• ACT / SAT

    While neither the ACT nor the SAT are required for high school graduation, many students still elect to take one or both of these tests for the following reasons:

    • University Admissions: While many universities are moving towards test-optional admissions, the majority still require either an ACT or SAT score.
    • High School Graduation: ACT and SAT scores can meet the assessment requirements (FSA ELA / BEST ELA and Algebra 1 EOC) by earning a concordant score.
    • Scholarships: Several scholarships require ACT or SAT scores to be submitted, most notably the Bright Futures Scholarship.

What is the ACT Test?

  • The ACT, originally an abbreviation of American College Testing, is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. The ACT test covers four academic skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. It also offers an optional direct writing test. It is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States as well as more than 225 universities outside the US.

     

What is the SAT Test?

  • The SAT is a standardized test widely, originally called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, used for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is wholly owned, developed, and published by the College Board, a private, not-for-profit organization in the United States and administered by the Educational Testing Service. The College Board states that the SAT is intended to measure literacy, numeracy and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. It also assesses how well the test-takers analyze and solve problems and the test is administered under a tight time limit to help produce a range of scores.

What is on the ACT?

  • The ACT contains multiple-choice tests in four areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. ACT's writing test is optional and will not affect your composite score.

    • English
      • 75 questions
      • 45 minutes
      • Measures your ability to make decisions to revise and edit short texts and essays in different genres.
    • Math
      • 60 questions
      • 60 minutes
      • Measures the mathematical skills you have typically acquired in courses up to the beginning of grade 12.
    • Reading
      • 40 questions
      • 35 minutes
      • Measures your ability to read closely, reason logically about texts using evidence, and integrate information from multiple resources.
    • Science
      • 40 questions
      • 35 minutes
      • Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills required in biology, chemistry, Earth/space sciences and physics.
    • Writing (Optional)
      • 1 prompt
      • 40 minutes
      • Measures writing skills taught in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

    The main four ACT test sections are individually scored on a scale of 1–36, and a composite score (the rounded whole number average of the four sections) is provided.

ACT Test Information

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  • 2022-2023 ACT Test Dates

  • ACT Test Locations

  • ACT Registration Fees

  • FREE ACT Test Prep

What is on the SAT?

  • The SAT has two main sections, namely Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW, normally known as the "English" portion of the test) and the Math section. These are both further broken down into four sections: Reading, Writing and Language, Math (no calculator), and Math (calculator allowed).

    • Reading
      • 52 questions
      • 65 minutes
      • The Reading Test presents five reading passages followed by multiple-choice questions about each passage. 
    • Writing & Language
      • 44 questions
      • 35 minutes
      • The Writing and Language test is a multiple-choice test in which you read passages and find and fix mistakes and weaknesses. 
    • Math
      • 58 questions
      • 80 minutes
      • The Math Test is divided into two parts: a no-calculator portion and a calculator portion. In both portions, most of the test is multiple choice, but some of the questions at the end ask you to write the answer (these are called “grid-ins”). Everyday formulas are provided for you to use. 

    Two section scores result from taking the SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. Section scores are reported on a scale of 200 to 800, and each section score is a multiple of ten. A total score for the SAT is calculated by adding the two section scores, resulting in total scores that range from 400 to 1600.

     

     

     

SAT Test Information

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  • 2022-2023 SAT Test Dates

  • SAT Test Locations

  • SAT Registration Fees

  • FREE SAT Test Prep

Fee Waivers

  • ACT and SAT fee waivers are available to low-income 11th and 12th grade students in the US or US territories. US citizens living outside the country might also be eligible for fee waivers.

    You are eligible if one or more of these descriptions apply to you:

    • You are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
    • Your family's annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. 
    • You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families, for example, TRIO programs like Upward Bound.
    • Your family receives public assistance.
    • You are homeless or live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home.
    • You are a ward of the state or an orphan.

    If you qualify for a fee waiver, see your NHS Guidance Counselor to receive a waiver code.