More Than Just a Number
Standardized tests are the best predictor of a college student’s first-year success, retention, and graduation.
The SAT
Created by the College Board, the SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. As of March 2016, there are two SAT sections: Math, Evidence-Based Reading, and Writing, plus an optional Essay. The Essay results are reported separately. Start to finish, the test will take you three hours and 50 minutes.
Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale, making the “perfect” score 1600. Learn more about your SAT Score Report here.
Please visit the SAT website for more details.
The ACT
Created by ACT Inc., the ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The ACT has four sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science, as well as an optional 40-minute writing test. Some schools may require the writing test, so be sure to research this information prior to registration.
Students earn one ACT score (1 to 36) on each test (English, Math, Reading and Science) and a composite ACT score, which is an average of these four tests. Usually, when people ask about an ACT score, they’re referring to the composite ACT score. The composite score falls between 1 and 36. The national average is about 21. If, for example, you scored 31 on the English, 30 on the Math, 29 on the Reading and 30 on the Science, your composite ACT score would be 30.
Learn more about what’s on the ACT here.
In 2021, the ACT plans to introduce two new options–remote testing and section retesting–to provide more opportunities for students to demonstrate your academic achievement.
Please visit the ACT website for more details.
Please talk to your high school counselor for assistance with registration for the SAT and ACT exams.