b'27STANDARDIzED TESTS: ThE SAT AND ACTMany colleges require you to submit scores from standardized admissions tests. Preparing in advance for these tests can have a big impact on your scores. Remember: test scores are just one part of your application and will be viewed together with your grades and activities. The Tests: Which to Take? aPPLYIngtOCOLLegeThe ACT and SAT are both timed tests which measure students academic readiness for college. The tests are similar and both tests are accepted at all four-year colleges in the U.S.Most students take the SAT or ACT (or both) during their junior and/or senior years of high school. Many takethem multiple times to try to improve their scores. It is wise to take them at least twice. Your English or mathteacher, or your school counselor, can help you decide which test is a better fit for your learning style. You also cantry sample questions from each to determine the test with which you are most comfortable. For free practice SAT tests, visit www.khanacademy.org/sat. For free practice ACT tests, visit www.act.org and select Test Prep.CoMPARING ThE SAT AND ACTsat aCtThree required sections: Four required sections:reading englishFormat Writing & Language MathematicsMath readingthe essay is optional. scienceCheck out sample writing prompts at: a writing section is optional.www.collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/ to check out sample writing prompts, visitsample-questions. www.act.organd search sample essays.A perfect score is 1600. A perfect score is 36.scores range from 400 to 1600 on the requiredscores range from 1 to 36, which is the Scoring sections and are the total of points scored on: average of the four required sections. evidence-Based reading and Writing (200-800) the average score that colleges use is calledMath (200-800) a Composite score.the optional essay is scored separately. the optional writing section is scored Learn more about sat scoring: www.college separately.readiness.collegeboard.org/sat/scores. to learn more about aCt scoring, visitwww.act.organd click on Your scores.length Three hours, plus an additional 50 minutesTwo hours and 55 minutes, plus an for the essay. additional 40 minutes for the writing section.'