What is the difference between SAT and ACT?

SAT Consists of three sections: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. Each section is worth 800 points, so entire test is out of 2,400 possible total points. A correct answer is worth 1 point, an incorrect answer is -.25 point, and an omitted answer (unanswered question) is worth 0 points. ACT Consists of following sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Students also can opt to take ACT Plus Writing which combines English and Writing score. (About 40% of colleges recommend or require that students include optional Writing test when taking ACT.) Each section is scored on scale of 1-36. Students receive overall Composite Score, also scored on scale of 1-36. No penalty for wrong answer. Math Section tests material through trigonometry (SAT Math Section tests material through geometry and algebra II).

Which test should my child take?

In this region of the country, the SAT remains the more popular test. However, nearly all colleges will accept the ACT in place of the SAT. The most common route for Sherwood students has been to take SAT and then take either the SAT a second time or the ACT. For the Class of 2007, 418 students took the SAT and 94 took the ACT. Of those 94 students, seven took only the ACT and not the SAT. The Class of 2008 is on pace to take a higher number of ACT tests than the Class of 2007.