Thanks to everyone who attended last night's Demystifying Standardized Testing event here at ElRo. I think those who came would agree that you came away with lots of great information about college admission testing. Thank you to Kaplan for generously offering to present and share so many good tips.
Couldn't make it last night? Here are the general take aways:
-- Students should explore both the ACT and SAT to determine which exam they are naturally better on. Then take that exam two times using whatever preparation method works best for them. For some people, that will just mean taking a few free practice tests, others will take a group prep class, others still will opt for one on one tutoring.
-- All colleges take both the SAT and ACT - there is no advantage to using one test or the other. Pick the test that is best for you.
-- The ACT has a science section, but it is really more of a reading and graph comprehension section. Don't let it scare you if you think you aren't a science whiz.
-- The SAT has many short sections and is a longer test. The ACT has fewer sections, but each section is longer.
-- The SAT is out of 2400 points and the ACT is out of 36 points. Compare your performance on the two exams by clicking here.
-- Some colleges (usually the most selective schools in the country) require Subject Tests in addition to the regular SAT or ACT. Most students at ElRo are better served raising their main SAT/ACT score than worrying about these extra tests - BUT for students that notice they are consistently earning top grades and breezing through their ElRo classes, taking a subject test might be something to explore. Extra bonus -- many colleges that ask for Subject Tests will also accept the ACT with writing in place of the SAT and subject tests - so one ACT can be submitted instead of three (the SAT and two subject tests).
-- If you do decide to take a subject test, it is best to take it at the end of the school year when you finish that subject (so for world history, for example, that might be the end of sophomore year when you finish global).
-- The ACT or SAT should be taken at least once in the spring of Junior year (usually between the months of March and June). They can be retaken for a second time as late as November of Senior year.
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