sat and act: what are these tests?
DESCRIPTION
SAT and ACT: What are these tests?. Nancy Daves , MA VP of Customer Relations [email protected]. SAT. ACT. Differences between SAT and ACT. SAT Math section only contains Algebra and Geometry Explicitly tests vocabulary - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
SAT Reading 200-800 points
70 Minutes1 20-minute section2 25-minute sections
48 Passage-based reading questionsTests comprehension of what is stated in or implied by the passage.
19 Sentence completion questionsTests vocabulary and understanding of sentence structure.
Math 200-800 points
70 Minutes1 20-minute section2 25-minute sections
44 Multiple choice questionsStudents asked to solve a problem and pick the best choice offered.
10 Student-produced responsesStudents are not given answer choices; must solve the problem and "grid in" the answers.
Writing 200-800 points
60 Minutes1 10-minute section2 25-minute sections
25 Improving SentencesTests ability to correct faults in usage and sentence structure, and recognize effective sentences that follow the conventions of Standard Written English.18 Identifying sentence errorsTests ability to recognize faults in usage, and recognize effective sentences that follow the conventions of Standard Written English.6 Improving ParagraphsTests ability to revise sentences in the context of a paragraph or the entire essay, organize and develop paragraphs in a coherent and logical manner, and apply the conventions of Standard Written English.1 EssayThe SAT® begins with an essay. Students will be asked to present and support a point of view on a specific issue. Because there is only 25 minutes, the essay is not expected to be polished - it is meant to be a first draft.
ACTTest Content
English 75 questions 45 minutesMeasures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
Mathematics 60 questions 60 minutesMeasures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
Reading 40 questions 35 minutes Measures reading comprehension.
Science 40 questions 35 minutesMeasures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
Optional Writing Test
1 prompt 30 minutesMeasures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SAT AND ACT
SAT
Math section only contains Algebra and Geometry
Explicitly tests vocabulary Questions are abstract:
the questions look and feel different than those from school
Essay is mandatory No science section Timing is not as difficult
ACT
Math section contains Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry
Vocabulary is not tested Questions are much more
straightforward (almost the same as questions students see in school)
Essay is optional Contains a science section Time is extremely difficult
*Both tests offer score choice*
SAT VS ACT ENGLISH
SAT VS ACT MATH
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE SAT If at least one answer choice can be eliminated, guess
¼ pt. deducted for wrong answers
More inferring/reasoning
All sections go from easiest to hardest except reading passages questions
Vocabulary is extremely important
More intimidating-questions look worse than they are
Plugging in numbers almost 20-25 of the 54 math questions
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE ACT Answer every question
Sections are longer than SAT—students who work quicker and have better time management tend to do better
Reading comp—more literal than the SAT, less complicated
4 answer choices on all sections except math
Science looks more intimidating than it is - more a test of reading and reasoning skills
Biggest challenge of English section is time crunch
Math has a larger range of difficulty than the SAT: covers higher level Algebra and includes Trigonometry
STUDENTS MAY PREFER…
SAT if –
Tests well
Very strong in math
Have time management issues
Good at changing gears
ACT if -
Strong time management
Stronger in English
Like science
Do well in class
TEST FEEDBACK
ACT Test Information
Release (TIR)
Get the entire test booklet back – test scores and answers!
Offered for 3 of the 6 tests
April June December
SAT Question-and-Answer
Service (Q&A)
Get the entire test booklet back – test scores and answers!
Offered for 3 of the 7 tests
January May October
Students should be encouraged to take these exams and use the returned tests to their advantage!
SAT Timeline
PSAT/NMSQT: October Results in December
SAT Start preparing after
PSAT Ideal first test in January*
Order Question-And-Answer Service (QAS*)
Leaves time for another test in spring (March, May*, June)
Last: Oct*/Nov senior year
ACT Timeline
PLAN Sophomore year
ACT Start preparing January Ideal first test in April*
Order Test Information Release (TIR*)
Leaves time for another test in summer (June*)
Must know more math Last: Sep/Oct senior year
ROOT CAUSES OF MISTAKES
Lack of familiarity with content
Failure to read carefully
Assumption that questions are like the ones in high school classes
Nervousness/time stress
ESSENTIAL KEYS TO PERFORMING ON TEST DAY
Information—Being informed is key. Students who are well prepared will NEVER be surprised by the test.
Confidence—If students have a strong belief that they have done all they need to in order to be ready, they will do better.
Competitive fire—students pit themselves not only against the test but against others in the room.
Relax—Overcoming anxiety is crucial to success.
SUPER-SCORING
Every Test Counts! Some schools will “super score” the SAT or ACT,
meaning that they will take the best scores from each section and combine them for a new composite score.
Example SAT super score:
Test 1: M: 520 R: 600 W: 640
Test 2: M: 640 R: 590 W: 650
Test 3: M: 590 R: 680 W: 570
FINAL: M: 640 R: 680 W: 650
It is my hope you will walk away from this presentation with a better understanding of the SAT and ACT tests.
If you have any follow up questions:
[email protected] ext 31