The ABC’s about the SAT….
…and what about the ACT?
Welcome!
Ms. Colleen Desmond, B-CC Resource
Counselor
October 24, 2013 @ 7:00 PM
*Thank you to the PTSA and CAC for
organizing this event!
A little SAT history…..
• First SAT developed in 1901 as a means of determining
intelligence
• SAT originally stood for “Scholastic Achievement Test”
• In 1941, College Board changed name to “Scholastic
Aptitude Test”
• In 1994, the test mean was re-centered and test re-named
to simply SAT (SAT doesn’t stand for anything!!)
SAT History continued…..
• In 2005, SAT was modified with new writing section,
including an essay
• Added extended reading and math section
• No more analogies – replaced with sentence
completion to test knowledge of vocabulary in context.
• Highest score went from 1600 to 2400 (includes 800
on reading, math, writing)
ACT History….
• First administered in 1959
• Used to be more popular in mid-West but now
taken by students in all states
• Accepted by all colleges
• Curriculum based – directly related to what
students learn in school
ACT and SAT
Content based on
nation-wide HS
curriculum survey
 ACT
• ACT “measures academic achievement
in the areas of English, mathematics,
reading, and science.”
• SAT “measures critical reading, writing,
and mathematical reasoning skills.”
ACT and SAT
Highest Score is 36
 ACT
• ACT
– One point for every correct
item
– Each section converted to a
36-point scale
* Highest score possible for SAT
is 2400, 800 points per section
(reading, math, writing)
ACT and SAT
10 sections
 SAT
• ACT – 4 sections
– English, Math, Reading,
Science Reasoning
• SAT – 10 sections
– Critical Reading (3), Writing
(3), Math (3), Experimental
(1)
ACT and SAT
Assesses content from
Algebra II
 ACT
 SAT
ACT and SAT
Assesses content
from Pre
Calculus
 ACT
ACT
• Math
• Includes trigonometry
Pre-Algebra
Elementary
Algebra
Intermediate
Algebra
Coordinate
Geometry
Plane Geometry
Trigonometry
1st
Quarter,
Pre
Calculus
ACT and SAT
Assesses grammar
 ACT
 SAT
• ACT English
– Usage/Mechanics
• Punctuation, grammar & usage, sentence
structure
– Rhetorical Skills
• Writing strategy, organization, style
• SAT Writing
– Grammar
– Usage
– Word choice
– Essay
ACT and SAT
Reading Section
consists of four 11½ page passages
 ACT
• ACT Reading (35 minutes)
– Reading comprehension
– Four passages
• Social science, humanities, prose
fiction, and natural sciences
• SAT Critical Reading (aka verbal) (70
minutes)
– Reading comprehension
– Sentence completion
– Short and long passages
ACT and SAT
Directly assesses vocabulary
in context
 SAT
• SAT
– Vocabulary directly assessed in
critical reading section
• ACT
– Vocabulary is not directly
assessed, but aids reading
comprehension
ACT and SAT
Assesses science
reasoning
 ACT
ACT
• Science
– Readings, charts, experiments
– Subjects:
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth/Space
• Physics
ACT and SAT
Essay is required
 SAT
• ACT – Optional essay
– Topics “intended to reflect the interests
and experiences of HS students”
• SAT – Essay
– Range of topics include literature, art,
sports, politics, technology, science,
history, current events
ACT and SAT
Essay requires student to take a position
 ACT
 SAT
ACT and SAT
Includes student-response (grid-in)
math questions
 SAT
ACT and SAT
¼ point deduction for
each incorrect
answer
 SAT
• This is known as the “penalty for
guessing.” It is designed on the SAT
to discourage random guessing.
• On SAT, students receive a 0 point
deduction for blank answers.
The SAT might be the test of best fit if…..
• You did great on the PSAT.
• You have a killer vocabulary. (You are comfortable
with words like "didactic," "sedulous," and
"esoteric.")
• You prefer starts and stops when taking tests.
There are nine sections and an essay on the SAT.
(Total test time = 3 hrs. 45 min.
• You can ace grammar. For example, you are
comfortable with the sentence, "On the table, there
ARE a pencil and some paper.“
• You consider yourself "quick-thinking."
• You enjoy brain teasers and are good at reasoning
and logic.
• You don’t have to study to pass tests.
• You are strong in math – 1/3 of test
The ACT might be the test of best fit if…
• Your PSAT or SAT score is inconsistent with your academic
performance in school.
• Your vocabulary is not as strong as your reading.
• You read relatively quickly.
• You are more academic than test savvy. (The ACT test is
more like a test you would take in school.)
• You prefer four longer sections (English, Math, Reading, and
Science) to having interruptions and breaks during the test.
(Total test time = 2 hrs. 55 min.)
• You are great at writing papers but do not have formal
grammar instruction.
• You are “book smart”
SAT Subject Tests
• Required by some colleges – check each college’s
website
• Subject tests cover knowledge of material in areas
including science, history, literature, advanced
math, foreign languages
• Each test graded on 800 point scale
• One hour in length
• ACT can sometimes substitute for SAT subject
tests – again, check with college
Test Dates
SAT:
Date
November 2, 2013
December 7, 2013
January 25, 2014
March 8, 2014
May 3, 2014
June 7, 2014
ACT:
Date
October 26, 2013
December 14, 2013
February 8, 2014
April 12, 2014
June 14, 2014
Regular Registration Deadline
closed
November 8, 2013
December 27, 2013
February 7, 2014
April 4, 2014
May 9, 2014
Regular Registration Deadline
closed
November 8, 2013
January 10, 2014
March 7, 2014
May 9, 2014
**B-CC High School Code: 210-250
Additional Information
• Photo needs to be uploaded when registering
• Four free score reports sent when registering
• For SAT, you can sign up for Score Choice by test
date
• SAT Subject tests available on: Nov 2, Dec 7, Jan
25, March 8, May 3, June 7
• Think before you sign up for “student search
service”.
• Do sign up for SAT Question of the Day
Practice Tests offered by PTSA/CAC:
• Full-length practice ACT on
November 16th in B-CC cafeteria
• Follow-up session: Dec. 5th, 7 pm in B-CC
Choral room.
• Full-length practice SAT on January
11th in B-CC cafeteria
• Follow-up session: Jan. 23rd at 7 pm in BCC Choral Room
Sample Time table – grade 11 2013-2014
October
16, 2013
November January
16, 2013
11, 2014
March 8,
2014
PSAT
Practice Practice SAT I
ACT
SAT
January to March:
Prep
course
April 12,
2014
May 3,
2014
June 7 or
14, 2014
ACT
SAT
Subject
tests
2nd SAT
or
2nd ACT
Accuplacer
• A computer adaptive placement test
– Questions given are based on previous answers
• Test is not timed
• Offered at B-CC and at Montgomery College:
– Students who do not earn a 550 on each section of the SAT or 24 on
the ACT must take the Accuplacer for course placement.
• Used at MD community colleges and a very limited number of 4year schools
Students with a disability
• Must apply through College Board or ACT testing service for
accommodations
• Can now apply on-line or download forms
• Can take up to 3 months to process
Online Resources
• ACT
– ACT site
– http://www.actstudent.org
• SAT
– College Board site
– http:www.collegeboard.com
• Accuplacer
– College Board site for students:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/index.html
– Montgomery College:
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/AssessCtr/assessment-placement.html
There are some colleges that don’t require
a standardized test for admission. Go to
www.Fairtest.org to see a list of these
colleges
So what do colleges look for in a student?
1. Types of courses student takes in high
school - rigorous courses are important
(Honors, AP, IB)
2. Grades in these courses
3. SAT/ACT scores
4. Activities in which a student is involved
5. Essay
6. Recommendations
A standardized test is only one key to open up
the many doors to your future…….