Despite all the recent controversy you have heard about the SAT, national college entrance exams are still required by most colleges and universities for admission consideration.  It is important to keep perspective and remember that standardized test scores are only one of the criteria for getting into college.

Traditionally, 10th or 11th grade students take either the PSAT/NMSQT or the PLAN before taking the SAT or the ACT.   These tests serve as practice tests for the SAT and ACT; they are qualifying exams for various merit scholarships; and they provide valuable information regarding academic strengths and weaknesses that may need remediation.

ACT or SAT?
You might wonder why your teen has to choose between the SAT and the ACT.  Until recently, the ACT was traditionally required by colleges in the Midwest, and the SAT was the test of choice in the northeast and on the east and west coasts.  But now an increasing number of students are taking the ACT, and the majority of schools in the United States now accept both SAT and ACT test results.  While the SAT and ACT are very different tests, they both fulfill the same role in the admissions process.  (However, students should check the admission requirements at each school to which they are applying.)

This increased acceptance of the ACT gives today’s students a strategic advantage.  The SAT and ACT are significantly different tests, and in many ways, they measure different skills.  So depending on your teen's particular strengths and weaknesses, he/she may perform much better on one than the other.  As a result, many students are now considering both the SAT and ACT and taking the test that provides a better showcase for their abilities. 

The SAT measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities.   The ACT measures English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning abilities.  The ACT is a content-based test, whereas the SAT tests critical thinking and problem-solving.  This perception is one reason many educators (off the record) express a preference for the ACT, because they believe that the ACT is closer to testing the “core curriculum” taught in most school classrooms.  Many questions on the ACT do test critical thinking, but the SAT and ACT reward different attributes.

Some Differences

Approximately 500 colleges also require three SAT Subject Tests.  Students should take these exams at the completion of a subject rather than waiting until the fall of senior year.

There are numerous test-taking books, computer programs, websites, classes available.  Some of these will be found on the References page.  For a list of test-taking tips from the American School Counselor Association, click here.