ACT vs SAT: Which test should I take?

SAT/ACT What's the difference?

The primary difference between the two tests is one of style. The SAT asks questions in a very different way than what the student is used to in high school. This requires the student to 'learn' the SAT question style as part of the preparation process. The ACT is a more straightforward academic exercise but the ACT places a premium on speed.
Students that are good in Science and work quickly will probably score better on the ACT.
Students that feel more comfortable at a slower pace and don't do well in science will probably score better on the SAT.
We can help you understand which test is likely best for you but the only way too be sure which test is best for you is to take both.

(ACT) English vs (SAT) Writing & Language

The content and question types in the English (ACT) and Writing and Language (SAT) Sections are very similar. The ACT allows less time per question than the SAT does.

Reading Section Differences

The content and question types in the two Reading sections are very similar.
The SAT Reading Section is slightly larger than the ACT Reading Section but the SAT gives you almost twice as much time to complete the section.

Math Section Differences

Calculators are prohibited on a portion of the SAT Math Test while the ACT Math Test allows a calculator to be used throughout.
The SAT has very unusual question formats on the Math Test. The questions are often very wordy or use large formulas to try and confuse the student. The ACT math question formats are more like high school math.
The SAT gives a small portion of the formulas needed for the Math Test while the ACT does not provide any formulas.
The ACT Math Test asks questions in the following areas that the SAT does not: Vectors, matrices & logarithms.

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Science Section Differences

The ACT has a separate Science Section that counts as 1/4th of the total test score. The ACT Science Section tests technical reading comprehension.
The SAT does not have a separate Science section, however, there are two science related passages in the SAT Reading Section.

Essay Section Differences

The ACT Essay Task is to write a persuasive essay based on a topical prompt.
The SAT Essay Task is to read a provided persuasive essay and then write a critical essay which analyzes the quality of the writing and rhetoric in the persuasive essay.

ACT Strategies and Notes

“Our son’s test scores began to improve significantly after just a few sessions.”

General ACT Strategies and Notes

There is not a penalty for missed questions
Therefore you should guess if you do not know the answer
Accuracy is always more important than speed
Go at a pace that allows you to fully understand the questions and the answer options before answering
Most schools will ‘superscore’ the ACT
This means they will take the highest score you make on any test for a particular section
Rest the day before the test
Arrive early on test day
Time yourself when you take a practice test
The more practice tests you complete the better you will score
One-on-one review of the completed tests is the core of the ACT course
RELAX - YOU CAN DO THIS!
and more...

Math Section Strategies and Notes

Many problems take only a few seconds some take several minutes. Learn to recognize difficult/time consuming problems and skip those and return to them later
The first ~50 questions on the Math test are generally of easy to medium difficulty. The last ~10 questions are where the more difficult problems come into play including matrices, complex numbers and the more difficult trig problems.
For geometry questions label the picture given with the facts given if a picture is provided. If there is no picture draw and label your own.
Avoid careless mistakes. Here are the top three mistakes to avoid:
Not answering exactly the question asked for - the last sentence in a math problem will almost always be where you will find exactly what you are being asked to solve for. Underline the piece that states exactly what is being asked for and answer that.
Missing a negative - be very careful to distribute all negatives where necessary
Missing a simple calculation - DO NOT DO CALCULATIONS IN YOUR HEAD
Immediately after reading the math question look at the answer choices. This will tell you/remind you of the format the answer is in and possibly other clues to the right answer as well
Create a math formula/fact sheet and write down any formula of fact you need to know - review this sheet until memorized prior to the test
Trust your instincts - often the only clear attack is the right attack but the final answer may not reveal itself at first. Keep on keeping on.
and more ....

Science Section Strategies and Notes

The questions are taken from lab based scenarios
The Science Section is essentially an exercise in technical reading comprehension. The student's ability to ingest and analyze scientific information is tested - very little prior science knowledge is required
Do the passages you feel most comfortable with first
Practice different passage strategies depending on the passage type.
For the Data Representation and Research Summary passages the charts, tables and graphs are critical information. Make sure when you do these passage types you understand what the graphic is representing. What data is being presented and in what units?
Once you understand the graphics either go directly to the questions or skim the passage first
For the Conflicting Viewpoints passage read the passage for comprehension prior to going to the questions
and more.....

English Section Strategies and Notes

The English section tests knowledge of ~50-100 grammar rules. The rules tested are very consistent from test to test.
Answer the questions as you go in the English Section
Eliminate obviously wrong choices
If multiple answers are grammatically correct the most concise answer is almost always the proper choice
Focus on the meaning and use of common introductory/transition words and phrases - also, therefore, furthermore, however, in addition, in conclusion, etc.
Eliminate redundancies
and more...

Reading Section Strategies and Notes

The Reading section is based on a very structured template. All reading sections are very similar.
Determine the reading strategy that is best for you:
Skim passage first then read questions then refer back to passage as needed to answer questions
Read questions first then read portions of passage as necessary to answer questions
Read passage in detail then answer questions
Not one right way. What is right for you? EXPERIMENT!!!!
Underline key points in the passage when reading the passage
Underline lines that are directly referred to in the questions when answering the questions
Before looking at answers have your predicted answer in mind
If the question asks about factual content in the passage then the exact content is there - FIND IT!
and more....

Writing Section Strategies and Notes

Read the Writing Test prompt then spend the next 5-10 minutes planning your essay
Write down a brief outline of your essay
Memorize the Essay Task prior to test day - it is always the same
Essay score is not part of the composite score and is optional
Essay structure:
Introductory paragraph
Clearly state thesis - your perspective
Transition sentence to body of essay
Two to three supporting paragraphs
These should be clear examples supporting your thesis and/or disagreeing with one of the given perspectives
Conclusion paragraph
Restate your thesis
Closing sentence
Use varying sentence structures and lengths. Rhetorical questions can work well.
and more...

SAT STRATEGIES AND NOTES

General SAT Strategies and Notes

There is not a penalty for missed questions therefore you should guess if you do not know the answer
Accuracy is always more important than speed
Go at a pace that allows you to fully understand the questions and the answer options before answering
Rest the day before the test
Arrive early on test day
The more practice tests you complete the better you will score
Typically significant improvement occurs after 6+ completed tests
Trust yourself - confidence is key to successful test taking - believe in your preparation
RELAX
and more...

Essay Section Strategies and Notes

The Essay task is to analyze a provided persuasive essay and to evaluate the author's effectiveness
Essay score is not part of the composite score and is optional
Essay structure:
Introductory paragraph
CLEARLY STATE THESIS - HOW WELL DID THE AUTHOR MAKE THEIR POINT?
Transition sentence to body of essay
Two to three supporting paragraphs
These should be clear examples of the author's persuasive techniques
You should point out both the strengths and the weaknesses of the author's approach
Conclusion paragraph
Restate your thesis
Closing sentence
Use varying sentence structures and lengths.
and more...

Reading Section Strategies and Notes

The Reading section is based on a very structured template. All reading sections are very similar.
Read the passages that are easy for you first - Do you prefer social science, literature, history, or science?
Determine the reading strategy that is best for you
Skim passage first then read questions then refer back to passage as needed to answer questions
Read questions first then read portions of passage as necessary to answer questions
Read passage in detail then answer questions
Not one right way. What is right for you? EXPERIMENT!!!!
Underline key points in the passage when reading the passage
Underline lines that are directly referred to in the questions when answering the questions
Before looking at the answers have your predicted answer in mind
If the question asks about factual content in the passage then the exact content is there - FIND IT!
and more....

“My youngest daughter saw her SAT score go up 230 points after working with Skipper.”

Writing and Language Section Strategies and Notes

Approximately half the questions are rhetoric based. You are asked to improve the author's word usage, topic development, or passage structure
Approximately half the questions are grammar based. A consistent set of ~50- 100 grammar rules are tested.
Answer the questions as you go in the Writing and Language Section
Read the entire sentence that contains the underlined portion
Look at the answer choices to determine if more reading before or after the sentence is required
Eliminate obviously wrong choices
If multiple answers are grammatically correct the most concise answer is almost always the proper choice
Focus on the meaning and use of common introductory/transition words and phrases - also, therefore, furthermore, however, in addition, in conclusion, etc.
Often the SAT will add one or more dependent clauses in a sentence to make the sentence difficult to read. If a dependent clause is not part of the underlined portion reread the sentence without it for greater clarity
Eliminate redundancies

and more...

Math Section Strategies and Notes
(No Calculator and Calculator)

The SAT Math Test is broken into two sections:
No-calculator section
Calculator section

Skip the obviously hard/tedious problems and come back to them at the end
For geometry questions label the picture given with the facts given if a picture is provided. If there is no picture draw and label your own.
Avoid careless mistakes. Here are the top three mistakes to avoid:
Not answering exactly the question asked for - the last sentence in a math problem will almost always be where you will find exactly what you are being asked to solve for. Underline the piece that states exactly what is being asked for and answer that.
Missing a negative - be very careful to distribute all negatives where necessary
Missing a simple calculation - DO NOT DO CALCULATIONS IN YOUR HEAD
Immediately after reading the math question look at the answer choices. This will tell you/remind you of the format the answer is in and possibly other clues to the right answer
Create a math formula/fact sheet and write down any formula or fact you need to know - review this sheet until memorized prior to the test
Trust your instincts - often the only clear attack is the right attack but the final answer may not reveal itself at first. Keep on keeping on.
and more ....