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The College-Going Process

College Entrance Exams

Most colleges require that you complete some type of college entrance exam in order to be admitted. Pre-tests allow you to become familiar with these tests before you have to sit for the real thing. Below are descriptions of some of the tests you may be asked to complete.

Overview

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT), also known as the PSAT/NMSQT® (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a practice version of the SAT exam. You can only take the PSAT once per year in October, and many students take the test in both 10th and 11th grade. The PSAT/NMSQT is now digital! The test is easier to take, shorter, has more time per question, and comes with a built-in calculator. It can also qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program and other scholarships. Content on the PSAT/NMSQT is very similar to the SAT, with Reading and Writing and Math sections. Schools decide who can take it and when. Check with your school counselor to see if the PSAT is offered at your school and what the cost would be (fee waivers might be available). 

The ACT and SAT are college admissions tests. Many colleges and programs use ACT or SAT scores in their admission decisions, although some do not, and some specifically require one test or the other. So check the requirements for the colleges in which you’re interested. Universities also often use your ACT or SAT score in specific subject areas to determine freshman year course placement, particularly for math.

College Admissions Test Comparison

ACT College Admissions Test
SAT College Admissions Test

Score: The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36

Test Sections: ACT consists of five sections: English, Math (with calculator), Reading, and Science (optional)

Reading: The ACT English and Reading sections include mixed-length reading pages with 50 and 36 questions respectively. 

Science: The ACT Science section is now optional. This section tests your critical thinking skills. This part of the test will examine your ability to problem-solve and interpret data rather than retain extensive knowledge about a particular science subject. 

Math: The ACT Math section generally contains proportionally more geometry questions and is more calculation based with very little data analysis. 

Length: The ACT test has also transitioned to a digital format, but students will have a choice; in other words, you could still take it on paper if you wish. Expect to spend 125 minutes testing, or 165 minutes if you choose to take the optional Science section. 

Score: The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600

Test Sections: SAT consists of two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math (with calculator)

Reading: Reading passages on the digital SAT test are a maximum of 150 words, but students have to get through 52 unique topics to complete the Reading and Writing section. 

Science: There is no science test on the SAT.

Math: The SAT Math sections are more reasoning based and contain proportionally fewer geometry questions but proportionally more algebra I and II questions than the ACT Math test. 

Length: The SAT test is now digital. The new digital test is an hour shorter than the previous version. Expect to spend two hours taking the test (134 minutes), with a break in between sections.