Should you take the ACT or SAT Test? | Tulsa Tutoring
By Dominick Cooper, Founder of Launch Academy Tulsa Tutoring Company, 2011 Winner of the DaVinci Scholar Award, 2013 Nominee for Tulsa’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and University Guest Speaker on Education and Curriculum
When it comes to college, the SAT and ACT are key part in whether or not you are admitted. In addition, they also play a huge role in how much scholarship money you get (gotta get that money!).
So, obviously, you want to put your best foot forward! But which test is easier?
Well, it actually depends. Go through the descriptions below and see which one might be right for you!
THE SAT TEST
The 2005 SAT (the latest revision), is 3 hours and 45 minutes long and costs $52.50 (as of last year), excluding late fees. On the SAT, there are only 3 types of sections – Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing.
The SAT is not aligned to high school curriculum, so that means the subject matter doesn’t necessarily line up with what your school may have taught (only an issue if you live outside the USA). The SAT is preferred for East Coast and West Coast colleges, generally speaking. As a rule of thumb, if you’re a strong reader/writer, the SAT is a better test for you. Below you’ll see a graph of the average SAT scores in the United States.
Tulsa Tutoring SAT Score Distribution
THE ACT TEST
The ACT, while much newer than the SAT, is also heavily used in college admissions and most colleges will now take it as an alternative to the SAT. The ACT has 4 sections – Math, English, Reading, Science – and also an optional Writing portion. This year, some high schools are offering the ACT as an online test – the first standardized college admissions test to be offered online.
The ACT is aligned to high school curriculum so, if you do well in the school, the ACT may be the test for you. Because it is aligned to high school curriculum, the test questions are much more “textbook” like. If you are strong academic and Math and Science don’t scare you, this could be the best test. Below is a graph of the average ACT scores in the United States.
Tulsa Tutoring ACT Score Distribution
What’s the best way to know which one to take? Take them both! Each Saturday, Launch Academy Tutoring Company offers a free ACT or SAT test for students to take from 9am to 12:30pm. The only thing you have to do is call us to set up an appointment. That’s it!
Contact us today to find which test, the ACT or SAT, is best for you!
