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ACT / SAT Reference Sheet
Download Learn More Indiana's ACT / SAT Reference Sheet, which includes a chart that breaks down important differences between the two tests. This reference tool is easy to print and e-mail. Click hereto download. |
Are you a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school? If the answer is yes, then the time has come to take the next crucial steps in planning for college.
Most four-year universities and colleges require a standardized admission test, usually the ACT or SAT.
Indiana’s four-year universities accept test scores from both the ACT and SAT for admission.
Preparing
Be sure to be well prepared for the ACT, SAT and college admission process by taking challenging academic courses in high school. To have the best preparation possible, complete Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, or Core 40 with Technical Honors.
Differences between the ACT and SAT
The ACT measures what a student learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test that examines reasoning and verbal skills.
The ACT has four components (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science) and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has three components: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test.
The ACT has no penalty for guessing. The SAT does take points off for wrong answers.
ACT sends score reports from one test date and lets students select the test date that they want sent. The College Board sends all SAT scores from all test dates.
PLAN and PSAT/NMSQT
The PLAN serves as a great practice test for the ACT.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a practice test for the SAT. Every 10th grade student in an Indiana accredited high school may take the PSAT/NMSQT, so check with your counselor about utilizing this opportunity. The PSAT/NMSQT also is the qualifying test for the National Merit and National Achievement scholarship programs.
Registering
Information on registering is available from ACT and the College Board, which publishes the SAT.
ACT & SAT Comparison
| Area |
ACT |
SAT |
| Average Scores |
Indiana 22.0 / Nation 21.1
The above average is based on possible score of 36 (does not include optional Writing section). Writing scores are reported separately.
Scores reflect August 2008 |
Indiana 1485 / Nation 1511
Math - IN 508 / Nation 515
Reading - IN 496 / Nation 502
Writing - IN 481 / 494
Scores reflect August 2008 |
| Cost of Exam |
$31 or $46 for ACT PLUS Writing |
$45 for all three sections |
| Score Reporting |
Student selects which set of scores to report |
All scores are reported |
| Times offered each year |
Six, generally in September, October, December, February, April, and June |
Seven, generally in October, November, December, January, March, May, and June |
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Schools do not offer testing at each of these times. Please check with your school counselor for local testing dates. |
| Mathematics |
60-question, 60-minute test
Measures mathematical skills most students have learned in courses taken by the end of 11th grade.
Questions come from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Questions are multiple-choice and require knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills. |
70 minutes taken in two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section
Tests math topics such as: numbers and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis.
Questions are multiple-choice and studentproduced responses. Student-produced responses have no answer choices provided. Instead, the answers are fi lled-in on a special grid. Ten questions will be of this type. |
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Both the ACT and SAT allow students to use a four-function, scientifi c, or graphing calculator during the math test, but models with certain features are prohibited. |
| Reading |
40-question, 35-minute test. Questions are multiple-choice.
Measures reading comprehension through several texts and questions that show an understanding of what is directly stated and statements with implied meanings. |
70 minutes taken in two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. The critical reading section includes short reading passages along with the existing long reading passages. Analogies have been eliminated, but sentence-completion questions and passagebased reading questions remain. |
| English |
75-question, 45-minute test. Questions are multiple-choice.
Measures standard written English (punctuation, grammar usage, and sentence structure) and rhetorical skills (strategy, organization, and style). |
The SAT does not have a separate English section, but the multiple-choice questions in the Writing section measure ability to improve sentences and paragraphs as well as fi nd errors (diction, grammar, sentence construction, subjectverb agreement, word usage, and wordiness). |
| Science |
40-question, 35-minute test. Questions are multiple-choice.
Measures skills in the natural sciences: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving. Assumes students have completed a course in biology as well as a course in an Earth science and/or physical science. |
The SAT does not test Science. |
| Writing |
30-minute essay test that measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.
The essay involves responding to a question about a particular issue described in the writing prompt. |
Multiple choice questions (35 minutes) and student-written essay (25 minutes).
The short essay measures ability to: clearly organize, express, develop and support ideas, and use appropriate word choices and sentence structures. |