SAT or ACT: How to Choose
Visit the ACT’s website http://www.actstudent.org to register for the ACT-No Writing or ACT Plus Writing, view testing schedules, find test prep information, etc.
- The RBHS School Code is: 260728. The RBHS Test Center # is: 179400.
ABOUT THE ACT:
The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject areas in: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. You'll 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. The composite score falls between 1 and 36. The national average is about 21.
The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject tests plus a 30-minute Writing Test. Not all colleges require the writing test. You can check http://www.actstudent.org/writing/ to see which colleges require the writing test. If you take the writing test, you will receive a writing test subscore and a combined English/writing score. Your essay will be scored holistically—that is, on the basis of the overall impression created by all the elements of the writing. Two trained readers will score your essay, each giving it a rating from 1 (low) to 6 (high). The sum of those ratings is your Writing subscore, which is reported on a scale of 2 to 12.
ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S and a majority of our Rock Bridge High School students will need to take the ACT. You must register for the ACT test on the website http://www.actstudent.org Parents are not able to complete the registration without the student present. Expect the process to take 30-45 minutes. It includes an interest inventory and payment must be made by credit/debit card.
FAQS For Students Who Have Taken (or will take) the Free ACT Given to Juniors at Rock Bridge:
I have already taken the ACT and, therefore, have a National ACT Account. How do I get my “school” ACT scores in my National Account? Call ACT at 319-337-1270 and ask them to sync your CPS ACT scores to your national account. They will need the ACT ID# from your District ACT score report.
The free ACT at Rock Bridge was the first time I’ve taken the test. How do I sign up to take it again? You will need to visit www.actstudent.org to register for the test. Through the registration process, you will create a National ACT Account and register to take the ACT on one of the national test dates. Rock Bridge High School is a testing location you can select (except for the July test). The testing dates are listed on the website.
I will be re-taking the ACT and setting up my National ACT account after I get my test scores from the free ACT offered at Rock Bridge. How do I sync them to my new account? When registering for the ACT and setting up your National ACT account, ACT will ask you for your ACT ID #. You can find it at the top of your score report from the test given at Rock Bridge. By entering your ACT ID #, ACT will be able to sync the report with your new account.
SAT:
Visit the College Board website to register for the SAT, view SAT and SAT subject test schedules, find test prep information, etc.
http://sat.collegeboard.org/home
The SAT is a college admissions examination that is focused on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. It measures:
- What you learn in high school
- What you need to succeed in college
If you think the key to a high score is memorizing words and facts you’ll never use in the real world, think again. You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.
The same habits and choices that lead to success in school will help you get ready for the SAT. The best way to prepare for the test is to:
- Take challenging courses.
- Do your homework.
- Prepare for tests and quizzes.
- Ask and answer lots of questions.
In short, take charge of your education and learn as much as you can.
SAT Subject Tests are hour-long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where you excel. SAT Subject Tests allow you to differentiate yourself in the college admission process or send a strong message regarding your readiness to study specific majors or programs in college. There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science.
SHOULD I TAKE THE ACT OR THE SAT?
Most Rock Bridge students take the ACT; however, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take the SAT. It's all about the numbers. Some students end up scoring substantially higher on the SAT; others do better on the ACT.
In lieu of a crystal ball, The Princeton Review Assessment (PRA) designed this questionnaire to help you determine which test is better fit with your abilities: http://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-vs-act-infographic
** For a side by side comparison of the ACT vs. the SAT click HERE