Erikka Goff Director Georgetown Learning Centers

 Testing Timeline  SAT vs. ACT  Q&A

   10 th grade: Take the PSAT on Oct. 15 th .

11 th grade: Take the PSAT on Oct. 15 Decide to take SAT or ACT. Sign up for SAT Subject Tests if needed.

th . 12 th grade: Retake the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests in early Fall (Sept. or Oct.)

SAT and SAT Subject Test Dates October 11, 2014 November 8, 2014 December 6, 2014 January 24, 2015 March 14, 2015 (SAT only) May 2, 2015 June 6, 2015 ACT Test Dates September 13, 2014 October 25, 2014 December 13, 2014 February 7, 2015 April 18, 2015 June 13, 2015

    Courses: Think about your course load. Try to pick a time when you won’t be overwhelmed. Juniors in Alg. 2 should take March test date or later.

Sports: Playing any sports this year? Consider how practice/games might conflict with test prep and the test date.

AP Exams: AP’s are the first two weeks of May. If you are taking a lot of AP’s, the May SAT date might not be the best fit.

SAT Subject Tests: It’s usually a good idea to take these in May or June of your junior year.

Ten sections SAT ACT Four sections with optional fifth writing section 3 hours, 45 minutes Each section graded from 200 800.

Total score out of 2400.

2 hours, 55 minutes (without writing) 3 hours, 25 minutes (with writing) Each section graded out of 36 possible points. Overall average (composite) score is out of 36 points. Math, Critical Reading, and Writing Math, Reading, Science, English, and Writing* *optional

SAT Correct Answers: 1 point Incorrect Answers: ¼ point subtracted from score Scoring: Each section from 200 800. Total test out of 2400.

Average scores: Math 515 Critical Reading 502 Writing 494 Overall: 1511 ACT 1 point No penalty for incorrect answers Each section from 1-36. Total test composite score from 1-36.

Math: 21 Reading: 21.5

English: 20.7

Science: 21 Composite: 21.1

Math: SAT • Three sections (20-25 min. each) • Covers concepts through Algebra 2 ACT • One 60-minute section • Covers concepts through Trig Critical Reading: • Three sections (20-25 min. each) • Reading comprehension and sentence completion • One 35-minute section • Reading comprehension only

English: Science: SAT • Two sections (one 10 minute and one 25 minute) • Tests a wide variety of grammatical errors N/A ACT • One 45-minute section • Tests grammar, punctuation, and syntax • One 35-minute section.

• Tests interpretive, analytical and problem solving skills • Does not test prior scientific knowledge

Essay: SAT • One 25-minute essay • First section of test • Tests the student’s skills at forming a written argument ACT • One 30-minute section (optional) • Last section of test • Tests the student’s skills at forming a written argument, usually related to a school or education topic • Essay is technically optional but YOU SHOULD DO THE ESSAY!

Guessing: Content: Timing: SAT Educated guessing • Reasoning and test taking ability • Typically better for students who are weaker in science • Several short sections • Generally better for students who struggle with pacing ACT Guess!

• Content based • Often good for students who are strong in science • Few longer sections • More questions per minute, good for students who work quickly

     Which format feels right? How long can you sit without fidgeting?

Overachiever or underachiever?

Girl or boy?

Which do you think you’ll do better on?

    Rigorous academic courses Extensive, quality outside reading and/or writing Follow the advice in My SAT Study Plan in My College QuickStart after the PSAT Take a practice test and become more familiar with test directions, types of questions, and pacing

    Take a free SAT vs. ACT practice test at Georgetown Learning Centers.

Pick a test date, keeping AP’s, course load, sports, etc. in mind. Register at www.collegeboard.org

www.actstudent.org

Study!

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