SAT vs. ACT
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The document discusses strategies for taking the SAT vs the ACT and summarizes data from a SAT preparation program. It finds that a winning strategy is to use SAT skills training to build a strong foundation and then supplement with ACT preparation and taking the test. Students in the SAT prep program improved their scores substantially from initial evaluations to official tests. Some then improved further by preparing for and taking the ACT as well. The amount of gain possible depends on factors like initial evaluation, subject strengths, and commitment to preparation. Supplementing the SAT with the ACT allows students to put their best foot forward in the college admissions process.
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SAT vs. ACT
- 1. SAT or ACT? Breaking Myths, Finding Facts, and Planning the Winning Strategy
- 2. SAT vs.ACT - General Format SAT ACT Length 3 hours, 50 mins (including optional 50 minute essay) 3 hours, 35 mins (including optional 40 minute essay) Structure 4 Sections (Evidence- Based Reading,Writing, Math without calc., Math with calc.) 4 Sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) + Optional Essay. Scoring SAT ACT Score Out of 1600. 800 for Math and 800 for Reading+Writing. Optional Essay receives separate score, and subscores/ insight scores are available. No guessing penalty. Composite score on a scale of 1-36 (average of all sections). Essay contributes to ELA score. No guessing penalty. Reporting Scores You decide which full score(s) to send You decide which full score(s) to send
- 3. SAT vs.ACT- Content SAT ACT Critical Reading More vocabulary, evidence gathering More basic fact, less inference Math Until end of Algebra II (including Trigonometry). Increased focus on Data Analysis and Algebraic thinking. Until end of Algebra II. Few topics appear on ACT that do not on the SAT (all of conics, matrices, etc.). Scope more broadly distributed. Writing More word usage questions, bigger scope of grammar rules, ~50% of rhetoric questions. Lesser scope of grammar rules tested, less rhetoric questions percentage than SAT, more questions and repetition. Science Not tested, but Insight Score for Science is provided. Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation, and Problem Solving. Essay Read passage and explain authors argument Analyze 3 perspectivesà state your own
- 4. MEK SAT Program – How Effective? — MEK Way ◦ Dedicated and highly-trained instructors ◦ Emphasis on student’s goals ◦ Analysis of each student’s character and weakness ◦ Fostering and rigorous environment with high expectations ◦ Emphasis on the development of study skills and work ethic; within and outside of MEK.
- 5. MEK SAT Philosophy Score Improvement Content Motivation and Confidence Work Ethic and Study Habits Practice
- 6. MEK SAT- Analysis — 114 students committed themselves for MEK Summer SAT program. ◦ 7 week, daily course designed to introduce, instill and reinforce the MEK philosophy to support score progression. — Custom designed SAT materials and daily structure. — Initial evaluation scores ranged from 1000-2100 (class placement and strategy to support all levels) Semester # of Students Summer Only 38 Summer + Fall 76 Fall Only 38 Total 152
- 7. 1250 1450 1650 1850 2050 2250 Eval Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Test 5 Super Score Overall Score Improvement 1850+ 1600-1850 1400-1600 <1400
- 8. Eval. Range Improvement from super score Improvement from highest test 1850+ 254 215 1600-1850 405 355 1400-1600 369 341 <1400 371 345 Overall 339 301 254 405 369 371 339 215 355 341 345 301 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 1850+ 1600-1850 1400-1600 <1400 Overall Eval Score Total Improvement
- 9. 18 16 25 28 21 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 <200 200-275 275-350 350-475 475+ # of St. Improvement Range DistribuFon of Improvement
- 10. Fall planning: the key to consistency — No official test offered in summer. — Fall time introduces many new variables, most of which work to negatively affect the score gains from summer if not handled correctly. Eval: 1850+ Critical Reading Math Writing Total Summer Super 742 760 702 2203 Fall Peak 765 788 738 2250 Eval: 1600-1850 Summer Super 713 751 662 2126 Fall Peak 679 772 660 2075 Eval: 1400-1600 Summer Super 632 675 591 1898 Fall Peak 633 737 630 1907 Eval: <1400 Summer Super 521 615 507 1643 Fall Peak 560 628 508 1670
- 11. Official SAT Result Analysis 663 748 711 764 594 757 CR, Eval CR, Official M, Eval M, Official W, Eval W, Official Eval. vs. Official: 1850+ 581 689 653 744 513 693 CR, Eval CR, Official M, Eval M, Official W, Eval W, Official Eval. vs. Official: 1600-1850
- 12. 513 667 558 676 443 666 CR, Eval CR, Official M, Eval M, Official W, Eval W, Official Eval. vs. Official: 1400-1600 474 595 498 700 372 620 CR, Eval CR, Official M, Eval M, Official W, Eval W, Official Eval. vs. Official: <1400
- 13. 1972 2265 1746 2097 1514 1965 1344 1906 1750 2121 1850+, Eval 1850+, Official 1600-1850, Eval 1600-1850, Official 1400-1600, Eval 1400-1600, Official <1400, Eval <1400, Official All, Eval All, Official Official Scores vs. Eval Ranges Range Eval Official Change 1850+ 1972 2265 293 1600-1850 1746 2097 351 1400-1600 1514 1965 451 <1400 1344 1906 562 Overall 1750 2121 371
- 14. Preparation = Improvement 388 368 294 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 Summer+Fall Summer Only Fall Only Improvement based on Preparation Range Eval Official Change Summer+Fall 1755 2143 388 Summer Only 1834 2202 368 Fall Only 1622 1916 294
- 15. MEK Winning Strategy — SAT skills for training and use ACT score for application — SAT content foundation translates well to ACT demands ◦ SAT’s demand for some skills at a more rigorous level than ACT ◦ Short prep duration- foundation is laid! ◦ Colleges accept either score! ◦ Put your best foot forward
- 16. SAT à ACT Data — Starting Point (Official SAT) — Ending Point (ACT) Subject CR M W T Score 671 723 721 2094 Subject English Math Reading Composite Score 33 33 32 33
- 17. How much did it help? SAT Score ACT Score ACT Score’s SAT Equiv. Change Critical Reading 671 32 720 ~49 Math 723 33 740 ~17 Writing 721 33 740 ~19 Total 2094 33 2210~2250 ~116-156 49 17 19 136 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 CR M W T Projected Gains
- 18. Official SAT Score: 2200+ Avg. Official SAT Avg. Official ACT SAT Conversion Projected Gain 2273 35 2300~2350 27~77 Official SAT Score: 2100-2200 Avg. Official SAT Avg. Official ACT SAT Conversion Projected Gain 2128 33 2210~2250 82~122 Official SAT Score: <2100 Avg. Official SAT Avg. Official ACT SAT Conversion Projected Gain 1982 31 2110~2140 128~158 52 102 143 136 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 2200+ 2100-2200 <2100 Overall Gains vs. Official SAT Range
- 19. Case Study 1- Daniel Jeon Daniel Jeon (12) SAT Evaluation 1750 SAT Official 2040 ACT Prep. Duration 5 sessions, 7 practice tests ACT Official 34 Acquired Gain 240 points
- 20. Case Study 2- Amanda Lew Amanda Lew (11) SAT Evaluation 1460 SAT Official 1830 ACT Prep. Duration 8 sessions, 8 practice tests ACT Official 30 Acquired Gain 220 points
- 21. Case Study 3- Brian Chung Brian Chung (11) SAT Evaluation 1790 SAT Official 2290 ACT Prep. Duration 3 day special program- 4 full length tests ACT Official 36 Acquired Gain 90
- 22. What’s my winning Strategy? — Supplementing ACT after SAT is the proven way to put your best foot forward — Taking the ACT, SAT, or SAT and ACT dual programs depends on a few factors ◦ Initial Evaluation ◦ Performance ◦ School grades (GPA), performance in different subjects ◦ Motivation/ Work Ethic/ Desire
- 23. Core Requirements for Success Score Improvement Content Motivation and Confidence Work Ethic and Study Habits Practice