In the midst of high school, students determine their talents, excel in their interests, and define who they are; they are confronted with questions as to what they want to major in, where they want to go, what they want to be. Getting to that point of self-definition though usually includes the enrollment of college, and wearing the school attire is not attainable without SAT and/or ACT scores.

“The 21st century global economy is fast-paced and changeable. You’ll need a new set of skills – and a habit of lifelong learning – to flourish in this information age. The best way to succeed and thrive as an adult is to challenge yourself to rise to a high level of academic excellence now. You’ll do that best by taking challenging high school courses and working hard in them,” so claims the collegeboard website.

Colleges want to know that their students will thrive and flourish in their university atmosphere. They want the student to benefit the school as much as they provide to the student. University admissions determine an applicant’s potential based on a standardized test.

“Colleges and universities are now saying you can use one or the other; they will look at both. In order to do that they have to have some sort of comparative standard, that they can say these scores are comparatively higher,” shares College and Career Center counselor William Travers.

Tests are taken on Saturday mornings, and can be taken more than once. Most guidance counselors and college admissions would recommend taking both at least once. The ACT is an achievement test measuring what the student learns at school, while the SAT is an aptitude test testing the students reasoning and verbal abilities. Depending on the student, one test could prove more successful than the other.

“Do I think one test is better than the other? I think it is on the individual case. Is one easier than the other? Absolutely not,” Deems Mr. Travers.

Known and possibly dreaded by all academic scholars, the SAT provided by collegeboard, is the nation’s most universally employed college admission test, taken by 2 million students each year.

“We live in what I call an SAT region, so we have been ingrained because SAT comes out of Princeton, and so forth.” Mr. Travers explains, “When you look at a lot of schools across the country, the SAT is the test of choice. It’s the test of choice by kids, schools, because first off there are more outlets fixed to take the SAT than the ACT.”

Summing up the three components deemed necessary – critical reading, math, and writing – the SAT has a maximum score of 2400. The scoring implicates a unique testing strategy as students earn one point for each correct answer, receive no penalty for a question left blank, and are abducted 0.25 points for each wrong answer; making it an absolute test.

The questions are formulated on the evidence of intensive research in order to ensure the accomplishment of all students, regardless of their educational background. The test is deemed “straight-forward,” and the material is what students have been learning throughout their educational lives.

The indicating factors in which a student should take the SATs, as deemed by The Princeton Review, includes an elevated vocabulary, quick thinkers in logic, and a preference to write about al historic event or a required school novel rather than opinionated issues. With its shorter sections, the test is fitting for test-takers who have a shorter attention span.  Not to mention, if a student scores well on the PSATs than they will generally have similar results on the actual test. More practice is better when it comes to this test.

Generally taken by juniors and seniors, the SAT provides scholarship opportunities based on score results, and high scoring can even allow students to place out of certain college courses through subject testing.

 Subject tests – SAT formatted exams specialized in a certain subject such as French or Chemistry – demonstrate the student’s strong suits.

Registration can be completed at www.collegeboard.org. Registration includes a $50 registration fee, directions to the testing location (which can be taken at North Penn on a designated Saturday morning), and SAT-prep suggestions.

But even though the SAT monopolizes college requirements, the ACT is also accepted as a distinguishing test for admissions.  Some schools even prefer to see the ACT. “The ACT has now changed the game. Number one, it’s a good test. The other thing about the ACT is that it tests more things,” claims of our North Penn college’s expert.

“More and more, a lot of colleges and universities, if we were having this discussion 10 years ago more schools would have just tended to refer to the SAT; Now, they are saying take the SAT or the ACT.” Mr. Travers shares, “One that stands out is Bringham University. Bringinham University states you must take the ACT; they’ve always been strictly an ACT school.”

The ACT differs from the SAT as it includes a science component into its test, and the writing is optional as many schools requiring a written essay do not even acknowledge the writing score.

Students who work quickly and well under pressure, and who are strong in math class (with a basic understanding in trigonometry, logarithms, an imaginary numbers) tend to score higher on the ACT, according to The Princeton Review. These students have a knack for interpreting graphs, and are strong readers; reading a passage creates no problem for them. Generally if A students do poorly on the PSATs, they score higher on the ACT.

From Mr. Travers’ incite: “If you are good in Social Studies and Science, then the ACT is a broader test. Where, you are being judged on the major components of math, critical reading, and writing – that has nothing to do with Social Studies or Science.  Now if someone is thinking about going into a Science related field, the only thing schools look at is those areas, so many people feel it [the SAT] is too restrictive of a test.”

The five components lead to a maximum score of 36. Scores can be viewed and registration (fees differing between $35 to $50) can be done at www.actstudent.org. Students can chose between scores if they take the test multiple times, sending their best scores.