SAT/ACT Why So Confusing?

2. SAT/ACT Why So Confusing?

3. How We Got Here… The SAT Carl Brigham 1926 First Administered to College Applicants 1938 All members of the College Board were persuaded to use the SAT in Admissions 1952 The test started to look like it does now. Over a half million students took the SAT 1959 A competing college admissions testing organization is formed- American College Testing 1960 The California Board of Regents begins requiring the SAT for member schools thus becoming their biggest customer.

4. How we got here… the SAT • 1960 The California Board of Regents begins requiring the SAT for member schools thus becoming their biggest customer. • 1994 The math “grid” and calculators were allowed • 1990 Name Change to Scholastic Assessment Test • 1993 SAT 1 and it does not stand for anything • 1995 428 V and 478 math was reentered to 500 • 2004 Name Change to SAT Reasoning Test • 2005 Based on University of California systems threats to stop using the test the SAT is overhauled- Analogies and quantitative comparison sections are deleted, a writing test is added and the difficulty of the test is increased slightly to decrease the incidents of perfect scores.

5. How we got here….. The ACT • It would test broad competencies, rather than rote memorization. • It would encourage students both to acquire knowledge and to learn how to use it in productive ways. • Results from the new test would ultimately serve many purposes—providing information for • educational planning, • course planning • placement • career counseling • Instructional planning E. F. Lindquist

6. How we got here ACT • First administered in 1959 • 1989 ACT better integrated the career development aspects of the assessment changing the name to the Enhanced ACT • The ACT re-centered scores in the mid-90s in response to SAT • 2005 Optional Writing Assessment is added.

8. SAT/ACT Comparison

9. Which is Harder SAT/ACT?

11. SAT/ACT Comparison SAT ACT incorporates the objectives for instruction for middle and high schools throughout the United States, reviews approved textbooks for subjects taught in Grades 7–12, and surveys educators on which knowledge skills are relevant to success in postsecondary education assesses how well the test takers analyze and solve problems—skills they learned in school that they will need in college

12. SAT/ACT Timing • SAT • structured such that the test taker is allowed at least one minute per question, on generally shorter sections (25 or fewer questions). • 3 hours, 45 minutes total • ACT • 45 minutes for a 75-question English section • 60 minutes for a 60-question Math section • 35 minutes for a 40-question Reading Comprehension section • 35 minutes for a 40-question Science section • 3 hours, 25 minutes total

13. SAT/ACT Format • 10 Sections: 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing (including Essay), 1 Experimental (not scored) • 4 Sections (plus optional Writing Test): English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing

14. SAT/ACT Reading • Reading passages with questions pertaining to comprehension and sentence completion • Passages are included from the arts, science, and social science • 4 passages, 10 questions per passage • Reading Comprehension and Reading Social Studies scores are reported.

15. SAT/ACT Science • There is no science section however, students should plan to analyze a reading passage from the sciences and answer questions that test comprehension and science vocabulary on the Critical Reading sections. • Science Test that measures analysis, knowledge, problem solving

16. SAT/ACT Math • Arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and algebra II • Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry (about 7%)

17. SAT/ACT Writing • SAT – Required writing sample • ACT Writing includes a multiple choice English section which includes grammar. The essay is optional

18. SAT/ACT Score Composition • SAT • 1/3 Math • 1/3 Reading • 1/3 Writing • Aggregate score 600 - 2400 based on total of 3 scores 200- 800 (Reading, Math, Writing) • Score of 0-12 for Essay • ACT • ¼ English • ¼ Math • ¼ Reading • ¼ Science • Composite score 1-36 based on average of 4 sections (English Math, Reading Science) • Score 0-12 for Optional Essay.

19. SAT/ACT Strategy • Correction for Guessing • Many questions are designed to slow the test taker down. Students may want to skip time consuming questions for later • No Correction for Guessing • The ACT is much more “speeded” . Students do not get anything like 1 min. per question

20. SAT/ACT Possibly Irrational Generalizations • You might do better on the SAT if you………. • Enjoy brain teasers and riddles • Don’t have to study to pass tests • Are street smart • Are good at reading ‘between the lines” • Have a good eye for detail • Do better on ability tests than achievement tests • You might do better on the ACT if you ………. • Have a good long term memory for facts. • Work hard in school to earn good grades • Are “book smart” • Are better at reading for large concepts and themes • Do better on achievement tests

21. Resources • http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice • SHS SAT Prep Course • GACOLLEGE411.org • Commercially available resources • PSAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! • How to prepare for the ACT • GACollege411.org • Commercially available resources • www.ACT.org

22. The Redesigned SAT

23. Jerry W. Cox, Ed.S. • Licensed Professional Counselor • Cherokee Center for Change • (678) 619-5147 • Cherokee County School District • (770) 479-1871