Consider the ACT

Q: I’ve spent a lot of time studying for the SAT, so why should I even bother taking the ACT?

A: If you are experiencing trepidation about your SAT scores, taking the ACT may alleviate any concerns. Mary Beth Kravets, college consultant at Deerfield High School (Deerfield, Ill.) and former president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), advises: “Some students find that the SAT requires more reading and more verbal ability. The ACT is curriculum-driven, and some students do better on this type of test. I usually suggest that students try both tests and then select the one that is best.”

College preferences
Most colleges will now accept scores from either the SAT or the ACT. In addition, Kravets adds, “Many colleges will mix and match the verbal and math scores on different SAT tests, and some colleges will mix and match the ACT [scores].”

Laura Johnson Frey, director of college counseling at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Vt., and former president of the New England chapter of NACAC, concurs. “Colleges are now trying to give the students options; they aren’t locked into just one test,” she says. “The colleges now look at the highest score from the highest test. They want to put the applicant in the best possible light.”

SAT/ACT differences
“The SAT and ACT are really two different types of tests,” explains Frey. “The SAT has a series of math and verbal reasoning tests, and that’s it. So if you are a strong reader or strong math student, then the test is fine. The ACT tests English, math, reading and science and is more reflective of what a high school curriculum looks like. This gives students more options.”

The two tests have structural differences as well. The SAT alternates verbal and math sections, but the student never knows which section will occur first, nor how many reading passages will occur in a verbal section. “The SAT also always has an experimental section that is not counted, but the student never knows which section is not actually part of the scored test.

The ACT, however, does not have an experimental section, and the test always follows the same order: English, math, reading then science reasoning. Some students have a predilection for tests that are predictable. These students may feel more comfortable taking the ACT, and hence, their scores may be higher on the ACT.

About the ACT
The ACT English test challenges your grammar skills by having you examine five written passages. Grammar questions related to the passages are placed right next to the sentence in question, so there is no need to flip pages back and forth.

The math section tests basic arithmetic, geometry and algebra in addition to four trigonometry questions. “These math questions are similar to questions the student would encounter in high school,” comments Frey.

Some students prefer the ACT reading test because it is given in only one section; the four reading passages cover varied areas of interest: prose fiction, social science, humanities and natural science. And unlike the SAT, the ACT offers a science reasoning test with graph and table interpretations.

Each section is scored separately, and the four composite scores are combined for a total score. “Colleges tend to look at the composite scores in addition to the overall score,” comments Frey. “Some students will score high on science if they like science and have done well in it. They can really prove themselves.”

ACT advantages
“A lot of students feel comfortable with the format of the ACT because it is similar to tests they have taken. Students who have worked hard in class and have learned the information will do well on the test,” espouses Kristin Crouse, ACT communications associate.

Unlike the SAT, which reports all SAT I scores to the colleges indicated, the ACT has optional score reporting. “Students can also choose not to report the test scores to the colleges until after they have seen the scores,” adds Crouse.

Future ACT changes
The SAT is undergoing a facelift in 2005. How about the ACT?

“Because the ACT is a subject-based test, it will remain the same,” Crouse responds. “We will be introducing an optional half-hour essay during the 2004-2005 school year. The essay will meet the new admission writing standards that will be required by some schools.”

To reiterate a frequent litany: Always check with the colleges of your choice regarding their specific admission requirements.

Word Challenge
The following bold-faced words appear in today’s column. Are you certain of their meanings? Writing the words down will help you remember them.
alleviate           
espouses           
predilection
reiterate           
trepidation

Supports or advocates: 
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Fear and apprehension:
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Natural preference for something:
— — — — — — — — — — — —           

To lessen:

— — — — — — — — —

Repeat:
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