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SAT
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ACT |
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When is it administered?
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Seven times per year
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Six times per year
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What is the test structure?
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Ten-section exam: Three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing,
and one Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular
section.
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Four-section exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning.
An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly
experimental.
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What is the test content?
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Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II.
Science: none.
Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading
passages, reading comprehension.
Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word
choice |
Math: up to trigonometry.
Science: charts, experiments.
Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science,
Humanities, and Natural Science.
English: stresses grammar |
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Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
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Yes
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No
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How is the test scored?
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200-800 per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest
possible combined score.
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1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible
composite score.
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Are all scores sent to schools?
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Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to specific colleges,
the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken.
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No. There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose
which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see.
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Are there other uses for the exams?
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Scholarship purposes.
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Scholarship purposes. Certain statewide testing programs.
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Best time to register?
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At least six weeks before the test date
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At least four weeks before the test date
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Need more information?
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Educational Testing Service (ETS)
(609) 771-7600
www.ets.org
The College Board
www.collegeboard.com
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ACT, Inc.:
(319) 337-1000
www.ACT.org |
