Both the ACT and SAT are possible to beat, but a few key differences between the two tests lead us to approach each differently. Here’s what you need to know!
ACT Content v. SAT Content: What’s Tested?
First, the ACT is comprised of 4 separate tests (English, Math, Reading, and Science) that are administered back-to-back. The SAT, on the other hand, alternates between three different sections (Critical Reading, Math, and Writing). Both tests also feature an essay-writing component. The SAT begins with the essay, while the ACT ends with it. (Note: although ACT calls the essay section “optional,” students should only opt-out if none of the colleges to which they’re applying require it. This is unlikely!)
Because the sections on the ACT are longer and filled with more questions, it’s important to budget your time wisely! Stamina can be an issue too, especially in the lengthy English and Math sections.
Like preparation for the SAT, preparation for the ACT English and Reading tests involves mastering grammar concepts and developing a practice of close reading and analysis.
Preparation for the Math and Science tests, however, involves a bit more work.
What Does the ACT Math Test Cover?
In addition to algebra, functions, data analysis, and number operations, the ACT tests more difficult math concepts, such as high-level trigonometry, geometry, and matrices. It’s less “tricky” than the SAT math section, but it makes up for that by requiring more advanced knowledge and endurance. Answering 60 questions in 60 minutes can seem impossible to some students! We help students tackle the tough math and find their stride.
ACT Science: What Are They Talking About?
The ACT Science Test is notoriously feared by many students, so this section often requires special attention. It’s dense and laden with jargon, and students must know what they’re facing ahead of time or risk being intimidated. The well-kept secret about the Science Test, though, is that it’s basically another reading section! Our students learn how to cut through all the jargon, read the graphs and charts correctly, and draw intelligent inferences based on that reading.
Scoring and Guessing on the ACT
Most questions on the ACT have 4 answer choices, whereas questions on the SAT have 5. The only exception on the ACT is the Math test, which also has 5 answer choices.
The ACT also has no guessing penalty. This is critical for students to know! No question should be left blank. We teach students how to eliminate intelligently and guess aggressively.
Despite it being easier to get ahead by guessing, the ACT is also more difficult to improve on than the SAT. Because the ACT is graded on a 36-point scale with no half-points, it takes a huge amount of studying and practice to improve by even one point. That’s not to say it’s impossible to improve by several points—it just takes time.
What About the ACT Essay?
The ACT Essay is not unlike the SAT Essay! Both require you to develop a point of view and support that point of view with specific examples and thoughtful analysis. The ACT gives you 30 minutes to do so, while the SAT gives you only 25. It’s important to teach students how to formulate an effective argument and sustain that argument through the use of skillfully deployed examples, careful reasoning, and convincing rhetoric.
Students Should Play to Their Strengths
When selecting a college entry exam to take, students should consider what’s tested and how to prepare. In most cases, it’s advisable to pick a test and stick with it. But given the overlap between the ACT and SAT, for many students, it makes sense to attempt both, at least initially! When a student performs noticeably better on one or the other, then it’s time to reel it in with some targeted test prep.
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