FAQs About the ACT, SAT, and PSAT
ACT, SAT, or PSAT?
Q. Which test should I take: the ACT or the SAT?
Q. What are the main differences between the ACT and SAT?
Q. What is the best way to prepare for the ACT or SAT?
The ACT
Q. When should I take the ACT?
Q. When is the ACT test given, and how do I register?
Q. What subjects are featured on the ACT?
Q. Should I take the ACT writing (essay) test?
Q. Can I take the ACT more than once? Is it a good idea?
The PSAT and SAT
Q. What's the purpose of the PSAT?
Q. Should I take both the PSAT and the SAT?
Q. When should I take the PSAT?
Q. How do I register for the PSAT?
Q. What subjects are tested on the PSAT?
Q. Do I have to take the SAT as well as the PSAT for the National Merit Scholarship competition?
Q. Should I take the PSAT even if I'm not likely to win a National Merit Scholarship?
Q. What's the difference between the format of the PSAT and the SAT?
Q. When should I take the SAT?
Q. What subjects are featured on the SAT?
Q. Can I take the SAT more than once? Is it a good idea?
Q. I have a question that's not listed here. Where can I get an answer?
Back to other frequently asked questions
ACT, SAT, or PSAT?
Q. Which test should I take: the ACT or the SAT?
A. All U.S. colleges and universities that require a test will now accept either the ACT or SAT. (Some schools require neither test.) Which test to take is a decision that depends more on you than on the colleges on your application list.
If you're applying to a highly competitive school, are worried about whether you'll get into your first-choice school, or are applying for scholarships, consider taking both tests and submitting the better score.
A. Both ACT, Inc. and the College Board (publishers of the SAT and PSAT) are planning to change their tests for 2015 and 2016. ACT changes will be relatively minor. Changes to the SAT and PSAT, on the other hand, will be more extensive. The information below is accurate as of the current tests. We'll update it as the tests change.
- ACT tests your achievement, or what you've learned in your classes at school. The College Board says its current test is less about achievement and more about your aptitude for learning, your verbal skills, and your reasoning skills. But achievement is important, too. The College Board's redesigned SAT and PSAT will focus more on skills you learn in high school. In other words, the redesigned tests will be more like the ACT.
- Currently, vocabulary is extremely important on the SAT, and somewhat less so on the ACT. But having an excellent vocabulary will help you do your very best on both tests. In the redesigned SAT and PSAT, you'll be tested on meanings of words you already know. They may be common words, but you'll need to be careful that you're using their correct meanings in context.
- The ACT counts only your correct answers. The current SAT has a guessing "penalty" for wrong answers. The strategies for these two tests are different, but that penalty is going away. The redesigned SAT and PSAT will not have a guessing penalty, which means that, once again, that the SAT and PSAT are moving closer to the ACT.
- The ACT is 20 minutes shorter than the current SAT (3 hours and 45 minutes, including the essay), but it has more questions. The redesigned SAT will be 3 hours long with a 50-minute optional essay.
- The ACT has four long sections, plus an optional essay at the end. The current SAT has nine shorter sections, including a mandatory essay at the beginning of the test. The redesigned PSAT and (presumably, though we haven't seen a sample test yet) the redesigned SAT will have three sections plus an optional essay.
To learn more about the ACT, visit http://www.actstudent.org/. To learn about the redesigned PSAT and SAT, visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-suite-assessments/exam-changes.
Q. What is the best way to prepare for the ACT or SAT?
A. By taking a focused test-preparation seminar or webinar, you learn essential skills, strategies, tips, and techniques that help you do your personal best on the test. When it comes to successful test performance, it's not just about knowing the test material and topics - it's about knowing how to take the test, eliminate incorrect answers, and use the time to your advantage.
In order to experience the full benefit of a seminar or webinar, follow-up study and practice are necessary. Look for study materials that will fit into your busy schedule. Based on our experience with students all across the country, we know that huge prep books are intimidating and tend to gather dust. Instead, committing to short study sessions using practical, student-friendly materials and short practice tests will be more beneficial.
Taking a full-length, timed practice test is also helpful. Be sure you can view answer explanations afterward so that you can determine whether a correctly answered question was a lucky guess or a wise choice.
Vocabulary study is also important if you do not already have a college-level vocabulary. This is especially important on the SAT and PSAT, but shouldn't be ignored by anyone.
The ACT
Q. When should I take the ACT?
A. The ACT test is given several times a year nationwide. The questions are written to reflect what all students should have been exposed to academically by spring of their junior year. Many students take the test sooner and repeat it in the spring to try to earn a better score. Seniors may take it again in the fall to boost their score before turning in their college applications.
Here’s what ACT says:
“Pick a test date that is at least two months ahead of the application deadlines of all the colleges and scholarship agencies you might want to apply to. Scores for the ACT (No Writing) are normally reported within 3–8 weeks after the test date. If you take the ACT Plus Writing, scores will be reported only after all of your scores are available, including Writing, normally within 5–8 weeks after the test date.”
Q. When is the ACT given, and how do I register?
A. For a list of scheduled dates, or to register for the ACT, visit www.act.org.
You may also want to check with your guidance/counseling department in your school district to find out when they recommend you take the tests.
On the ACT, you will take four subtests in the following subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Science
The ACT Writing Test (essay) is an optional addition.
Q. Should I take the ACT writing (essay) test?
A.
The ACT can be taken multiple times. The decision is ultimately about a balance between time, money, and whatever pressure you feel to get a higher score.
If it’s offered at your school, the Aspire test is good practice test for the ACT. If you are not happy with your scores, then consider a prep class before taking the test again.
The PSAT and SAT
Q. What's the purpose of the PSAT?
A. The PSAT is the first step in qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship Program. In fact, it's officially called the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NSMQT) by the National Merit® Scholarship Corporation.
If you want to be considered for the National Merit Scholarship program, then the PSAT is essential. Even if you don't think you'll score well enough for National Merit recognition, the PSAT is good practice for the SAT.
Q. Should I take both the PSAT and SAT?
A. There are a couple of reasons you might want to take both the PSAT and the SAT.
If you think you have a good chance of scoring well on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (the PSAT), then you definitely need to take the PSAT. If you actually score high and are a finalist, you’ll need to follow up with an equally great SAT score.
Even if you aren’t likely to get a high enough PSAT score to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, however, it's a great way to practice for the SAT. They’re essentially the same test, with the same level of difficulty, question types, and directions. The two tests do not have the same exact questions.
The major differences between the PSAT and the SAT: The PSAT has fewer questions and takes less time, and only the SAT includes an essay.
Q. When should I take the PSAT?
A. The PSAT is only offered in the fall. For most students, the fall of their junior year is the best time to take the PSAT. But you can take it earlier. Because this exam is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, you will probably do best by waiting as long as possible before taking the test. Your school may decide.
Note in the excerpt below from the National Merit® Scholarship Corporation, you must take the PSAT "no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12":
“To participate in the National Merit® Scholarship Program, a student must take the PSAT/NMSQT® in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern.”
-National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Q. How do I register for the PSAT?
A.
Like the SAT, students taking the PSAT take these three subtests:
- Reading
- Mathematics
- Writing
There is no essay on the PSAT.
Q. Do I have to take the SAT as well as the PSAT for the National Merit Scholarship competition?
A. Yes. A
The major differences between the PSAT and the SAT: The PSAT has fewer questions and takes less time, and only the SAT includes an essay.
Q. When should I take the SAT?
A. According to the College Board:
“Most students take the SAT during their junior or senior year in high school. At least half of all students take the SAT twice — in the spring of their junior year and in the fall of their senior year. Most students also improve their score the second time around.”
Q. What subjects are featured on the SAT?
A. On the SAT, students take three subtests in the following subjects:
- Reading
- Mathematics
- Writing
In addition to the multiple-choice Writing test, the SAT requires a written essay, and it's the first test you take on Saturday morning.
The essay is optional.
Q. Can I take the SAT more than once? Is it a good idea?
A. The SAT can be taken multiple times. Ultimately, it comes down to finding a balance between time, money, and whatever pressure you feel to get a higher score.
If you take the PSAT, that’s good practice for the SAT. You might find that's enough. If you aren't happy with your scores, then consider a prep class before taking the test again.
Q. I have a question that's not listed here. Where can I get an answer?
A. Contact us at answers@doorwaytocollege.com. Or call 877-927-8378 during business hours, from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday. If you're calling after hours, or while we're on other calls, please leave a detailed message, and we'll get back to you no later than the next business day.