Many parents and students wonder what the differences between the SAT and ACT are. For whatever reason, East Coast schools have always had a bias towards the SAT, while we in the Midwest generally prefer the ACT — with the exception of the very top tier students, who are often encouraged to take both. In terms of what the tests actually measure, the SAT attempts to measure problem-solving ability and critical thinking, while the ACT measures mastery of the core high school curriculum. Because the ACT is knowledge-based, it may be easier to prepare for. The best preparation is taking multiple practice tests. That is why students who take multiple ACT exams often are able to raise their scores by several points. In terms of structure, The SAT is made up of three parts: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. The ACT is made up of four sections: Math, Reading, English, and ACT Science Reasoning. The ACT also has an optional 30-minute writing test. If a student decides to take the ACT, it is generally a good idea to take the writing portion at least once. Many counselors recommend exposing students to both tests and then having them take whichever test they are most comfortable with. Both websites — The College Board and the ACT — have sample test questions. Colleges will accept either test. Some very selective colleges also may request SAT subject tests — optimally taken at the end of the school year in which the subject is studied.
There is a lot of controversy over the necessity of test preparation. While there are many tutoring companies invested in making their services look valuable, there is very little evidence that paid test preparation for either test is effective. Anecdotally, I know some kids including my own, whose scores actually went down after tutoring. Maybe this is unusual. My recommendation is, have your students take as many practice tests as they can. There are free tests online, as well as practice books available that are filled with old tests.
