HILL-MURRAY SCHOOL
ACT and SAT Testing

SAT vs ACT (How do the tests compare?)

What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? They’re both standardized tests and they both factor into the college admissions process. And guess what - they’re both changing in Spring 2005! To learn about the differences between the two tests and how they compare, take a look at the chart below.

At Hill-Murray

All students at Hill-Murray take the PLAN test, which is an ACT predictor, during their sophomore year, and the PSAT, which is an SAT predictor, during their junior year. Analyzing these two scores with the help of the ACT SAT Score Comparisons table, elsewhere in this book, should help with the decision of which test to take. Of course, students are able to take both tests.

REMINDERS ABOUT TEST TAKING

1. Check each college for its requirements about SAT/ACT; how many and which Subject Tests; requirements for writing test; last test results accepted for application. The SAT Subject Tests are also called SAT II.
2. On both the SAT and ACT there is room to list four colleges to which your results will be sent. If you do release scores to Hill-Murray, they are placed on a transcript. However, some schools will only accept scores sent directly from SAT/ACT. Please contact your particular school(s).
3. Allow six weeks:
• To register - the registration deadline is about six weeks before the test date.
• To report scores - it takes six weeks from the test date for colleges to receive your results
4. You cannot take both the SAT and Subject Tests on the same date.
5. Note Subject Test Dates carefully: Subject Tests are not offered on all SAT Test Dates. Certain Subject Tests are only offered on one or two test dates.

WHICH TEST TO TAKE WHEN

The Hill-Murray Guidance & Counseling Department recommends:

1. Taking SAT and/or ACT in spring of junior year and re-taking in senior year if necessary.
2. Consider the requirements of colleges for particular SAT Subject Test dates.
3. Take SAT Subject Tests in June of junior year, December of senior year, or the terminal year of the subject, i.e., biology at the end of sophomore year.
4. Subject Tests commonly recommended:
• Writing
• Mathematics
A
• subject in which you feel qualified
• A foreign language, if placement or meeting college requirements is possible

THE FIVE MAJOR TYPES OF TESTS

1. PSAT/NMSQT: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Qualifying Test (CEEB Test Program). Given in October to juniors. Same format as SAT. Useful as an indicator of SAT scores and/or test practices. The score is the basis for selection for National Merit Scholarships. Test scores attract some college mailing.
2. SAT I: Reasoning Test (CEEB Test Program) A three-hour test measuring verbal and mathematical reasoning ability. It may be taken more than one time. Most competitive colleges and universities require SAT scores for admission.
3. SAT II: Subject Test (CEEB Test Program) One-hour tests measuring knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge in specific subject areas. It is possible for students to take three Subject Tests on one test date. Many competitive colleges require three Subject Tests; one is usually the Writing Test. Subject Tests are offered on several dates during the year; usually, but not always, when SAT is offered. Some of the tests given are American History, Biology, Chemistry, World History, French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish.
4. ACT American College Testing Program (ACT Test Program) Four 35-50 minute tests in academic areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Four separate scores plus a composite score averaging the tests. Commonly required by public colleges and some private colleges in the Midwest, West and South. Required by Minnesota state universities.
5. AP Advanced Placement Tests (CEEB Test Program) Advanced Placement courses lead to exams in the spring for college credit or advanced standing.

The best preparation for taking standardized tests is consistent work in academic courses. We emphasize the importance of reading. If additional help is desired, there are preparation packages available in the Career Resource Center.

Having said what these tests are, we must remember what they are not. They do not give data on motivation, self-discipline, concern for others, sense of humor, and all those qualities of mind and heart so important when a college is selecting a freshman class. College admissions officers place more emphasis on a student's high school record than on the college entrance examination.

SAT I - ACT SCORE COMPARISONS

To compare combined verbal and math scores (re centered) on the SAT I: Reasoning Test with composite scores on the enhanced ACT Assessment, and vice versa.

Points to Note: Equivalent scores are those with the same percentile ranks for a common group of test takers. A concordance table is dependent upon the sample used to establish the relationship between two sets of scores. Other available SAT I - ACT tables use different samples of colleges and students than this table, resulting in slightly different equivalent scores. For this reason, the best concordance table is one that is established for and used by a specific institution. SAT I scores do not cover the full range of the ACT scale due to differences in how percentiles are distributed at the top and bottom of the two scales.

NOW THAT YOU'VE TAKEN THE ACT...

• Click here to find out from ACT about how often you can take the ACT (Once there, scroll down to "How often...")