Tag: ACT

COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINES

Colleges/Schools

11th Grade Fall (Aug – Dec): PSAT/PreACT; Research / create a list of Schools…

11th Grade Spring (Jan – June): SAT/ACT; AP Exams; Touring (virtual) Schools…

11th Grade Summer (June – Aug): SAT/ACT; Choose Admission plan (deadlines); Create portals accounts, fill out detail; Request Letter of Recommendations; Tour schools (in person/virtual); Thinking about writing admission essays…

12th Grade (Sept): Send test scores, transcripts, recommendation letters for ED/EA deadlines; Writing admission essays; Continue Scholarship applications;

12th Grade (Oct): File FAFSA, continue to send scores, transcripts for ED/EA…

12th Grade (Nov): Early Decision I (Nov 1 or 15); Early Action (Nov 1 or 15); Regular decision: Send scores, transcripts, recomm. letters for RD deadlines;

12th Grade (Dec): RD rolling admissions, repeat Nov steps for RD admission

12th Grade (Jan): Early Decision II (deadline Jan 1 or 15)

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Differences between SAT and ACT

Colleges/Schools

Both tests have an optional essay. SAT has a Math section where you can’t use a calculator. ACT has a Science section that SAT doesn’t have. ACT requires students to read more quickly because it requires answering each of the reading questions in less than 1 minute, but SAT allows students to answer each reading question in more than 1 minute. You have more time in SAT than the ACT. Same as the Writing sections. For Math, 1 min per question in ACT, but students have more than 1 minute for SAT.

If you need more time, SAT is better.

ReadingACT TimeACT QuestionsACT Min/QuestionSAT TimeSAT QuestionsSAT Min/Question
35min40< 1min / Question65min52>1min / Question
Writing45min75< 1min / Question35min44<1min / Question
Math60min60=1min/Question80min58>1min / Question
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What is ACT?

Colleges/Schools

The ACT is the exam that is used by many universities to make admissions and scholarship decisions. Just like the SAT, the purpose of the ACT is to measure a student’s readiness for college. College admissions officers will review ACT and/or SAT scores, your GPA, letters of recommendation from teachers, EC (extracurricular activities) and personal essays. The higher you scores on the ACT and/or SAT, the higher chance of attending college in your dream. Most Junior students take the ACT, SAT, during the spring or Seniors take them in Fall. Here are the dates for ACT. There are four sections: English, Reading, Math and Science.

The ACT also includes an optional 40-minute Writing Test. ACT is 2 hours and 55minutes long. If you choose to take the ACT with Essay, the test will be 3 hours and 35 minutes long. Each section of the ACT is scored on a 1 to 36 point scale. Your composite ACT score is the average of your four section scores, also on a scale from 1 to 36. If you take the ACT with Writing Test, you will receive a separate score on the Writing Test. Universities will accept scores from either the SAT or ACT, and do not favor one test over the other.

Here is the ACT Website. You can register today to receive reminders.

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What is SAT?

Colleges/Schools

SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test. It’s an entrance test used by many colleges and universities. It lasts 3 hours. There are 2 sections: 1) Math and 2) Reading & writing tests. It costs $55 and the highest score is 1600 (800+800). The average score is 1060. The exam is multiple choice format. It’s used to measure the readiness of students for college.

Most students take SAT and/or ACT in the Spring of their Junior Year. You can re-take the exam, so it’s important to take them earlier so you can choose a higher score to submit to college. SAT is offered nationally every Summer = June, August, Winter = October, November, December, Spring = March, May.

SAT registration is via College Board. The register deadline is here and it is approximately 5 weeks before each test.

Besides the SAT, you should take the PSATs when they are offered at your high school. The status as a “National Merit semifinalist” or “National Merit Finalist” will be determined by your PSAT score, not your SAT score!

There are a few items schools look at:

  • SAT Scores
  • High School’s GPA
  • Classes you took in High School
  • EC (Extracurricular) activities
  • Letters of Recommendations
  • Admission Interviews
  • Personal Essays
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