College Admissions Tests

For students seeking to enter a 4-year college or university (and most 2-year colleges), college admission test scores are required.  Students can choose to take the SAT or the ACT .

The SAT is an aptitude test that measures reasoning and verbal skills.
-    3 components : Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and Writing (required)
-    to register go to http://sat.collegeboard.org/register
-    cost – $49

The ACT is an achievement test that measures content a high school student should have learned.
-    5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional)
-    to register go to http://www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html
-    cost – 49.50 (with writing test)  - $34.00 (without writing test)


Most colleges and universities will accept scores from either test.  Check the admissions section of the college’s website to make sure of the admission test scores they accept. 

Many parents ask which test is best for their student.  The answer is dependent on the learning/testing style of the student.  The SAT may be best for students who are  good at figuring out reasoning questions, while the ACT may be best for students who are black and white-type thinkers.  You and your student should decide which test you think is best for him/her.

If you can afford it, have your high school senior take both tests, so you can submit the best scores to the college.