2006-08-24 08:57:50 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.
The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Verbal, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test.
The College Board introduced a new version in 2005, with a mandatory writing test. ACT continues to offer its well-established test, plus an optional writing test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the college(s) you're applying to.
The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT is scored based on the number correct with no correction for guessing.
ACT lets the student decide what set of scores they want sent. The College Board's policy is to send all scores.
The ACT has an interest inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options.
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My brother took both tests and preferred the ACT to the SAT. I guess it just depends on the style of testing you prefer and what the school you are applying to accepts. Hope this information helps and you might want to check out this website too:
http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/chapter1section2.html
2006-08-24 09:04:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Some colleges require the ACT and others the SAT. I'm from California and most colleges here require the SAT, but I also applied to a big college in Utah and they wanted only the ACT. Some schools will take either one. I did better on the ACT than SAT even though I studied for the SAT and not the ACT.
2006-08-24 16:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by Scotty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(this is for michigan for sure) You must take the ACT almost no matter what college you go to in your state. If you want to go to a college out of the state, you must take the SATs.
I'm not sure if some states require you to take both. Check with your state's website under education!
2006-08-24 16:00:33 · answer #3 · answered by jessica72487 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The SAT requires you to make up your own math answers. The ACT has 4 answers already given to you.
2006-08-24 16:02:03 · answer #4 · answered by Igloo Man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only real differance is what the college you are applying for. Some colleges want SAT's, some ACT's, and some want both.
2006-08-24 16:02:42 · answer #5 · answered by NNY 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋