SAT Format

[CScull]

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Hey, for all of you who've already taken the SAT, what's the format like? I've heard it was kinda insane from a friend of mine, and that it's longer than the ACT... can anyone tell me how the two compare? Or how the SAT compares to the PSAT (aside from that it's harder, duh. lol).

 

[apgar]

From the College Board website:

The SAT is comprised of 10 total testing sections. The first section is always a 25-minute essay, and the last section is always a 10-minute multiple-choice writing section. Sections two through seven are 25-minute sections. Sections eight and nine are 20-minute sections. Test-takers sitting next to each other in the same session may have test books with entirely different content orders for sections two through nine (mathematics, critical reading, and writing).

The ACT is only slightly longer than the SAT (if I remember correctly). Instead of having multiple math, reading, english sections though, the ACT has everything lumped together: one math section, one reading section, etc. The PSAT is just a shorter SAT (with slightly easier questions but much more unforgiving curve).

 

[CScull]

Thanks, I'm slightly worried (probably the more correct word would be annoyed) about the SAT, but I'm in the south, and colleges here tend to focus on the ACT.

 

[EyEnStein 07]

My suggestion is you take both. Study for the ACT more as it is more popular in your state. However you would truly be surprised at the results some people get. If you take both, your SAT score might end up being higher than ACT, which is ultimately the one you want to submit. (make sure you take ACT with writing though)

 

[CScull]

My suggestion is you take both. Study for the ACT more as it is more popular in your state. However you would truly be surprised at the results some people get. If you take both, your SAT score might end up being higher than ACT, which is ultimately the one you want to submit. (make sure you take ACT with writing though)

I have... I'm at a 25 right now which is 4 points better than I did originally taking it cold. I really want a 28-30, and I have a year and a half to get there so if I'm focused enough I think I can get it up there. I did take the writing both times and it didn't change my score at all this time. I'll probably end up submitting both either way...

 

[creativedentist]

From my experience, the SAT was easier for me than the ACT (I kept running out of time while taking the ACT). You can get practice tests that have the same format; they really help.