SAT/ACT Tests

The SAT and ACT are standardized examinations designed to assess preparedness for college-level work.

While students may take both the ACT and SAT, it may make sense to focus one’s time and attention on preparation for just one of these tests. Students do not need to take both. Each test has a slightly different format; it is recommended that students take a practice test to evaluate their preferred college entrance test. All U.S. colleges accept the ACT and SAT interchangeably.

We recommend that students take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring of their 11th-grade year. Students may also wish to take advantage of the test date in the fall of their 12th-grade year if not satisfied with their 11th-grade scores. We recommend taking the SAT or ACT Plus Writing twice, and three times at most. Students who feel well-prepared may want to seek out an exam in the fall of their junior year; in recent years spring testing seats have been in high demand.

The ACT

The ACT assesses general educational development and specific subject knowledge. The ACT is a multiple-choice test that covers four skill areas:

English
Mathematics
Reading
Science

The ACT Plus Writing measures the same four areas plus has a section that measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. All students who choose to take the ACT should take the ACT Plus Writing.

Each section of the ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36, with a composite (overall) score also calculated out of 36. For more information about the test or to register, visit the ACT website.

The SAT

The SAT assesses:

Evidence-based Reading and Writing
Math

Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800, with an overall score calculated out of 1600. For more information about the test or to register, visit the SAT website.