SAT v. ACT: Which is Right for You? Applerouth Tutoring Services Presented By: Hannah Schwendeman Business Development Manager, Seattle
Why take the SAT or ACT? A vast majority of colleges use these tests for admissions. • Standardized tests are easy to compare across geographic and demographic lines • Efficient way to make big cuts • Moderately useful predictor of success in college 2 applerouth
What do these tests actually test? Standard English Grammar High School Math: Arithmetic, Algebra I and II, Geometry, and a small amount of Trigonometry Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary in Context Graph reading and Data Interpretation Your ability to right a well organized and on-topic essay. 3 applerouth
Putting the SAT/ACT in Context Greatest return on investment of time and resources Teacher Recommendations H.S. Grades in the Context of SAT Subject Tests SAT Schedule Strength and Academic ACT Strength of School Admissions Essay Activities You walk through these doors one at a time. A super (Leadership, Depth) high SAT score cannot make up for a 1.5 GPA. A beautifully written essay will rarely trump an SAT score below a school’s minimum range. 4 applerouth
The ACT Has Eclipsed the SAT SAT ACT Gap 2005 1,475,623 1,186,251 289,372 2006 1,465,744 1,206,455 259,289 2007 1,494,531 1,300,599 193,932 2008 1,518,859 1,421,941 96,918 2009 1,530,128 1,480,469 49,659 2010 1,597,329 1,568,835 28,494 2011 1,647,123 1,623,112 24,011 -1,730 2012 1,664,479 1,666,209 2013 1,700,000 1,800,000 -100,000 Aligning with the Common Core has been a big winner for the ACT. 2014 revealed huge gains for the ACT. Any college will take either the SAT or ACT without prejudice 5 applerouth
The recipe behind the Redesigned SAT The Redesigned SAT is more like the ACT, more aligned with the Common Core, and more rigorous than ever.
Structurally the two tests appear nearly identical SAT ACT Reading English Writing Math 3:00 2:55 No Calculator Math Reading Math Science :40 :50 Optional Essay Optional Essay Testing Time 3:50 3:35 The ACT’s stand -alone science section is one of the key differences 7 applerouth
SAT vs. ACT 8 applerouth
SAT vs. ACT cont. 9 applerouth
SAT vs. ACT cont. 10 applerouth
SAT vs. ACT cont. 11 applerouth
Comparing SAT and ACT content* Test Algebra Geometry Arithmetic/ Trigonometry Data Analysis ACT 46% 23% 24% 7% SAT 30% 2% 62% 6% SAT has more algebra and much less geometry. Trigonometry is mostly an afterthought. Algebra dominates the SAT. * Using SAT categories, slightly different from how the ACT categorizes math items 12 applerouth
ACT Science • Data analysis • Very fast paced! “It’s like playing a • Not about biology or game when no physics principles one has told you • Unlike any other the rules.” standardized test section • SAT: charts, tables, graphs in every section 13 applerouth
The “Optional” Essays SAT ESSAY ACT ESSAY • Scored 2-8 on • Scored 2-12 on Reading, Writing, Ideas, Development, Analysis Organization, Language Use • Rhetorical analysis of an author’s • Argumentative essay argument – not your based on 3 own opinion perspectives • 50 minutes • 40 minutes 14 applerouth
SAT Math Practice 15 applerouth
SAT Math Practice 16 applerouth
ACT Math Practice 17 applerouth
ACT Math Practice 18 applerouth
Students don’t need to take both tests! Only 30% of Princeton applicants submitted both tests and less than 25% did so for Harvard, UCLA, and UVA. There is NO school that values one over the other. It’s more efficient and cost -effective to select one test and focus all your energy in that direction. Baseline test scores help determine the optimal test. 19 applerouth
How do I find out which test is best for me? • Take a free SAT/ACT mock test! • Find out what each test really feels like • Learn your personal strengths and weaknesses • See if you perform better on one test versus the other 20 applerouth
So when should I take these tests? We recommend taking your test of choice 2 or 3 times. - More than that will likely see diminishing returns. - You can do all three 3 times your Junior year. - You can do 2 times your Junior year and once your Senior year! - There no wrong way to do it as long as you watch Early Action and Early Decision Deadlines. 21 applerouth
SAT Test Dates 22 applerouth
Allow Enough Time to Prep • This is a process, not a one-shot deal • Cram jobs almost never work • Plan on taking the test 3 times • It’s smart to start early ! 23 applerouth
This is not a test of your smarts, nor does it measure you as a person. It is simply a test of how well you do on the test on that day. 24 applerouth
Our Services • SAT & ACT prep (online, private, group) • Master Classes • SAT Subject and AP prep • HS subject assistance • Study skills 25 applerouth
Questions? 26 applerouth
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