 |
SAT |
ACT |
| When is it administered? |
Seven times per year |
Six times per year |
| What is the test structure? |
Ten-section exam: Three
Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one
Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look
like a regular section. |
Four-section exam:
English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. An
Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates
only, and is clearly experimental. |
| What is the test content? |
Math: up to 9th grade
basic geometry and Algebra II. Science: none.
Reading: sentence completions, short and long
critical reading passages, reading comprehension.
Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar,
usage, and word choice. |
Math: up to trigonometry.
Science: charts, experiments. Reading: four
passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science,
Humanities, and Natural Science.
English: stresses grammar. |
| Is there a penalty for wrong
answers? |
Yes |
No |
| How is the test scored? |
200-800 per section, added
together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest
possible combined score. |
1-36 for each subject, averaged
for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible
composite score. |
| Are all scores sent to schools?
|
Yes. If a student requests
a score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will
include the scores the student received on every SAT taken.
|
No. There is a "Score
Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will
receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see.
|
| Are there other uses for the
exams? |
Scholarship purposes. |
Scholarship purposes. Certain
statewide testing programs. |
| Best time to register? |
At least six weeks before
the test date |
At least four weeks before
the test date |
| Need more information? |
Educational Testing Service
(ETS)
(609) 771-7600
www.ets.org
The College Board
www.collegeboard.com |
ACT, Inc.:
(319) 337-1000
www.ACT.org |