for your college application.
You must fill out all necessary registration forms in order to formally register. You will be required to pay the testing fee, confirm the date and place of the test, and upload pertinent data, such as your name and a photo of yourself. Although the SAT costs $68, qualified students can receive fee waivers.
We advise registering for the SAT at least one month before the exam date. By doing this, you may guarantee that seats are available at your preferred testing location and prevent needless late penalties. Typically, testing takes place twice a year, in the fall and the spring.
Bring your entry ticket, a valid ID, pencils, and an authorized calculator on exam day. Whether you concentrate on the SAT, ACT, or both, you can complete the SAT registration procedure and make sure you're ready for test day according to these guidelines!
Those taking the test for the first time
If this is your first time registering for the SAT, keep in mind that feeling anxious is very normal! But it's crucial to remember that your college applications won't be made or broken by this one test. For many students, taking the SAT more than once is the only way to achieve high scores. Because of this, a lot of students take the SAT in both their junior and senior years.
ACT Common Questions
We will now focus on the ACT as we are comparing the SAT and ACT. Some of the most frequent queries parents and kids have regarding the test are covered in the sections that follow. We'll discuss:
- The divisions, content, and time limit of the ACT
- How to achieve high ACT scores
- Important test dates and ACT registration
These FAQs will offer helpful information about what to anticipate and how to do well, whether you're choosing between the SAT and ACT or getting ready to take both.
The ACT: What is it?
A standardized test utilized for both domestic and foreign college admissions is the ACT. The ACT comprises four sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science—as well as an optional Writing exam, in contrast to the SAT.
- English: 75 questions in 45 minutes
- Math: 60 minutes, 60 questions
- Reading: 40 questions in 35 minutes
- Science: 40 questions in 35 minutes
The ACT takes two hours and fifty-five minutes without breaks, or three hours and thirty-five minutes with the optional Writing part. A composite score is calculated by averaging the scores of each area, which range from 1 to 36. Good ACT scores for prestigious universities go between 24 and 28. A perfect score is 36. The optional Writing portion receives a separate score of two to twelve points.
Think about the Writing portion and whether your chosen colleges require it when comparing the SAT and ACT. Although many universities no longer require it for entrance, this element evaluates organizational and argumentative skills. For example, the optional writing test is not part of the ACT requirements for Harvard.
What is the meaning of ACT?
The acronym for "American College Testing" is ACT. In 1959, the ACT was first released as a substitute for the SAT. Everett Lindquist, a professor at the University of Iowa, created the test to gauge students' preparation for college by gauging their comprehension of the high school curriculum.
The ACT originally assessed social studies, arithmetic, English, and the natural sciences. But the format was changed in 1989 to emphasize science, math, English, and reading. You may observe how the SAT and ACT have changed over time by comparing their respective histories. You could even say that they have evolved in reaction to each other in certain instances. For example, the ACT introduced an optional writing examination in 2005, coinciding with the SAT's addition of an essay section.
Students are free to choose which exam to take because the ACT is now widely accepted by US schools and universities. It should come as no surprise that one of the most important considerations for students choosing between the SAT and ACT is format. In fact, the SAT vs. ACT controversy has been driven by the subtle differences between the two tests. Let's examine what the ACT truly covers in more detail.
What is included in the ACT exam?
As mentioned earlier, the ACT consists of four primary sections: science, reading, math, and English, as well as an optional writing exam.
You might initially see some parallels between the SAT and ACT. Both sections include math, reading, and English concepts, despite their modest differences. Because of this, it's critical to comprehend the main distinctions between the ACT and SAT in these areas. Naturally, you should also take into account the science part, which is the primary distinction between the SAT and ACT.
The English Section of the ACT
Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure are the main topics of this section. You will be presented with a text excerpt and a set of multiple-choice questions for every question. The English portion assesses editing and revision abilities in a variety of genres. While some paragraphs will have highlighted language for you to concentrate on, others will focus on the passage as a whole.
The Math Section of the ACT
Your knowledge of mathematics up to grade 11 is covered in the math portion. Five subcategories—Number & Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Geometry, and Statistics & Probability—will be covered in the questions. Your ability to combine necessary talents to solve challenging situations will also be assessed. The ACT permits the use of a calculator during the entire part, just like the SAT. But none of the math section's questions actually call for the use of a calculator.
The Reading Section of the ACT
The ACT features a separate Reading test, while the SAT has a combined Reading and Writing section. This section's questions are intended to assess your reading comprehension. More precisely, you'll have to show that you can comprehend a text and make sense of it. In this section, time management is crucial since you'll need to read swiftly to have enough time to complete each question.
The Science Section of ACT
The ACT is unique in that it has a distinct Science portion. Data interpretation, scientific thinking, and problem-solving abilities are evaluated in the Science portion. Concepts from physics, biology, chemistry, and Earth/space sciences may be covered by questions. When students were choosing between the SAT and ACT in the past, the Science part played a significant role. However, the ACT is once again evolving, as we have observed in other years.
The ACT recently declared that the Science portion of the exam will now be optional. The ACT core exam will begin to resemble the SAT in the spring of 2025. The ACT core exam, the ACT plus Science, the ACT plus Writing, or the ACT plus Science and Writing are the four versions of the test that students will be able to take.
The Writing Section of the ACT
The Writing part is structured like a 40-minute essay. A prompt and a number of other viewpoints will be given to you to think about. Your objective is to create an essay that clearly and persuasively expresses your viewpoint on the matter. Your essay should discuss viewpoints that differ from your own, in addition to elaborating on your own.
Knowing how the Writing part affects SAT vs. ACT results can be helpful, even if many universities no longer require it. This is particularly true if you wish to strengthen your application and demonstrate your writing skills.
How Can I Register to Take the ACT?
It's easy to register for the ACT. To prevent missing deadlines or paying additional costs, it is crucial to carefully follow the instructions.
Online registration is available on the official ACT website. To manage your registration, examine your scores, and submit reports to institutions, you must create an account if you don't already have one. You will choose your test date, test center location, and whether you want to take the ACT with or without the optional Writing portion during registration.
Provide basic information after registering, such as your high school, your desired major in college, and personal information. Examine everything thoroughly before submitting; your score report will include this information.
The ACT normally costs $69 without writing and $94 with writing. Fee exemptions, which cover the cost of the test up to three times, may be available to certain students.
In certain situations, late registration, changes to the test date or location, or extra score reports may result in additional costs for students. To prevent late fines, you must register approximately five weeks before the exam date. You may still register up to two weeks before the exam date, albeit there will be a $36 late fee.
Conclusion
For additional information about Before You Apply to a US College or University, visit www.masterclassspace.com. Before applying to a US college or university, consider Masterclass Space.
An important development in Before You Apply to a US College or University is the AI-powered consultation app Charviqai.com, which made its debut at GESS Dubai in 2025.
