Everyone who is graduating high school must decide whether they are going to take the ACT, the SAT or both. At least if they plan on attending college. These tests are required by colleges and can make the difference between being accepted to the school of your dreams and being rejected. But how do you decide which test is right for you, and does it matter which one that you take?
Most colleges will accept either testing, but it is important to understand the difference between the styles of testing. Basically, the choice is yours to make and you should focus on your own skill sets when deciding between the two. Some students do very well on the SAT but not so well on the ACT and the vice versa is also true. Your success completely depends on your specific strong points and weaknesses. Below are some differences between the two test styles:
· Questions on the ACT exam are a bit more straightforward than the ones on the SAT exam. At times you may find yourself wasting valuable time attempting to understand the question when taking the SAT exam. With the ACT exam, you will understand the questions quicker and save time with the deciphering process.
· If you take the SAT, you are expected to have excellent vocabulary skills. By studying your vocabulary words, you can greatly increase your chances of receiving a higher score on this section. You should study this section thoroughly, even more common words, because they tend to show up on the test as well.
· A science section is provided on the ACT exam, but is absent on the SAT exam. If you are strong in science the ACT will probably be the test for you. However, for those of us who are stronger in other areas, may prefer the SAT.
· The ACT is also stronger in math. Both exams have a math section, but the SAT offers much simpler problems than the ones that are presented on the ACT exam. However, like the other questions on the exam, the ACT tends to have more straightforward questions than those that are on the SAT.
· If you are a bit weak on with your writing skills, the ACT writing portion is optional on the day that you take the exam. By taking the SAT, you are committing to a 25 minute SAT essay. While the score of the writing exam is factored into your overall SAT score, it is listed separately on the ACT and is usually not required by schools. However, you should look into the requirements of the specific school that you are applying for, because some schools do require it.
· One of the main differences between the two exams is the setup. By taking the ACT, you will be taking an exam broken into 4 sections; Math, Science, Reading and English; with an optional writing section at the end. However, the SAT offers the writing essay upfront, while your mind is still fresh, followed by 10 smaller sections.
· For ACT scores, college admissions look more towards the overall score. However, with the SAT they tend to focus on the individual scores of each section. Whereas on the ACT where you have the opportunity to score lower in some areas and higher in others and still receive an excellent score, the SAT requires more of a well-rounded scoring session.
Taking the ACT or SAT is extremely important for high school students who are getting ready to enter the college setting. It is important that you decide which test you can excel most at and which test the school of your choice requires. At times it may be a good idea to take both exams, depending on the college that you intend to apply for.
Whichever test that you decide to take, you need to study hard for each section. By studying you are setting yourself up to create the best score possible and therefore making yourself eligible for more school options as well as scholarships. Some high schools even offer an ACT or SAT preparedness class to high school students that allow them to practice sample tests before actually taking the exam.
If you do happen to score poorly on the exam, you will have the opportunity to retake the test. Both the ACT and the SAT are held several times each year and you have the opportunity to take the test as many times as you wish, until you receive the grade that you are seeking. Although there is a time limit to the tests, you should remember to keep calm and take your time. By concentrating on the questions carefully, you will have the best opportunity for success.
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