SAT + ACT RESOURCES

 

COLLEGE RESOURCES

2020 National Merit Semifinalists Qualifying Scores by State

Ivy League Admissions Data

SAT / ACT Comparison Chart

SAT Composite Score College Bound Seniors

 

SAT / ACT INFO

What's the SAT ?

The SAT is an exam that is used to determine admission for most colleges and universities throughout the United States.

What's on the SAT ?

Reading:

  • 52 multiple-choice questions

  • 65 minutes

  • Passages or pairs of passages (literature, historical documents, social sciences and natural sciences)

Writing & Language:

  • 44 multiple-choice questions

  • 35 minutes

  • Grammar, vocabulary in context, and editing skills

Math:

  • 58 multiple-choice questions (broken up into a 20-question ‘no calculator’ section and a 38-question ‘calculator allowed’ section)

  • 80 minutes (25 minutes for the ‘no calculator’ section and 55 minutes for the ‘calculator allowed’ section)

  • Algebra I and II, geometry, and some trigonometry

Essay (optional*):

  • 1 essay

  • 50 minutes

  • Read a passage and explain how the author builds a persuasive argument

How important are my SAT scores ?

It depends on the schools to which you are applying; some place tremendous emphasis on the SAT, while others consider it to be optional.  While the other components of an application are important, the SAT is one of the only ways for schools to assess applicants on a consistent component.  Thus, an excellent SAT score will give a student a high advantage in the application process.

What is the ACT ?

The ACT is a 3.5-hour long test (4 hour if taking ACT Plus Writing) used to determine admission for most colleges and universities throughout the United States.

What's on the ACT ?

English:

  • 75 multiple-choice questions

  • 45 minutes

  • Sentence structure, grammar and punctuation

Reading:

  • 40 multiple-choice questions

  • 35 minutes

Math:

  • 60 multiple-choice questions

  • 60 minutes

  • Algebra I and II, geometry, and some trigonometry

Science:

  • 40 multiple-choice questions

  • 35 minutes

  • Questions on science-based passages presented with graphs, charts, tables and research summary

Writing:

  • Writing test is optional

  • 40 minutes

  • 1 essay

How important are my ACT scores ?

It depends on the schools to which you are applying; some place tremendous emphasis on the ACT, while others consider it to be optional.  While the other components of an application are important, the ACT is one of the only ways for schools to assess applicants on a consistent component.  Thus, an excellent ACT score will give a student a high advantage in the application process.