SAT versus ACT

Recently a Seattle parent asked about the difference between the tests.

We will answer this question in four parts. First we discuss the different test sections. We then look at the different types of questions in each section.

1. The ACT has a science section. The science section that contains graphs, reading passages, and figures about experiments. Note that the science section actually requires very little knowledge about science. Instead, students must be able to interpret and read graphs. This science section is divided into four parts. Each part has about eight questions.
2. The SAT tests vocabulary. The test, revised in 2015,  no longer has a sentence completion section. Instead, it asks about words by asking about meaning in context. Before students who needed prep learned more words and learned techniques for memorizing words. Now, students will concentrate more on learning words by reading more. Still, some students may find memorization helpful.
3. Both tests have grammar sections but test different rules. Both tests look at many rules of grammar and some of those rules will vary between tests. Students preparing for the SAT or the ACT will learn the specific rules for each test for success. Only 10 to 20 rules need to be learned for each test. In the English language there are easily one hundred rules. Knowing what to memorize helps.
4. Both math sections in each test have many questions that require a calculator. Before the educational testing service revised the SAT in 2015, there were only one or two questions that required a calculator. Also, the new SAT has even more “academic” math questions.  Students preparing for the one or both tests will learn which kinds of math skills are needed to get the best score.
5. Neither test takes points away for wrong answers. Taking a page out of the ACT’s book, the new SAT no longer penalizes guessing. This may seem beneficial to students, but strategic guessing was a major benefit. Still, when we tutor or in classes we teach when to guess and how to guess.

Click here to read part two.

Contact us for more information and to learn which test is right for your student.

 

external references: