Knowing the Difference:
TOOLS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE BEST TEST FOR YOUR TEEN
Since most colleges accept scores from either the ACT or SAT, knowing which
exam to zero in on can help maximize anyone’s results.
Check out these three tools to help you make an educated
decision when deciding which exam to take.
1. THE PRINCETON REVIEW offers a free, live online quiz on the ACT/
SAT to help teens determine their best fit. Visit princetonreview.com
2. KAPLAN’S SAT/ACT COMBO PRACTICE TEST meshes sections of
Being clear about which exam fits your teen’s
testing style and strengths will not only help
you save money but it will also help boost
your teen’s overall confidence, giving them
peace of mind.
• At many universities, the difference of one
point on the ACT can equate to thousands
in freshmen merit scholarships—
Auburn University awards $12,000 for
28-29 and $34,000 for 30-31.
both tests and lets participants see the results to gain a sense of how well they might
do on either test. Check out kaptest.com to learn more.
• There are about 850 test-optional colleges
3. THE OLD FASHIONED WAY:
• More than 1.84 million 2014 high school
in the U.S.
graduates took the ACT
Does your teen:
• More than 1.67 million 2014 high school
need more time allotted to answer questions?
graduates took the SAT
have good language skills?
excel in math?
All of the above. If so, consider the SAT.
Does your teen:
work quickly on tests?
have a wider range of knowledge in science, math and language?
feel pressured with a guessing penalty?
All of the above. If so, consider the ACT.
LENGTH &
TIME
WRITING &
ESSAY
GUESSING
**Beginning in October 2015, SAT
will launch the revamped version
of the exam which will include an
optional essay portion. There will
no longer be a penalty for wrong
or unanswered questions. To learn
more about the updated SAT, please
visit sat.org
DESIGNED
TO:
SCORING
215 questions,
3hrs. 25mins.
Optional. 30mins.
Emphasis on punctuation
and rhetoric strategies.
Students will be
prompted to take a
stand on a potentially
controversial topic.
There is no penalty for
guessing. Students are
encouraged to mark an
answer for every question.
Test achievement
Each section
is scored out
of 36 points.
140 questions,
3hrs. 45mins.
Required. 25mins.
Students will be
prompted to elaborate
on a general issue using
outside examples/
sources.
There is a ¼ point
deduction for every wrong
answer.
Test aptitude
Each section
is scored
out of 800
points and is
weighted.
www.potentialmagazine.com
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