Information on the ACT & SAT College Entrance Exams

  • Note: You do not have to take both exams. Most STMA students take the ACT exam as that is what Midwestern schools prefer versus the SAT. It is always a good idea to check with each college you are considering to determine if they prefer the ACT or SAT.

SAT Frequently Asked Questions

  • When is it administered?
    Seven times per year

    What is the test structure?
    Ten-section exam: Three Critical Reading, Three Writing, Three Math, and One Experimental.  The Experimental Section is masked to look like a regular section.

    What is the test content?
    Math: Up to 9th-grade basic Geometry and Algebra II
    Science: none
    Reading: Sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension
    Writing: an essay and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice.

    Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
    Yes

    How is the test scored?
    200-800 per section, Added together for a combined score.  2400 is the highest possible combined score.

    Are all scores sent to schools?
    Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken.

    Are there other uses for the exams?
    Scholarship purposes.

    Best time to register?
    At least six weeks before the test date.

    Need more information?
    Educational Testing Service (ETS)
    (609) 771-7600
    www.ets.org
    The College Board
    www.collegeboard.org

ACT Frequently Asked Questions

  • When is it administered?
    Six times per year

    What is the test structure?
    Four section exam:  English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning.  An Experimental section is added to test on certain dates only and is clearly experimental.

    What is the test content?
    Math: Up to trigonometry
    Science: Charts and experiments
    Reading: Four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science
    English: Stresses grammar

    Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
    No

    How is the test scored?
    1-36 for each subject averaged for a composite score.  36 is the highest possible composite score.

    Are all scores sent to schools?
    No.  THere is a "Score Choice" option.  Students can choose which colleges will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see.

    Are there other uses for the exams?
    Scholarship purposes.  Certain statewide testing programs.

    Best time to register?
    At least four weeks before the test date.

    Need more information?
    ACT, Inc.
    (319) 337-1000
    www.act.org