ACT VS SAT details \doc\web\98\08\actsat2.txt Date sent: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 22:47:06 +0000 To: jimmyk5@swbell.net From: "Donna Garner" (by way of Jimmy Kilpatrick ) Subject: Comparison Between ACT and SAT I have been doing some checking on the ACT and SAT tests and have obtained preparation booklets for both tests. I will share with you some of the information from these booklets. "ACT Assessment -- 1998-99" The ACT is considered to be more curriculum-based. It has no analogies on it and has approximately 1/4 math-related questions. On the ACT it is to a students' advantage to answer every question even if he must guess. On the ACT English Test (timed--45 minutes), punctuation, grammar/usage, and sentence structure are tested. The ACT also tests rhetorical skills such as strategy, organization, and style. "Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of rules of grammar are not tested." Under the Usage/Mechanics section, punctuation is 13%, basic grammar and usage is 16%, sentence structure is 24%, strategy (choosing the appropriate expressions based upon audience and purpose; judging the effect of adding/revising/deleting supporting material; and choosing effective opening, transitional, and closing sentences) is 16%, organization is 15%, and style is 16%. Three scores are reported for the ACT English Test: a total based on all 75 questions, a subscore in Usage/Mechanics (40 questions) and a subscore in Rhetorical Skills (35 questions.) The ACT Mathematics Test (timed--60 minutes) permits students to use calculators. The ACT covers pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry. Four scores are reported on the ACT Mathematics Test: a total score based on all 60 questions, a subscore in Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra (24 questions), a subscore in Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry (18 questions), and a subscore in Plane Geometry/Trigonometry (18 questions.) The ACT Reading Test (timed -- 35 minutes) covers four types of reading selections: social studies, natural sciences, prose fiction, and humanities. A subscore in Social Studies/Sciences is based on questions in social studies and natural sciences sections, and a subscore in Arts/Literature is based on prose fiction and humanities sections. The ACT Reading Test provides scores on all 40 questions, a subscore in Social Studies/Sciences reading skills (20 questions), and a subscore in Arts/Literature reading skills (20 questions). The ACT has a Science Reasoning Test (timed -- 35 minutes) which includes biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space sciences. Of the Science Reasoning Test, data representation is 38%, research summaries is 45%, and conflicting viewpoints is 17%. One score (40 questions) is reported for the ACT Science Reasoning Test. Samples of ACT questions and explanations can be viewed at http://www.act.org. or a person can call 319-337-1270. The name of the booklet I have used in this article is "Preparing for the ACT Assessment" which is published by ACT. "SAT I: Reasoning Test -- 1998-99" The SAT I: Reasoning Test covers verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities and is said to be approximately 1/2 math. Many schools which are out-of-state require students to take the SAT. The SAT Verbal Section tests a student's ability to understand and analyze what he reads, recognize relationships between parts of a sentence, and see relationships between pairs of words. On the SAT I, there are 19 analogy questions, 19 sentence completion questions, and 40 critical reading questions. The SAT Math Section requires students to solve problems involving arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Calculators may be used. Some questions do not include answer choices. The SAT I contains 35 questions which are the standard five-choice multiple choice questions, 15 questions that are four-choice quantitative comparison questions, and 10 questions that are student-produced response questions. The SAT lasts three hours. A student receives two scores -- one for the verbal section and one for the math section. The scores range from 200 to 800 on each of the two sections. So that a student can see how he did on each part of the test, the verbal score is broken down into three types of questions: analogies, sentence completions, and critical reading. The math is broken down into two areas: arithmetic/algebraic reasoning and geometric reasoning. The SAT also has a section which does not count toward a student's score but provides the College Board with a test bank. The SAT questions generally get more difficult as the test progresses; therefore, it is recommended that a student answer the easy questions first. For math questions that are not multiple-choice, a person does not lose any points for a wrong answer. SAT preparation materials can be found at http://www.collegeboard.org or call 1-800-728-7267. The booklet I used in preparing this article is called "Taking the SAT I: Reasoning Test" published by The College Board. I hope this information is helpful. Donna Garner dggarner@swbell.net ============================================= Material forwarded by: Jimmy Kilpatrick http://www.readbygrade3.com http://www.k-12science.org ============================================= For a free daily up-date of education news, research articles and commentaries published in major newspapers, magazines and journals, please forward email address to Jimmy Kilpatrick jimmyk5@swbell.net