One of the questions, we often get at Academics Plus is: Should my child take the SAT or the ACT?
So over the next few days, we will post some of the most frequently asked ACT vs. SAT questions and list some fundamental differences between these two important exams.
Achievement vs. Aptitude One major difference between the ACT and the SAT is that the ACT is an achievement test and largely measures what a student has learned in school whereas the SAT is more of an aptitude test and measures reasoning and critical thinking skills. So, what does this mean? The ACT is a “curriculum-based” test. The content is based on results from surveys of classroom teachers, reviews of curriculum guides and advice from curriculum specialists and college faculty. Multiple-choice questions are designed to measure a student’s proficiency in English, math, science, and reading. There is also an optional essay to assess writing skills. It is important to know, however, that students taking the ACT must have mastery of higher level mathematics than those taking the SAT. The SAT, on the other hand, is a reasoning test. It tests a student’s ability to conceptualize, analyze and synthesize information. SAT students must be familiar with the math, reading, and writing concepts on the exam, but in addition, must also have strong critical thinking skills. There is a mandatory 25-minute essay on the SAT.
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Posted in ACT, SAT, Test prep
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