Guide to the ACT and SAT part I - Introduction

Are you struggling with preparing for the ACT or SAT? If you’re coming to this blog post, chances are that you are. But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place--having scored a 36 on the ACT and a 1600 on the SAT, I’d consider myself to be pretty good at taking these tests, and I have plenty of tips for people hoping to score well. Over the course of the next few weeks, I’ll be posting a series of posts providing you with tips on each section of the ACT and SAT!

What are the ACT and SAT?

If you’re new to taking these challenging tests, you probably want to know what exactly these tests are and what they are used for. To put it simply, the ACT and SAT are two different standardized tests that colleges often use to gauge the level of applying students. Not only do they allow students to show off their academic abilities to colleges through a standardized system, but they also can be used to apply for scholarships. 

They are often portrayed as an incredibly important part of a student’s college application, but don’t stress too much--most colleges use a holistic admissions approach and will analyze your application as a whole. They don’t focus only on your SAT and ACT scores and will also look at your GPA, extracurriculars, essays, etc.

How have the ACT and SAT been impacted by COVID-19?

As you may have seen or experienced, many testing locations have canceled or delayed their tests. This may seem pretty intimidating for upcoming test-takers, but don’t worry. For the 2020-2021 application cycle, most schools, even prestigious schools such as Yale and Harvard, have adopted a ‘test-optional policy’. This means that test scores are no longer required, but they will be considered if submitted. 

This may change given the situation for next year’s application cycle, but know that colleges are aware of the problems that many students face in taking the SAT and ACT. In the worst case scenario, you may still be able to take the tests as some locations are beginning to administer tests again.

How are the SAT and ACT different?

The ACT and SAT do have a lot of overlap, but they have many similarities as well. Note that due to the overlap, by studying for one test, you are also, in a way, preparing yourself for the other test as well!

Similarities

• Both the SAT and ACT have a reading, math, English, and optional writing section

• Both are accepted by most colleges around the country 

• Both tests take around 3-4 hours to complete 

Differences 

• The ACT has a science section while the SAT does not 

• The ACT is scored out of 36 while the SAT is scored out of 1600

• The SAT math section is divided into a calculator and a non-calculator section

• The SAT is administered by the College Board while the ACT is not

• Despite having similar sections, the types of questions are quite different 

Overall, although some people may say one test is harder than the other, it really comes down to preference. In my opinion, I would say that the SAT is harder. The reading section requires more critical thinking, and there is less margin for error overall, especially in the math section. However, again, it is a matter of preference, so don’t be intimidated by what others say! 

How can you prepare?

Many times when I tutor students for the ACT and SAT, they will ask me what resources I used to prepare for my tests. 

The first thing I always recommend is to use the website CrackACT or CrackSAT. These websites are incredibly helpful as they contain hundreds of practice samples for every section of their given test. They are bubble-in on your iPad or laptop, and they can even be done in the comfort of your bed! (Note that taking digital tests does NOT replicate real testing situations so you definitely want to use physical resources and official practices tests as well). When using CrackACT or CrackSAT, make sure to time yourself for each passage! For example, each English passage should be timed for nine minutes. 

(I will say that CrackACT’s science samples are kind of subpar, however, so if you’re looking for help on science, look in the paragraphs below.)

As for physical books, I don’t really have any recommendations--I mainly just went to the library and checked out any books that were available. However, since this may be difficult given the pandemic situation, you may have to purchase some books online. Official test resources are your best bet, as they come directly from the test makers, but Princeton Review, Barrons, Kaplan, are also typical go-to brands. Make sure to check the reviews before purchasing. 

Closing words

All in all, the SAT and ACT are certainly challenging tests, but with preparation and dedication, you can definitely achieve the score you want. In the next post, I’ll be going over tips to succeed in the English sections of both the ACT and SAT, so stay tuned!

Shawn Meng is a Senior at Wayzata High School and a Standardized Testing and Science tutor for Minneapolis Student Tutoring. He has scored well on the SAT and ACT and is also a National Merit Semi-finalist. He participates in and captains Wayzata Science Olympiad and was a member of last year’s state winning team. In his free time, he likes to play soccer, draw, and play guitar.