| You’re preparing your child for college. And | | | | ACT sections. The highest score a student can |
| besides ensuring that their grades are up to par, | | | | earn is 36-- the average of the four total scores. |
| you know they’ll have to tackle that big | | | | The SAT penalizes students ¼ of a point for |
| standardized test—the SAT. Yet, what about | | | | every incorrect answer, which contributes to |
| that other test you’ve heard about called the | | | | reducing a student’s score, while the ACT |
| ACT? Why do some students take that test? | | | | does not penalize for incorrect answers. |
| And should your child take both the ACT and | | | | The SAT and the ACT test Arithmetic, |
| SAT? Do you need an ACT tutor and SAT tutor, | | | | Geometry, Algebra I & II, Vocabulary, |
| either in-home or online tutors? Here’s an | | | | Punctuation, Grammar, Writing Ability, and Reading |
| overview of both tests so that you and your child | | | | Comprehension, but the ACT also tests |
| can make an informed decision. | | | | Trigonometry and Reading Structure and does |
| Many universities use the SAT to help determine | | | | not directly test Vocabulary. The SAT essay is |
| the potential success of a student at their | | | | mandatory; the ACT essay is optional. Many |
| university. Of course, they also review the entire | | | | students find that the ACT closely resembles the |
| application, including transcripts, extracurricular | | | | types of tests that they’re used to taking in |
| activities usually listed on what’s called a | | | | school, although completing the science section |
| “brag sheet,” and teacher | | | | can be difficult. The best strategy for achieving a |
| recommendations. | | | | high SAT or ACT score is to practice, practice, |
| Administered by the College Board, the SAT has | | | | practice, practice, grade each practice test, and |
| three sections: Writing, which includes an essay; | | | | then review each time. An ACT tutor and an |
| Critical Reading, and a Math section. In general, the | | | | SAT tutor, in-home and online tutors, can help |
| test is offered seven times per school year, | | | | your child practice and then review which |
| usually on Saturday mornings for 3 hours and 45 | | | | questions they got wrong, which ones they |
| minutes. You’ll be able to view scores online | | | | skipped, which questions they guessed but got |
| about 10-20 days after the test. | | | | right, and which questions they took a long time |
| Administered by the ACT Corporation, the ACT | | | | to get the right answer. In addition, students |
| contains four sections: English, Math, Reading, and | | | | should take the time to work on increasing their |
| Science. Colleges and universities use the ACT for | | | | vocabulary before the test, especially words |
| the same purpose as the SAT. The ACT is | | | | found on the SAT and the ACT. An ACT tutor |
| usually offered six times per school year, usually | | | | and SAT tutor, including online tutors, should help |
| on Saturday mornings but for 3 hours and 55 | | | | your child through this process until his scores |
| minutes. The optional writing section brings the | | | | dramatically improve! |
| total test time to 4 hours and 25 minutes. | | | | A private ACT tutor or SAT tutor is usually more |
| Although scores are usually available 10-30 days | | | | effective than a prep class, because of the |
| after the test date, writing scores become | | | | individualized help not found in a class and the prep |
| available approximately two weeks later. | | | | class may be conducted by an untrained teacher |
| While the ACT tests achievement, the SAT tests | | | | who has difficulty teaching students of differing |
| aptitude, and basically every university and college | | | | academic abilities. It’s sometimes difficult to |
| accepts both standardized tests. It’s a good | | | | find a qualified, highly experienced SAT tutor or |
| idea for your child to take both tests in order to | | | | ACT tutor in a certain area, but expert SAT and |
| determine which one he or she feels most | | | | ACT online tutors can provide the same results |
| comfortable taking and will excel at! Students can | | | | as if he or she was right there in your home, and |
| receive up to 800 points for each of the three | | | | you can work with the best online tutors to help |
| SAT sections for a total score of 2400. Students | | | | your child get the best score he or she can! |
| can receive up to 36 points for each of the four | | | | |