College application deadlines loom in the future, with essays and application fees adding to the sense of foreboding, and it’s not even spooky season. What can you do to be as prepared as possible, so that the last years of high school are spent in excitement and dedication, not dread and procrastination? One major question I am often asked by parents of college-bound students: Should I sign them up for the ACT or the SAT? Let’s take a look at the differences and similarities so you can make the best decision.

SAT Test

Started in 1926, this test has been the great determinant for many competitive college applicants for decades. Now computer based, the test can take up to 2 hours and 15 minutes, and covers two broad subjects: reading/writing and math. The material covered in the SAT is approximately the same as the ACT, with one key difference: more critical thinking and challenging question structures make this test better for the puzzle solvers. Do you find your student playing riddle games, reading mysteries, excelling at sudoku or wordle? The SAT might be a good fit. Questions often include misdirects, such as “How many eggs with be needed for doubled recipe?” when the original information was presented in dozens, not single eggs. Another common example is to solve an algebra equation with X, but if you read carefully, the instructions ask for 3X + 7, not just X. These tricky questions trip up many students who get excited to see the number/answer they found as one of the multiple choice options, but don’t realize there’s just one more step. For students who read recipes before cooking, can build an Ikea bookcase in an hour flat or like asking tricky questions themselves, this is the test for you.

ACT Test

Beginning in the 1950’s, the ACT takes a different stance on measuring a student’s readiness for college: pure knowledge. The testing period is longer than SAT, about 3 hours, or longer if you opt in for the essay portion, and includes a scientific reasoning section. As I mentioned, the SAT is great for those who like trick questions and riddles, while the ACT is a better barometer of knowledge learned in the subjects covered. Questions on this test tend to be slightly more difficult, but very straightforward. If your student would rather receive clearcut questions and answers from you and their teacher, their learning style lends itself to this test. That’s not to say there is no critical thinking; the science portion requires no prior knowledge, but it does challenge students to use only the information available offered in the passage provided to answer questions. This includes reading graphs and understanding implications. Because of its directness, more students are starting to opt for ACT, especially those who want the chance to show off their writing skills in the optional essay portion.

Which should I choose?

The bottom line: either test will give a good idea of your student’s readiness for college, and both scores can be improved with practice. Many students who have the opportunity prefer to take both, and present only the best score to their prospective colleges. The choice is in your hands, but I can help to reduce some of the stress of test prep and college applications. Using my 15 years of experience, we can break down scores from the PSAT or previous tests with underwhelming scores to see exactly where your student excels, and in which subjects they might need more preparation. College application time is stressful for everyone, with the application fees, a score of different essays, scholarships and the dreaded waiting for responses. Let’s take some of that off your plate, and get your student ready for their exciting new step. Reach out now for a free consultation!