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Admission Testing

College Admission Testing

ACT vs. SAT

The road to college can be confusing one — but choosing the right admission test to take doesn’t have to be! While most colleges across the country accept scores from either the SAT or ACT test, there are differences, and in many ways, they measure different skills. Check with your guidance counselor and college admission offices to decide which test is right for you.

 

Register for the ACT online.

Register for the SAT online.

 

Testing Resources

ACT Study Guide (Mometrix)

SAT ACT
Why Take it Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
Test Structure
  • Math
  • Reading
  • Writing and Language
  • Essay (Optional)
  • Math
  • Reading
  • English
  • Science
  • Essay (Optional)
Length 3 hours (without essay)
3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)
2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)
3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)
Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages
Science None 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge)
Math Covers:
  • Arithmetic
  • Algebra I & II
  • Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis
Covers:
  • Arithmetic
  • Algebra I & II
  • Geometry and Trigonometry
Tools Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator.

You can use a calculator on all math questions.

 

Essay Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text. Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues.
How it’s Scored Scored on a scale of 400-1600 Scored on a scale of 1-36