Why are the SAT and the ACT important?
Short answer: because at most colleges, a strong score in either of these tests can help a student get admitted or can help with obtaining a scholarship, or both. It is true that most colleges are test optional: the student can decide whether or not to submit a test score. But, only a small percentage of colleges do not consider test scores at all.
So, unless the college is one of the few who have said they will not consider test scores, the student can look up the profile of admitted students, and if their test scores are above the school’s average, there’s every reason to believe that submitting the test score will benefit them. Many schools have reported that even though they are test optional, more than half of admitted students have submitted test scores.
So, unless the college is one of the few who have said they will not consider test scores, the student can look up the profile of admitted students, and if their test scores are above the school’s average, there’s every reason to believe that submitting the test score will benefit them. Many schools have reported that even though they are test optional, more than half of admitted students have submitted test scores.
Having a strong SAT or ACT score can still be very important for admission or for getting a scholarship.
–also, Perry tutors for all the high school math and physics courses–
So which test should I study for and which test should I submit?
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Perry’s advice is almost always to try to determine early in the process which of the two tests the student is going to do best on, and then study for that test rather than spending a lot of time working on both tests. If a student has had the opportunity to take the PSAT and the preACT, this often suggest a good direction to take. Taking a practice test of each can accomplish the same thing. Often the student can make a good decision between the two tests by comparing their strengths against the strengths required by the two tests.
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What are some differences between the current SAT and ACT?
(See below for news about a new SAT that is coming soon).
Here are some of the main differences:
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It is true of both tests that if one masters the subject matter in multiple practice tests, one can expect to do well taking the next test; while all the questions will be new, the concepts and subject matter included in each test are very predictable. |
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A New SAT is Coming
The SAT is going digital: it will be entirely computer-based. Here are the highlights. Stay tuned for a more in-depth description of the new test (probably in a BLOG post). Perry will be tutoring for the new test for rising juniors this summer.
THE BIG NEWS:It’s all digital – entirely on the computer. Testing will continue to be in a proctored setting. College Board will make arrangements for computers for those who need one.
FORMAT:Two English sections and two math sections. Each English sections will be a combination of reading comprehension and writing and language.
ADAPTIVE STRUCTURE (THE OTHER BIG NEWS):The first English section will be of average difficulty. The second will be either more difficult or less difficult questions, depending on how the student did on the first section. Likewise, the math sections will take the same adaptive approach. By using this adaptive format, the test will be able to be about one hour shorter and still assess the student’s performance level. Unlike the current test, hard questions will be worth more points than easy questions.
WHAT STUDENTS MAY LIKE:Reading passages are much shorter, and there is one question per passage. There’s more time per question.
CALCULATORS:Use of a calculator is permitted on both math sections. The Desmos graphing calculator is integrated into the test and always available during math sections.
RECORDING ANSWERS:Students will be able to go back over any questions in the current section during the allotted time, but cannot go back to previous sections. Answers are recorded on the screen. Scratch paper is allowed.
WHEN? – AND WHO IS IMPACTED?For US students, the class of 2025 is the first to get the new test. So, the PSAT this fall and the SAT beginning March 2024 are in the new format. (International students are getting the new test one year sooner. Also, a few US students whose testing date might have been canceled for some reason are being offered a digital test a couple weeks later.) |
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"I just wanted to thank you so much for your help. I received my scores this morning and my composite went from a 25 to a 29. My math score went from a 19 to a 26! So thankful for your help. I have decided to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. Because of your help, I was able to receive a hefty academic scholarship there, cutting my tuition in half. I applied to two other schools, Clemson and the University of Georgia and was accepted to both, as well as received the Classic Scholars scholarship from UGA, a huge honor. I truly could not have been accepted to these three schools without you, and have passed your name along to many of my younger friends. Thank you so much!" - M.R. 
[ACT Student]"Perry helped our daughter tremendously. He helped raise her score by 5 points. So glad she was able to work with you. She was accepted to UNC- Chapel Hill, Elon, Duke, and UNC- Wilmington." - A.M. |
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