EPIC College Corner
Millions of high school students take a college-assessment test like the SAT every year as a means to get into a good college. The SAT (Scholastic Achievement Test)is the most known and accepted choice of testing for a prospective college student, but did you know that there is also another option? The ACT (originally American College Achievement Test) is also a comparative option, so the question becomes what is the difference between the 2 tests? The tests differ in the following ways:
- The SAT test is a standardized test that tests in 2 different subjects, ELA (English/Language Arts) and Mathematics. The SAT used to include the Writing portion as a separate component of test, and it is still an optional choice to take the Essay portion of the test, but majority of College Admissions representatives agree that they do not consider the Writing portion of the test. A bit of a history lesson...The SAT, which was originally scaled as a 1600 scale included just the English and the Math for the highest score of 800 in each subject; however, later the writing portion of the SAT was included for a total score of 2400 (again 800 each), but the latest version of the test (changed 2 years ago) reverted back to the 1600 scale with only the ELA and Math portions present. To register for the SAT, go to www.collegeboard.org.
- The ACT is a standardardized test that tests in 4 subject areas: English, Math, Science and Social Studies. The ACT is scaled on a 1-36 scale, with each individual test being worth 8 points. The ACT mirrors itself around the standardized tests taught in a mainstream high school environment and measures the student’s understanding of the material taught in a high school setting to best understand the student’s post high school learning capability. The ACT tests all of the core subjects in a high school. To register for the ACT, go to www.act.org.
- The SAT differs in the sense that that the SAT does not measure understanding of high school curricula, but rather college readiness in exploration of subjects of study required in college. The SAT is supposed to be an accuarate measure of the student’s capability of success in a college or university environment. The ACT measures what has already been learned.
- Both tests are readily accepted in college and universities throughout the world.Another history lesson: The ACT originated on the West Coast, whereas the SAT originated on the East Coast. Therefore being, that each was given on opposite coasts, East Coast students tended to take the SAT, and West Coast students tended to take the ACT. However, thanks to technology and the expansive communication in the world, there are no longer regional divisions in taking either test. Therefore, both tests are accepted almost everywhere in the United States.
- The question remains, which test is best? There is nothing that distinguishes one test better than the other, but what may be the better test for one test-taker may not be the better test for the other. My recommendation is to try them both; with 2 different approaches to test-taking, your child may have a tendency to do better on one than the other. If your child is stronger in Science or Social Studies, it would make sense for your child to try the ACT. However, if you think your child would do better on test that just tests in 2 different subject areas, then it makes more sense to try the SAT. Either way, it is a good idea to try both.
Next test dates: SAT, August 25th and ACT, July 14th
