SAT/ACT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the main components for competitive entrance into a 4-year university is a student’s score on a standardized assessment.  In fact, it is a requirement for most U.S. Universities.

The two main assessments accepted by most universities are the SAT and the ACT, both designed to yield the maximum score during the spring of a student’s junior year.

 

SAT

The SAT is a 3 hour and 45 minute exam that consists of 10 subsections ranging over three sections: Mathematics, Critical Reading and Writing.  The design of the assessment is to measure literary, writing & analytical skills to determine academic success in college.  Scores range from 200 – 800 on each section for a total possible score range of 600 – 2400.  Combined with a student’s GPA and course selection, universities use SAT results to get a quantitative picture of a student.

 

To prepare students for the SAT, 8th graders take the Readistep assessment.

Please look at the College Board’s website for numerous benefits of taking the SAT: Why Take the SA?

Registration for the SAT can done through the College Board website or sat.org.

 

ACT

The ACT is a 3 hour and 5 minute exam that consists of 4 subsections: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science Reasoning (with an optional writing section).  The design of the assessment is to measure general educational development and capacity to complete college-level material; to determine “college readiness.”  Scores range from 1 – 36 on each section for a total possible score range of 1 – 36.  Combined with a student’s GPA and course selection, universities use ACT results to get a quantitative picture of a student.

 

The first video explains how to use the College Board website which is the most important resource for all SAT testing. The second video describes the changes in the SAT that will 

go into effect in 2016.