Testing is, unfortunately, a “necessary evil” in the college admissions process.  While data shows that a GPA is a much stronger indicator of “college success” than standardized test scores, these tests are still part of the college-going landscape for the vast majority of institutions of higher learning. As a result, there are important things to understand when strategizing your student’s best course of action as he/she navigates the college application process. 

I regularly field questions related to testing issues such as WHICH test (ACT verses SAT) is better to take or is - at least, better suited for a particular student - as well as how and WHEN to take them, HOW MANY TIMES to take them and HOW to do test prep.  

I thought I would use this article to articulate important components of both the SAT and the ACT so as to help you understanding testing in the bigger college application landscape.

The ACT:  is made up of 4 sections and an optional essay (which is becoming largely obsolete)

• English

• Math

• Reading

• Science

Students are given 4 sub-scores (0-36)  for each section which are then averaged into one total Composite score. 

The section lengths range from 35 minutes (Reading and Science) to 60 minutes (Math).  The content of the Math, Science, and English is similar to what High School Juniors are learning in school.  For example, Math content includes 60 questions on Geometry, Algebra I and II, and Trigonometry.  The Reading and English sections include a small amount of vocabulary and a larger section on passage based interpretation questions as well as grammar and punctuation.  The ACT is the only test that includes a Science section, which is largely graph interpretation.  As a result, it is recommended that students take this test later in the junior year to maximize the opportunity for absorbing that knowledge before taking the test.  The ACT is best suited for students that are knowledge-driven and doing well in their classes.

The SAT:  is made up of two sections and an optional essay (which is becoming largely obsolete)

• Reading/Writing will combine for one section score of 800 total

• Math will also give a subscore of 800

The SAT greater emphasis on reasoning skills in context as well as fewer “learnable tricks”.  Reading will include 52 passage-based questions, a small amount of vocabulary, as well as work in both punctuation and sentence structure.  The 68 math questions will focus more on the content students are learning during their junior year, to include Advanced Algebra, Interpretation of Data, some Geometry and Trigonometry.  The Essay is now optional and not factored into the Reading/Writing subscore.

The SAT is more reasoning based, has more of an emphasis on reading comprehension, and can be a better fit for a liberal arts leaning kid. The ACT has more emphasis on classroom content and learning, has a science section, and may be a better fit for a more STEM leaning kid.

Test Optional:
More than 800 four-year colleges and universities do not use the SAT or ACT to admit substantial numbers of bachelor-degree applicants. Colleges that are "test optional," "test flexible" or otherwise de-emphasize the use of standardized tests by making admissions decisions about substantial numbers of applicants who recently graduated from U.S. high schools without using the SAT or ACT.

Some schools exempt students who meet grade-point average or class rank criteria while others require SAT or ACT scores but use them only for placement purposes or to conduct research studies. You will need to check with each school's admissions office to learn more about specific admissions requirements.  Here is the link for a list of colleges that are Test Optional -  http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional.

To sum things up, while the new SAT is becoming more closely related to the ACT, students are still probably better suited for one verses the other.  I recommend that students either take one of each to see which one they are better suited for and then focus on that one by taking it at least one more time again OR use a diagnostic test online to determine best fit.