(P)SAT & ACT
What is the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT?
The PSAT/NMSQT is a Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The SAT and ACT are both standardized tests to evaluate a student’s reading, writing, and math skills. The SAT has a maximum score of 1600. There are four sections: the Reading Test, Writing and Language Test, Math Test–Calculator portion, and Math Test–No Calculator portion. The maximum scores are 800 for each section, the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section and the Math Section.
What is the ACT?
The ACT is a different standardized test. The maximum score is 36. There are four sections: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Each section is scored out of 36, and your composite score is calculated by taking an average of those four scores. There is more reading required for this test as the science section is mostly reading.
Essay Option
Both the SAT and ACT offer the option of taking a test with an essay section. Some colleges require the essay, but some do not. Research which colleges require the essay section before deciding which test to take. To be on the safe side, you can always take the SAT or ACT with the essay section and send those scores to universities that may not require the essay.
Why are these tests important?
Most colleges require or request these scores because the PSAT, SAT, and ACT are standardized tests that allow universities to better evaluate and interpret your abilities compared to other applicants from other schools.
Who takes the PSAT, SAT, and ACT?
High school sophomores and juniors can take the PSAT. Only juniors are able to qualify for National Merit. The National Merit Scholarship is prestigious and widely recognized. The baseline score changes each year, but is typically in the high 1400s.
Usually during the latter half of the year, juniors begin to take the SAT and ACT. Seniors can take the SAT and ACT early in the year. However, if you would like to take the SAT more than once, it is suggested that you begin taking the SAT before your senior year, either during your junior year and/or over the summer before your senior year.
Tips:
Practice, practice, practice! It is extremely helpful to get a feel for the tests and the kinds of questions asked. Familiarize yourself with the instructions. Check out the resources section below for free practice options!
If you are able to, take both the SAT and ACT. Figure out which test you perform better on. It’s all about personal preference. If reading is your strength, maybe you will like the ACT better and score higher. If your strength is math, maybe you will perform better on the SAT.
While you are practicing, test out different reading strategies to find what works best for you. Some students find it helpful to annotate the reading passages. Some find it beneficial to read the questions before reading the passage.
Memorize important math formulas. The SAT provides basic formulas, but you will waste precious time looking up formulas. The ACT does not provide any formulas. Here is an article for the math formulas you need to know for the SAT, and here is an article for the math formulas you need to know for the ACT.
Memorize grammar rules. Visit here for an article on all of the grammar rules you should know.
As you practice, be sure you understand your mistakes. Why did you make the mistake? Did you run out of time? Did you not know a particular math rule or topic? Do you need to review a certain grammar rule?
Use the process of elimination if you are unsure of the answer. Cross out an answer or answers that you are confident are wrong.
Skip difficult questions! If you find yourself spending too much time, skip it and come back to it. You do not want to waste too much time on a difficult question and possibly miss easy ones!
Resources:
Khan Academy
Sign up for official SAT practice that is completely FREE! A unique practice plan will be formed specifically for you. They offer thousands of practice questions, videos, lessons, and hints, and strategies. Click HERE to learn more and start practicing!
ACT Academy
ACT Academy is a FREE online learning tool and test practice program. Visit HERE to sign up now! For a complete overview of all ACT preparation options, including classes, webinars, books, and guides, visit HERE.
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