The document provides an overview of the differences between the SAT and ACT exams. It discusses the format, scoring, content, and style of questions for each test. The document suggests considering a student's time management skills, focus, logic/reasoning abilities, and interest in reading to determine which test may be a better fit. It recommends having students take practice tests of each to compare scores before deciding. Additional tips for preparation and options for test prep courses are also outlined.

1. SAT vs. ACT:
Which Test is Right for
My Child?

2. Ken Wollins
Managing Director
Office: 212.913.0500 x571
Mobile: 781.690.4058
Email: ken.wollins@tomorrowsgenius.com
1407 Broadway, Suite 1220
New York, NY 10018
www.tomorrowsgenius.com
SAT vs. ACT:
Which Test is Right for
My Child?

3. Our Agenda
Today’s objective:
– Understand the differences and similarities between the
SAT and ACT exams
– Help determine which exam is right for your children
• Brief introductions
• What we know about the SAT & ACT exams
• Q & A
3

4. What is the SAT?
• SAT used to stand for Scholastic
Aptitude/Assessment Test… it doesn’t stand for
anything anymore!
• Test Length: 3 hour and 45 minute exam
– 10 sections
• 3 Critical Reading Sections
• 3 Math Sections
• 3 Writing Sections
• 1 Experimental Section
– Scored range is a 200-800 in three sections
– Total score is between a 600 and a 2400; average score is
about a 1518
• The SAT costs $41.50 and includes 4 score reports
4

5. What is the ACT?
• ACT used to stand for American College Testing… today it
doesn't stand for anything!
• Test length: 2 hours and 55 minutes, unless students choose to
take the optional 30 minute Writing Test in which case the total
testing time increases to 3 hours, 30 minutes
– 5 tests (the ACT refers to sections as tests)
• 1 English Test
• 1 Math Test
• 1 Reading Test
• 1 Science Test
• 1 Optional Writing Test
• Students receive a composite score between 1 and 36.
– This score is an average of the 4 multiple-choice sections (The writing
score isn’t included in the composite score); average score is 21.1
• The cost is $29.00, which includes four score reports
– The ACT Plus Writing is $43.00
5

6. Test Style & Difficulty
• SAT
– tricky, questions can be phrased in ways that make them difficult
to understand
– questions increase in difficulty level as you move through a
section
**reading passage questions progress chronologically through the
passage
• ACT
– straightforward, questions may be long and challenging but are
usually less difficult to understand
– difficulty level of the questions is random throughout the sections
6

7. SAT vs. ACT – Which Do Colleges Prefer?
7
In 2012, the ACT overtook the SAT in test-takers for the first time, with
1,666,017 students taking the ACT and 1,664,479 students taking the SAT.
Today, almost all colleges accept both exams, so students should take
the exam they are most comfortable with.

8. Why Students take the ACT
• Replaces Subject Tests (for some schools)
• More friendly extended time
• Shorter test
• No vocabulary memorization
• No penalty for guessing
• More choice around sharing scores
• Accepted by more colleges
• Optional essay section
• More straightforward math
8

9. The ACT vs. The SAT – Overview
9

10. In-depth Analysis of SAT vs. ACT
10
SAT ACT
What does it measure?
Aptitude test - measures student's
reasoning and verbal abilities
Achievement test - measures what student
learned in school
Components
3 components: critical reading,
mathematics, writing
5 components: English, mathematics,
reading, writing, science
Scoring
Guessing is discouraged, student is
penalized a 1/4 of a point for every
wrong answer
Guessing is allowed, no penalty for wrong
answers
Content
Requires solid foundation in geometry
and algebra. Includes story problems
and creative application of the basic
rules of geometry. Greater emphasis on
reading comprehension and vocabulary.
In order to test reasoning and problem
solving skills, questions are designed to be
indirect, and tricky.
Requires solid foundation in geometry and
algebra, as well as basic trigonometry.
English section puts greater emphasis on
grammar and syntax rather than
vocabulary. Science section requires good
background in HS level biology, physics, and
earth science, as well as interpreting graphs
and charts, and constructing scientific
hypotheses. Questions are simple and
straight-forward.
Best time to register? At least six weeks before the test date At least four weeks before the test date

11. SAT vs. ACT – Sample Questions
SUBJECT SAT ACT
Math
A man at a factory is tasked with capping jars in
the following order: blue, yellow, green, and red.
He must always maintain this order of colored
caps in a sequence. After his lunch break, he
puts a green cap on a jar. It is the first cap he
applies. This being the case, which of the
following jar numbers could have a blue cap?
The sequence 4, 7, 9, 12, 4, 7, 9,
12…. repeats indefinitely. What
is the 8,905,432nd number in
the sequence?
11
For Example (1):

12. SAT vs. ACT – Sample Questions
SUBJECT ACT OR SAT ONLY ACT
Math
12
For Example (2):

13. SAT vs. ACT – Sample Questions
SUBJECT SAT ACT
English
“If the author of passage 1 read lines
45-47 of passage 2, which of the
following is he least likely to offer as a
response?”
“What was Jane trying to accomplish by
talking to her uncle?”
13
For Example (3):

14. Which Test Is Best For My Child?
• 85% of students will do equally well on both exams
• 15% will perform significantly better on one over the
other
• Factors to look at when determining best fit:
– Time Management Skills
– Focus
– Logic and Reasoning Ability
– Vocabulary and Interest in Reading
14

15. Which Test Is Best For My Child?
• Get official testing booklets for each exam (these books have
real SAT’s and ACT’s, and real grading rubrics):
– The Official College Board SAT Manual
– The Official ACT Practice Test Manual
• Have students familiarize themselves with each test, and then sit
down and take each test IN FULL with NO INTERRUPTIONS.
• Grade and compare scores:
– http://www.act.org/solutions/college-career-readiness/compare-act-sat/
• Don’t worry about your child’s performance on the science
section of the ACT (very teachable)
• If your child scored SIGNIFICANTLY higher (100+ points difference)
on one exam, that is the exam they should be taking. If there is
very little to no difference, they should take the test they feel the
MOST comfortable with.
15

16. Test Taking Strategies and Tips
• Students should begin test prep in the spring of their
sophomore year in order to be prepared to take the
tests in the fall or spring of junior year
• Practice, full-length, timed exams are key to eliminating
anxiety during actual exam
• Use process of elimination
• Write down what you are solving for, and show all work
in organized fashion
• Don’t second guess yourself (trust your gut)
• Don’t rush
• Research and take test prep classes (one-on-one, small
group classes, in-person, online, etc.)
16

17. Test Prep Options
Prep Center Methodology Price Range
Kaplan
On-site Classroom Courses
Multiple Online Options (Live & Self-
Paced)
$600-$1100 across multiple options
Princeton Review
On-site Classroom Courses
Multiple Online Options (Live & Self-
Paced)
$600-$6000 across multiple options
Tomorrow’s
Genius Live Online Classroom Instruction;
customized small group & one on one
$250-$850 across multiple options
17
Students should begin test prep in the spring of their sophomore year in order
to be prepared to take the tests in the fall or spring of junior year