|
ACT – offered 6 times/year |
SAT – offered 7 times/year |
Length |
3 hours, 25 minutes
(including the 30 minute optional Writing Test) |
3 hours, 45 minutes |
Sections |
4 Required – English, Math, Reading, and Science.
Writing optional. |
10 Sections: 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing (including essay), 1 Experimental (unscored) |
Reading (ACT)/ Critical Reading (SAT) |
4 reading comprehension passages,
10 questions per passage |
Mix of reading comprehension and sentence completion questions which require vocabulary expertise |
Science |
Science reasoning - analysis, interpretation, evaluation and problem solving |
Science not included |
Math |
Math accounts for ¼ of overall score. Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry
(4 questions) |
Match accounts for 1/3 of overall score. Arithmetic, algebra, geometry and
algebra II |
Essay |
Last section to do (Optional); 30 minutes. Not included in composite score |
First section to do;
25 minutes. Factored into overall score. |
Scoring |
Total composite score of
1 – 36 (based on average
of
4 tests)
4 scores of 1–36 for each test
Score of 0 – 12 for the optional essay
|
Total score out of 2400
3 scores 200-800 for each section
sub-scores: 20 – 80 for writing multiple choice and
0 – 12 for the essay
|
Wrong Answer Penalty |
No wrong answer penalty |
Yes, ¼ point per wrong answer (except for math student-produced response questions) |
Further Information & Test Dates |
ACT Inc. (319) 337-1000
www.ACT.org
|
Educational Testing Services
www.ets.org
The College Board -
(866) 756-7346
www.collegeboard.com |
