For most college-bound students, one of the main components of the admission process is submitting ACT or SAT scores along with their college applications. Seniors generally begin submitting their scores to the colleges they have selected near the beginning of their senior year. Here are some basic guidelines for ACT and SAT testing:
Before focusing on one test, try both tests and do your research. Take both the SAT and ACT to get a baseline score. ETS recommends taking these when you have completed Algebra 2. For these baseline tests, do not report your scores to schools. Once you have received your scores, convert both to national percentiles so that you can directly compare your performances. Then consider which test you performed better on, which test format you were more comfortable with, and which test you believe you can improve upon the most. You also want to research average scores for incoming freshmen at your choice schools so that you can set up your goals. This will help you decide which of the two tests may be better suited for you, and then you can focus your preparation and study for that particular test.
Start the process of preparing for your chosen test at least 2 months before you take the test. Preparing for the test will involve covering both content and test-specific strategies. Students should review math formulas and learn the most efficient way to read and analyze passages. Working through practice problems is a good idea, and you should try timing yourself with practice tests to improve pacing along with accuracy.
Both the SAT and ACT are scheduled on Saturday mornings and take slightly less than 4 hours to complete. ACT registration can be found at act.org and SAT registration can be found at collegeboard.org. ETS is now accepting students for preparation for the February ACT and the March SAT. Contact Marlana at marlana.james@educationandtestingsolutions.com for more information for our Summerville office and JoAnn at joann.thomas@educationandtestingsolutions.com for our Mount Pleasant office.