Transcript SAT, PSAT & ACT

SAT, SAT II, PSAT & ACT
An Overview of College Admissions
Testing For San Antonio ISD High
School Counselors
Office of Research and Evaluation
Which Test to Take and Why?
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SAT, SAT II and ACT are accepted U.S. college and
university admissions exams, used as one part of a
complex applications process.
PSAT is an excellent practice test for the SAT but is
not accepted by schools for admissions review.
SAT II offers one-hour Subject Tests. Some colleges
may require applicants take 2 or 3 of these tests as
part of the admissions process.
Each college and university sets their own
requirements. Students must understand what will
be required by each school to which they apply.
Data Source: The Princeton Review
When the Tests are Offered
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The PSAT is generally taken in the fall of the junior
year in preparation for the SAT exam. It is offered
only once each year, in October.
The SAT and ACT are generally taken in the spring
of the junior year. If necessary, both can be retaken
during the fall of the senior year. The tests are
offered six times each year.
The SAT II subject tests are also offered six times
each year. However, each subject may not be
offered at each administration so students should be
careful to determine when their particular tests will
be offered.
Data Source: The Princeton Review
Test Basics
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All are timed, standardized, multiple-choice tests. The
SAT II Writing test includes a 20-minute essay.
Students will have 3 hours to complete the SAT or ACT.
Students have 1 hour for each of the SAT II tests and 2
hours and 10 minutes for the PSAT.
SAT, SAT II and PSAT include penalties for wrong
answers. The ACT does not.
PSAT scores are the only qualifying criteria for National
Merit Scholarships and National Achievement
Scholarships.
The SAT, SAT II and ACT are used as criteria for many
other scholarship programs.
Data Source: The Princeton Review
Test Details
SAT
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ACT
7 Sections:
 3 Verbal, 3 Math,
1
Experimental
Questions are:
 In order of difficulty
 Less based on curriculum
 Tricky with many distracters
 Highest math level is
Algebra/Geometry
Test is preferred by:
 Private schools as well as
schools on the East and
West coasts
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4 Sections:
 English, Mathematics,
Reading, Science Reasoning
Questions are:
 Not in order of difficulty
 More based on curriculum
 Straightforward with fewer
distracters
 Highest math level is
Trigonometry
Test is preferred by:
 Private schools as well as
schools on the East and West
coasts
Data Source: The Princeton Review
Test Details (cont.)
SAT II
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PSAT
One-Hour Tests on the
following:
 English—Writing, Literature
 Math—Math IC*, Math IIC*
 History—American
History/Social Studies,
World History
 Sciences—Biology,
Chemistry, Physics
 Foreign Languages—
Chinese, French, German,
Modern Hebrew,
Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Latin, Spanish
 English Language
Proficiency
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5 Sections:
 2 Verbal, 2 Math, 1 Writing
Skills
 Verbal and Math questions are
similar to the SAT
 Writing skills questions are
similar to the multiple-choice
questions on the SAT Subject
Test in Writing
Offered only once each year in
October
Scores:
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Not used for college admissions
Are used for Scholarships
Data Source: The Princeton Review
Math—Math IC* and Math IIC*
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Math IC - 50 questions- Assumes
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two years of algebra and one year of geometry (plane Euclidean,
coordinate, three-dimensional).
understanding of basic trigonometry, algebraic functions, elementary
statistics, and some miscellaneous topics.
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ability to use scientific or graphing calculator …a calculator is required
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Math IIC - 50 questions- Assumes
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Two years of algebra, one year of geometry (coordinate, threedimensional). , and precalculus and/or trigonometry
Understanding of basic trigonometry, algebraic functions, elementary
statistics, and some miscellaneous topics.
ability to use scientific or graphing calculator …a calculator is required
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From: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII/popMath.html
Preparing for the Tests
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Practice tests and preparatory courses are
available on the web.
http://www.princetonreview.com/college/testprep
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Information on how to study for these tests is
available at bookstores, libraries and online.
Data Source: The Princeton Review