Transcript 2LT Andrew Moss



Andrew Moss
 To
determine whether the ACT or SAT will yield the
best results for getting into college and receiving
merit-based scholarships
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 References
 Background
 Similarities
 Differences
 Summary
 Recommendations
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
The Princeton Review
o http://www.princetonreview.com/sat-act.aspx

Petersons
o http://www.petersons.com/college-search/test-prep-act-sat.aspx

Kaplan
o http://www.kaptest.com/College/SAT/About-the-SAT/sat-vs-act.html

ACT
o http://www.act.org/solutions/college-career-readiness/compare-
act-sat/
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
1900 Formation of the College Board

1917 Experimentation with Army IQ Test

1926 The First Scholastic Aptitude Test administered

1959 The American College Testing company founded

1994 SAT modified

1996 Official name change to “ACT”

2005 SAT requires essay

2014 SAT modified
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 Both
multiple-choice based standardized tests
 Both have fee waivers available for eligible students
 Both offer to send four free score reports at the
time of the test
 Both are now accepted at every college
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ACT
SAT
Test Length
3 hours,
3 hours,
25 minutes
45 minutes
(30 minute optional
writing test included)
Test Structure
5 Sections
English
Math
Science
English
Writing (optional)
10 Sections
3 Critical Reading
3 Math
3 Writing
1 Experimental
(not scored)
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Test Sections
ACT
Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension
Sentence completion
Arithmetic, algebra,
geometry, algebra II, and
trigonometry
Arithmetic, algebra,
geometry, algebra II
Reading
Math
SAT
Science
Analysis, interpretation,
evaluation, reasoning, and
problem solving
Not Included
English
Punctuation, grammar
and usage, sentence
structure, rhetorical skills
Not Included
Writing
Final Section (Optional)
30-minute essay
First Section
25-minute essay
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ACT
SAT
Total Questions
215
140
Scoring
Composite average of
4 test sections
ranging from 1-36
Total score based on
3 sections ranging
from 600-2400
Optional Writing Test
score of 0-12
Score of 0-12 for the
essay
Wrong Answer
Penalty
No penalty
¼ point subtracted
for wrong answers
Cost
$38.00 (No Writing)
($54.50 Plus Writing)
$52.50
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 To
Compare ACT vs. SAT Scores visit:
o http://www.act.org/solutions/college-career-
readiness/compare-act-sat/
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 The
ACT questions tend to be more straightforward.
 The
SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary.
 The
ACT tests more advanced math concepts.
 The
SAT is broken up into more sections.
 The
ACT has a Science section.
 The
SAT has Subject tests and a mandatory essay.
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 Recommended
Timeline:
o 11th Grade Fall - Determine which college is necessary
for your career path and gives the most merit-based
financial aid
o 11th Grade Winter - Take both the SAT & ACT and
compare your test results
o 11th Grade Spring - Study the test with the higher score
and retake that test
o 12th Grade Fall - Study and retake the test again if
needed
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 “Fairtest
schools” are ACT/SAT optional:
o http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
 Now
that you know about the options,
you decide which one will be best for you!
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