SAT or ACT?

When most people hear “college entrance exam” they immediately think of the ACT, but the SAT test can be equally important because it is also readily accepted by colleges and universities across the country. Although the ACT is more popular with students here in the Midwest, it never hurts to show the initiative and take both the SAT and ACT. That being said, for students who wish to take just one exam, it’s really up to personal preference.

The tests themselves are relatively similar in format and difficulty. SAT sections include reading, writing, math, and an optional essay, while ACT sections include English, math, reading, science, and an optional essay. Both tests are multiple choice, however the SAT includes some math questions where the student must produce answers from scratch and other math questions where the use of a calculator is not allowed. The main difference between the two exams is that the ACT includes a science section, which tests critical thinking skills. Regardless of which test your son or daughter decides to take, we recommend the essay portion be completed for both.

We think the best way to choose the right college entrance exam is by practicing both. There are many free sample ACT and SAT tests online, which can be completed alone or with the guidance of a private tutor. Doing this can help students gauge which exam format they’re more comfortable with, leading to greater confidence and a higher test score. In the end, there’s no better way to hone test-taking skills than diligent preparation.

If your son or daughter decides that the SAT is the right choice for them, that’s great! The first SAT test of the school year will take place on October 1st. While the registration deadline has passed for this testing date, there’s still time to register for the November 5th SAT test. We’ve posted the full SAT testing schedule for the 2016-2017 academic year below. It can also be found here.