ACT/SAT Diagnostic Comparison
August 10, 2008
Emma Fischer
ACT General Score Information
Scaled & Composite scores range from 1-36
Norms1 for the 50th% = 20
Sub Scores range from 1-18
Emma’s Scores with percentile (norms) ranking:
ENGLISH
Scale: 13 – 11th %
Usage/Mechanics: 11
64th%
MATH
Scale: 16 – 24th %
Pre-Algebra Elementary
Algebra: 8
30th %
Rhetorical Skills:
Intermediate
th
37 %
Algebra –
Coordinate
Geometry: 11
65th %
Plane Geometry –
Trigonometry: 4
4th %
ACT Composite2: 15 – 13th %
READING
Scale: 19 – 41st %
Social
Studies/Sciences: 13
76th %
SCIENCE
Scale: 11 – 2nd %
No subscore is
reported for this
section by ACT,
Inc.
Arts and Literature: 8
29th %
SAT General Score Information
Scaled score per section range from 200-800
Cumulative Scores range from 200-2400
Norms per section for the 50th% = Critical reading (502), Math (515), and Writing (494)
Emma’s Scores with percentile (norms) ranking:
CRITICAL READING
MATH
WRITING
420
370
490-5903
nd
th
22 %
9 %
48th-79th %
SAT Cumulative4 Score Range: 1280-1380 23rd % - 34th %
1
Norms are national ranks based on 2007 test date and academic year performance for Juniors and Seniors.
Composite scores are the mean (average) of the 4 sections.
3
Based on a factored low-to-high essay score of 6-12 out of a possible 12. On the SAT, the essay (scored from 012) equals 30% of the overall Writing score. The ACT English and Essay scores are separate. We do not include an
essay on the ACT/SAT Diagnostic Comparison.
4
Cumulative score ranges are the inclusive sums of the Writing section spectrum.
2
ANALYSIS & RECCOMENDATIONS:
There are two primary ways to analyze college admissions testing performance: 1) comparison
of general strengths/weaknesses in Math and Science over against Reading and
Writing/Grammar and 2) comparison of testing performance on the ACT and SAT in general. It
is helpful to understand that the ACT is known to be a test based in high school curricula
standards, and it relies heavily on the student’s reading comprehension ability (English, Reading
and Science are all reading tests with answers located in passages). The SAT is a critical
thinking exam and requires a higher level of skill in vocabulary and in determining best answers5
from second best answers on all three sections of the test.
1)
Emma’s standardized subject area performance demonstrates a significant strength across the
board in Reading and Grammar/English/Writing over Math and Science. The ACT-English
section is the only exception to this rule (Emma’s ACT-Math score was higher than her English
score). However, Emma’s ACT-Science score was very low and, since both the Reading and
Science sections on the ACT are based on reading comprehension skills, it serves to demonstrate
that Emma’s comprehension is affected by subject matter. As such, Emma’s performance should
be measured in her reading comprehension skills against critical thinking skills (i.e. ACT vs.
SAT). A comparison of the SAT Cumulative and ACT Composite scores makes this analysis
clear (pay attention to the percentile ranks).
2)
Emma is a good reader and gets most passage-based questions correct, however, she has pacing
issues and is not able to complete all the passages, especially on ACT-Science. The SATReading test also includes vocabulary questions in the form of sentence completions. Emma
demonstrates strength in vocabulary as well as in grammar and rhetorical skills. Almost every
SAT-Reading question is a line reference, so answers are simple to find by locating them in the
passage by line. As such, the SAT does not require students to rely on reading speed in order to
master the reading test.
The SAT-Math score was 15 percentile points lower than ACT-Math. The SAT does not require
any Trigonometry or pre-Calculus knowledge, and it is easier to pace because sections are more
frequent and brief. Emma suffered on SAT-Math because she left many of the answers blank.
Since ACT Math is 60 minutes and 60 questions long, it requires students to work very quickly
for a sustained period. For even the best Math students, this testing paradigm can prove difficult.
Many students also benefit from shorter, more frequent Math sections because Math on both the
ACT and SAT is unlike anything students are accustomed to in Math classes at school.
Emma’s best scores were evident in ACT-Reading and SAT-Writing; these sections are
comparable in that they both test rhetorical skills, writing style/organization, and language
comprehension.
The SAT does not have an equivalent for ACT-Science. All college and universities in the U.S.
accept both the ACT and SAT with college application. However, students who wish to major in
science-related fields (e.g. Engineering, pre-Med, Nursing, etc) should take the ACT to show
evidence of Science ability. Of course, the SAT plus a Subject test in Science can also satisfy
A “best answer” means that, for any given multiple choice question on Math, Critical Reading, or Writing, more
than one answer can be true or right, but only one answer earns a raw point.
5
evidence of ability. Most colleges/universities require the SAT Reasoning Test plus two Subject
tests OR the ACT. SAT Subject tests are administered on a separate test day from the Reasoning
test.
While test preparation for the SAT covers the entire test, there are identifiable areas which can
be focused on for score improvement. Emma is quite strong in grammar, usage and mechanics,
and rhetorical skills, however, she needs to learn effective strategies for managing timed reading
tests and thus answer more of these questions to improve her score. The basic Algebra and
Geometry concepts need review and a focused application of improved Math knowledge to
specific, predictable Math questions types is imperative (e.g. one must know that the smallest
prime # is 2 in order to answer a word problem dealing in prime number concepts). Science6 is
Emma’s weakest area. This low score is detrimental to the ACT Composite. For instance, if
Emma scored in the 50th% on Science with a 21, her overall Composite would rise 2 points. This
would move her ACT Composite from the 13th % to the 26th %.
The analysis and comparison of Emma’s diagnostic testing confirms that Emma demonstrates a
stronger performance on the SAT based on a comparison of her composite and cumulative
scores and norms. Standard test preparation for the SAT is 12 tutoring hours, which covers
every section of the test, both content review and test-taking strategies, and allows for focus on
areas of weakness.
Please contact me with any questions about the testing, score charts, comparison, analysis and/or
recommendations.
Sincerely,
Emily Aleshire Mulvey
Program Director
Crescendo Cincinnati
Test Preparation and College Admissions Counseling
513-843-8758; 513-515-1497 (cell)
crescendo@cinci.rr.com
6
For instance, the three different passage types on this section require different reading approaches. Science is
always the last section of the ACT and has 3 more passages than the Reading section, but it is tested in the same
time frame (35 minutes). While there is no set Science curricula-based criteria required for the ACT, there are
scientific method standards in data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints which are
predictable, focused, and reviewable.