SAT
ACT: WHAT
THESE TESTS?
AND
ARE
Nancy Daves, MA
VP of Customer Relations
nancy@methodtestprep.com
SAT
Reading
200-800 points
70 Minutes
1 20-minute section
2 25-minute sections
Math
200-800 points
70 Minutes
1 20-minute section
2 25-minute sections
Writing
200-800 points
60 Minutes
1 10-minute section
2 25-minute sections
48 Passage-based reading questions
Tests comprehension of what is stated in or implied by
the passage.
19 Sentence completion questions
Tests vocabulary and understanding of sentence
structure.
44 Multiple choice questions
Students asked to solve a problem and pick the best
choice offered.
10 Student-produced responses
Students are not given answer choices; must solve the
problem and "grid in" the answers.
25 Improving Sentences
Tests ability to correct faults in usage and sentence
structure, and recognize effective sentences that follow
the conventions of Standard Written English.
18 Identifying sentence errors
Tests ability to recognize faults in usage, and recognize
effective sentences that follow the conventions of
Standard Written English.
6 Improving Paragraphs
Tests ability to revise sentences in the context of a
paragraph or the entire essay, organize and develop
paragraphs in a coherent and logical manner, and apply
the conventions of Standard Written English.
1 Essay
The SAT® begins with an essay. Students will be asked to
present and support a point of view on a specific issue.
Because there is only 25 minutes, the essay is not
expected to be polished - it is meant to be a first draft.
ACT
Test
Content
English
75 questions
45 minutes
Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
Mathematics
60 questions
60 minutes
Measures mathematical skills students have typically
acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
Reading
40 questions
35 minutes
Measures reading comprehension.
Science
40 questions
35 minutes
Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning,
and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
1 prompt
30 minutes
Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English
classes and in entry-level college composition courses.
Optional
Writing Test
DIFFERENCES

BETWEEN
SAT







Math section only
contains Algebra and
Geometry
Explicitly tests
vocabulary
Questions are abstract:
the questions look and
feel different than those
from school
Essay is mandatory
No science section
Timing is not as difficult
SAT
AND
ACT
ACT






Math section contains
Algebra, Geometry, and
Trigonometry
Vocabulary is not tested
Questions are much
more straightforward
(almost the same as
questions students see
in school)
Essay is optional
Contains a science
section
Time is extremely
difficult
*Both tests offer score choice*
SAT
VS
ACT ENGLISH
SAT
VS
ACT MATH
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE SAT

If at least one answer choice can be eliminated, guess

¼ pt. deducted for wrong answers

More inferring/reasoning

All sections go from easiest to hardest except reading
passages questions

Vocabulary is extremely important

More intimidating-questions look worse than they are

Plugging in numbers almost 20-25 of the 54 math questions
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE ACT

Answer every question

Sections are longer than SAT—students who work quicker
and have better time management tend to do better

Reading comp—more literal than the SAT, less complicated

4 answer choices on all sections except math

Science looks more intimidating than it is - more a test of
reading and reasoning skills

Biggest challenge of English section is time crunch

Math has a larger range of difficulty than the SAT: covers
higher level Algebra and includes Trigonometry
STUDENTS MAY PREFER…

SAT if –

Tests well

Very strong in math


Have time
management issues
Good at changing
gears

ACT if 
Strong time
management

Stronger in English

Like science

Do well in class
TEST FEEDBACK

SAT

ACT

Question-and-Answer
Service (Q&A)

Test Information
Release (TIR)

Get the entire test
booklet back – test
scores and answers!

Get the entire test
booklet back – test
scores and answers!

Offered for 3 of the 7
tests

Offered for 3 of the 6
tests



January
May
October



April
June
December
Students should be encouraged to take these exams
and use the returned tests to their advantage!

SAT Timeline

PSAT/NMSQT: October


ACT Timeline

Results in December
SAT
Start preparing after
PSAT
 Ideal first test in
January*
 Order Question-AndAnswer Service
(QAS*)
 Leaves time for
another test in spring
(March, May*, June)
 Last: Oct*/Nov senior
year


PLAN


Sophomore year
ACT
Start preparing January
 Ideal first test in April*
 Order Test Information
Release (TIR*)
 Leaves time for
another test in
summer (June*)
 Must know more math
 Last: Sep/Oct senior
year

ROOT CAUSES
OF
MISTAKES

Lack of familiarity with content

Failure to read carefully


Assumption that questions are like the ones
in high school classes
Nervousness/time stress
ESSENTIAL KEYS
DAY
TO




PERFORMING
ON
TEST
Information—Being informed is
key. Students who are well
prepared will NEVER be surprised
by the test.
Confidence—If students have a
strong belief that they have done
all they need to in order to be
ready, they will do better.
Competitive fire—students pit
themselves not only against the
test but against others in the
room.
Relax—Overcoming anxiety is
crucial to success.
SUPER-SCORING

Every Test Counts!


Some schools will “super score” the SAT or ACT,
meaning that they will take the best scores from
each section and combine them for a new
composite score.
Example SAT super score:

Test 1: M: 520 R: 600 W: 640

Test 2: M: 640 R: 590 W: 650

Test 3: M: 590 R: 680 W: 570
FINAL: M: 640 R: 680 W: 650


It is my hope you will walk away from this
presentation with a better understanding of
the SAT and ACT tests.
If you have any follow up questions:
nancy@methodtestprep.com
877-871-7737 ext 31