COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINES

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)

Differences between SAT and ACT

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