The ACT or the SAT?
That is the question!
Part 3: Putting the
Tests Under the
Microscope
Information obtained from ACT or SAT: Choosing the
Right Exam for You (Princeton Review, 2009)
MATH: Sprint or Marathon?
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The first important factor to consider when
trying to determine if the SAT or ACT math is
a better fit for you has NOTHING to do with
content.
Instead, it has to do with the FORMAT of the
tests themselves…
MATH: Sprint or Marathon? (2)
The SAT
The ACT
1st section asks you to
answer 18 questions in 25
minutes
The 2nd section asks you to
answer 20 questions in 25
minutes
The 3rd section asks you to
answer 16 questions in 20
minutes
Overall, you must answer 54
questions in 70 minutes
You
The
have only 60 minutes to
answer all 60 math questions in
one section
MATH: Sprint or Marathon? (3)
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SAT questions also start off easy and
increase in difficulty (within each section)
ADVICE: Students who have trouble focusing
or who tire out faster might be better suited to
take the SAT since the math content is
broken up into smaller pieces.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who
prefers to get your math out of the way all at
once, the ACT is for you
(see pgs 36-44 in Princeton Review ACT or SAT? book for additional
comparisons)
READING
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When it comes to the reading sections, both
the SAT and the ACT test your ability to read
passages and answer questions about what
you’ve just read.
However…
READING: Vocabulary (1)
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…the SAT puts more emphasis on your familiarity
with certain “big” words
If you know what laudatory, pragmatic, and other
esoteric words mean (including esoteric), then
you’ll probably prefer the SAT Reading over the ACT
Reading.
Typically students who are well-read and possess
strong vocabularies fare better on the SAT.
Clarification: this doesn’t mean that the SAT tests
harder vocabulary (though in some cases this may
be true); it just tests MORE vocabulary…actually…a
LOT more…
READING: Vocabulary (2)
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In fact, about ¼ of all SAT Critical Reading questions
are vocabulary-based, with the majority coming in
the form of Sentence Completions.
There are three Critical Reading sections on the
SAT. Each section begins with a series of Sentence
Completions, which are simply sentences from which
one or more words have been removed. Your job is
to find the missing word or words based on the
context provided.
There are a total of 19 S.C. on the SAT.
The ACT does not directly test vocabulary within
separate questions like this
READING: Vocabulary (3)
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See my book for examples of S.C. questions from
the SAT and Vocabulary in Context questions from
the ACT (pgs 45-49
READING: Vocabulary (4)
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See my book for examples of S.C. questions from
the SAT and Vocabulary in Context questions from
the ACT (pgs 45-49)
FINAL ADVICE: If you do well on S.C., then you
have built a strong vocabulary and you should check
off one box in favor for the SAT. If you find that doing
S.C. was worse than having your teeth pulled, then
feel free to conclude that vocabulary is probably not
your strong suit and as such, a good tell-tale sign
that you might want to consider taking the ACT
READING: Vocabulary (5)
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REGARDLESS…augmenting your vocabulary is a
habit that will prove beneficial to you no matter what
career you choose to pursue later in life.
Study from specified SAT or ACT Vocabulary
resources and when you come across a new words,
WRITE IT DOWN, LOOK IT UP, & REVISIT/STUDY
YOUR LIST OFTEN!
READING: Focus (1)
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How does each test differ in terms of the number of
reading sections, number of questions, and overall
time allotted? all having an effect on how much
you need to focus
The SAT tests reading in three shorter sections (see
power point part 1 for details). Each section begins
with a series of Sentence Completions and then
progresses into short or long Reading
Comprehension passages and related m.c. ?s.
Typically you have about a minute per question.
READING: Focus (2)
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The ACT is slightly more demanding.
It’s lone Reading Section presents 4 passages with
10 questions each for a total of 40 questions.
You get 35 minutes for the whole section, which
means you have about 9 minutes to cover each
passage and the questions that follow.
ACT Reading has earned a reputation as being a
true test of concentration and stamina for some
students.
READING: Focus (3)
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There is another difference b/t SAT and ACT Reading sections
that is worth consideration:
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While the ACT is indeed a standardized test, some people like to joke
that it instead should be called a predictable test.
The ACT folks test the same information the same way, year after year
(including the order in which the sections appear). The ACT Reading
section is always the third section of the test. There are always four
passages w/ 10 ?s each and they always appear in the same order:
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Prose Fiction (excerpts from short stories and novels)
Social Sciences (history, economics, psychology, political science, and
anthropology)
Humanities (art, music, architecture, and dance)
Natural Sciences (bio, chem, physics, and physical science)
READING: Focus (4)
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On the other hand, the SAT loves to surprise us.
There is no way to know ahead of time where on the
SAT the reading questions will appear and what
genre of passages they will include.
All you know is that the SAT Essay comes first and a
short Writing Skills section comes last.
Furthermore, the SAT pulls excerpts from a variety of
different sources for its reading passages.
ADVICE FROM A PRINCETON REVIEW
INSTRUCTOR
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Right after you think about how you like your math: in smaller
pieces (SAT) or all at once (ACT), make a similar choice about
the SAT Reading (bite-sized pieces, but more questions overall)
or ACT Reading (one long, time-pressured section, but fewer
questions overall).
If you’re someone who has trouble focusing for extended
periods of time then this very well might be an important factor
to weigh when choosing your test.
As far as predictability goes, some people would prefer to know
ahead of time what section is coming next on a test. Other
people like surprises and even think it’s fun to try and guess
what might come next.
Ask yourself, “Which sounds more like me?”
READING: Passages (1)
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There is one additional small diff. b/t the SAT and
ACT Reading that is worth noting:
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Whether short passages or long passages, you will always
see Dual Passages on the SAT.
The ACT on the other hand does not use Dual Passage
question format
At first glance, the idea of having to read two full
passages instead of just one can seem daunting. It’s
actually not as scare as it looks.
(ask Mrs. H to see pages 51-55 for a sample dual
passage)
READING: Passages (2)
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Princeton Review advises students to simply treat dual passages as
they would two separate single passages. Do NOT do both passages
at the same time; do them one at a time.
So, in this case, you would read Passage 1 first. After coming up with
a general sense for the main idea of Passage 1, you would then scan
through the questions and look for those that deal exclusively with
Passage 1.
Next, you’ll read through Passage 2 and again come up with a main
idea. As you’re working on the second passage, also be sure to look
for similarities and differences b/t it and the first passage.
Now go find questions asking only about Passage 2.
Finally you can tackle any questions that ask you to compare both
passages.
ADVICE FROM A PRINCETON REVIEW
INSTRUCTOR
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Most students are terrified of SAT Dual
Passages the first time they take the test.
But with a clear system to use, you should
quickly overcome your fear.
Don’t rule out taking the SAT just because of
Dual Passages!
WRITING SKILLS (1)
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Generally speaking, both the SAT and ACT heavily
assess your understanding of basic rules on English
grammar.
Think rules like proper tense agreement,
subject/verb agreement, pronoun ambiguity, and
misplaced modifiers.
Most students are familiar with these rules, but
haven’t been test on them recently.
So, for either test, you’ll need to review your
grammar!
WRITING SKILLS (2)
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While the SAT stays primarily focused on grammar, the ACT
English Test goes beyond grammar to test other topics
The SAT Writing section primarily tests a handful of
traditional grammar rules. Students who understand the
difference b/t standard written English and the language we
speak/use every day will have a good chance of doing well
The ACT says its English test covers two broad areas:
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Usage/Mechanics (includes sentence structure, grammar, and
punctuation)
Rhetorical Skills (includes strategy, organization, and style)
WRITING SKILLS (3)
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The ACT loves to test punctuation (specifically comma
usage!!!) and is prone to test relationships of some
conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
(ask Mrs. H to see pages 58-62 for sample questions)
On the ACT English test, 35 of the 75 questions are
designed to test what the ACT test writers call Rhetorical
Skills. These questions test your knowledge of strategy,
transition, organization, and style. You may be asked to
reorder sentences or paragraphs, to reword something, or to
evaluate whether the writer of a passage has satisfied a
particular assignments.
WRITING SKILLS (4)
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The SAT Writing section does include 5 or 6 questions
related to strategy and order, but far less than what you’ll
see on the ACT.
ADVICE FROM A PRINCETON REVIEW
INSTRUCTOR
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Are you the kind of person who gets asked to edit
their friends’ papers?
This is a really good predictor for success on the
ACT English because the tasks are so analogous.
The ACT is must friendlier for students who aren’t
pure grammar nerds and get disoriented by the outof-context nature of SAT Grammar.
Students who think like editors will also keep
moving—an essential skill on ACT English.
ESSAY (1): Similarities
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Both the SAT and ACT ask you to whip up an essay
in about 25-30 minutes.
While it is true that currently the ACT Essay is
“optional”, it is recommended that you take it
anyway. This way you are covered in case it is
required by a particular college to which you are
applying.
Both essays require you to be organized, cite good
examples to back up your thesis, and include a
conclusion. However, there are a few differences
worth spotlighting…
ESSAY (2): When?
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The first difference comes down to a matter of taste.
Do you prefer to write your essay at the beginning of
your three-plus hour exam or at the end?
If you’d rather just get it out of the way immediately,
then go with the SAT since the essay is the first
section on the test.
Those of you who prefer to make your essay the
icing on the test day cake should opt for the ACT
where the writing prompt comes last
ESSAY (3): ACT Prompts
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The ACT essay prompts tend to always ask about
policy issues and usually they have to do with issues
that ACT people believe are relevant to high school
age students.
EX: As the school-age population in America becomes more and more diverse, Educators
have continued to debate over whether schools should allow non-native English speaking
students to be taught in their native language. Supporters of bilingual education claim that
non-native English speakers are automatically disadvantaged in schools if they are taught
in a language they don’t understand. On the other hand, many educators and parents
worry that without an all-English Language education, non-native English speakers will not
master English well enough to ever be academically successful. In your opinion, should
the children of immigrants be taught in their native language while learning English in
school?
In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points
of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this questions. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your position.
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ESSAY (4): ACT Prompts
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This prompt is about the use of bilingual education in
schools. Most HS students are familiar with this
issue and thus might find it easier to quickly take a
side and put together a well developed essay.
ESSAY (5): ACT vs. SAT
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The ACT requires a counter-example b/c the ACT essay
questions tend to ask about policy issues. You will need to
come up with supportive reasons for your point of view, but also
come up with a rebuttal for one argument that could be made
by someone who disagrees with your opinion. This way you’ve
acknowledged the other side and hopefully demolished the
argument!
The SAT, however, prefers to pose what we call “deep
thoughts” questions for their prompts. The topics are always
presented in a very broad manner. This is done intentionally so
as to allow students to support their position w/ any number of
examples from literature, history, current events, or even their
own personal experiences.
ESSAY (6): Sample SAT Prompt
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends (the
natural rights of men), it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and ot
institute new government, laying foundation on such principles and organizing
its powers in such forms, as to them shall most seem likely to affect their Safety
and Happiness. --The Declaration of Independence
Assignment: Does questioning authority make a society stronger? Plan and write
an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your
position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies,
experience, or observations.
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Analysis of Prompt:
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It is asking you if questioning authority makes a society stronger. While you certainly
must take a stand and provide strong supporting examples in an SAT essay, there’s
really no need to provide a counter-argument. In fact, presenting an alternative view
in an SAT Essay would be hard to do, waste your time, and worst of all, be confusing
and distracting from the point of view you are making. Just focus on making your
deep thoughts into clear thoughts! 
ESSAY (7): Advice from a Princeton
Review Instructor
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Most students prefer the ACT Essay prompts.
Without question they are more specific and more relevant to a
high school junior/senior’s life.
An occasional student will like the flexibility the SAT Essay
prompts provide them in terms of choosing examples from a
variety of different sources.
Bottom line: if you’re a decent writer who understands how to
present a clear thesis, back it up with a few strong supporting
examples, and tie it up in a bow with a good, summarizing
conclusion, then you’ll do fine with either the SAT or ACT
Essay
SCIENCE on ACT (1): Basic Facts
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This is the most obvious difference b/t the two tests.
The ACT Science section always comes fourth, after
the Reading Test and before the Essay.
Remember that tough bio test for which you had to
memorize dozens of facts about photosynthesis?
And when you sat down to take the test, you either
knew the answer or you didn’t? Well, that’s not the
case on the science portion of the ACT. Even
though the word “science” appears on the title, this
test doesn’t resemble the science tests you’ve taken
in HS
SCIENCE on ACT (2): Basic Facts
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The ACT Science Reasoning test presents you with
science-based reading passages and requires that
you answer questions about them.
Sounds just like the Reading test, doesn’t it? That’s
because it is juse like the Reading Test! 
In fact, Princeton Review thinks the ACT should call
this section the “Science Reading Test”!
Rather than test your knowledge of science, it’s
supposed to test your ability to “think about science”.
SCIENCE on ACT (3): Basic Facts
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Of course, a little science knowledge doesn’t hurt.
If a passage is about photosynthesis, you’ll
undoubtedly do better if you know what
photosynthesis is.
But remember, the information you need to answer
each question is contained within the passage itself!
So, if Science has never been your strength, don’t
worry. There are ways to master scientific
reasoning, even if you don’t know anything about
photosynthesis, bacteria, the periodic table, or
quantum mechanics
SCIENCE on ACT (4): A Closer Look
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The Science Reasoning test has 7
passages, each of which is followed by 5-7
questions. In all, you have 35 minutes to
answer 40 questions.
All passages fall within three basic
categories: (see next few slides)
1.
2.
3.
Charts and Graphs (aka Data Representation)
Experiments (aka Research Summaries)
Fighting Scientists (aka Conflicting Viewpoints)
SCIENCE on ACT (5):
Charts & Graphs Category
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These passages provide you with one or
more charts, tables, graphs, or illustrations
They are intended to test your ability to
understand and interpret the information
that’s presented.
(see Mrs. H’s book, pg 155 for a sample
question)
SCIENCE on ACT (6):
Experiments Category
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These passages describe several
experiments—and their results—to see
whether you can follow the procedures in
each experiment (or experiments) and
interpret them
See Mrs. H’s book, pg 148 for a sample
question
SCIENCE on ACT (7):
Fighting Scientists Category
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These passages present (usually) two or three conflicting
views on a research hypothesis.
Typical topics include:
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“Is There Life on Mars?”
“Where Did the Dinosaurs Go?”
“What’s Fire?”
Frequently, the “fight” is over something that has already been
resolved. You will be asked about the conflict and the
evidence supporting each view.
It may also ask you to figure out what kind of evidence might
actually resolve the conflict.
(see Mrs. H’s book, pg 157 for a sample question)
SCIENCE on ACT (8):
Advice from Princeton Review
Instructor
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Students who love science are never scared of the ACT
Science Test. However, that doesn’t mean all of these kids
always score well on this section.
Some traditional science/math brain kids actually struggle
here because their critical reading skills aren’t up to par
This test is truly more like a reading test whose subject matter
happens to be science but with some added charts, graphs,
and tables.
Regardless, any student who wants to do well here will need
to ensure he/she has a basic understanding of the scientific
method.
Remember that this is an open-book test—everything you
need to answer the questions is right there in the passage