Which test should you take?
D’Evelyn counselors strive to help our students in the college application process, and standardized tests play a major factor in the final decision.
One of the most commonly asked questions among students every year is whether to take the SAT or the ACT. The answer is that there is no right or wrong answer. Colleges will accept either test. Some research suggests that students take both because if they are successful, they have two great test scores when other students only have one. The state of Colorado has chosen to provide the SAT series for free in April for 9th-, 10th- and 11th-grade students.
Students should meet with college admissions representatives and ask about which test is preferred. Even though the tests have the same effect on admissions, they are designed differently. It is important to study for both exams, and there are many resources for each exam. Talk to your counselor about these resources.
SAT/PSAT
SAT
The state requires all students take the SAT and PSAT test series in April. The state pays for the administration of these tests, and the registration process is completed by our school. There is no extra work for families to sign up or register their students for the test date in April. Juniors are registered to take the SAT, sophomores are registered for the PSAT 10, and freshmen are registered for the PSAT 8/9. If students would like to take the SAT outside of the April date, registration and payment will have to be completed on their own.
The PSAT test is not offered outside of the April test date and they are not counted in the college admissions process.
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT/NMSQT is the preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which D'Evelyn provides for all juniors in October. Scores from this test are used to identify National Merit Scholars and award merit scholarships. This test will not count toward college admission applications.
ACT
ACT
Neither the state nor D'Evelyn provides the ACT for free for students. However, the test is offered almost every month of the year for students to take at specific locations around the state. The ACT has a writing section; students who choose to participate in the ACT Writing option will need to sign up during registration. The ACT-Writing requires students to answer one prompt in 40 minutes in an essay format.
– Information provided by The Princeton Review
Test comparison
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SAT
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ACT
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Timing
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More time per question than the ACT
65 minutes/52 questions- Reading
35 minutes/44 questions - Writing and Language
25 minutes/20 questions - Math (no calculator)
55 minutes/38 questions - Math (with calculator)
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Reading and science questions are difficult to complete for many students
45 minutes/75 questions - English
60 minutes/60 questions - Math
35 minutes/40 questions - Reading
35 minutes/40 questions - Science
40 minutes/1 question - Writing (optional)
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Math
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Fewer topics
Heavy focus on algebra/algebra 2
Great attention to data analysis
One of the two sections does not allow students to use calculators
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Many more topics across geometry/algebra/algebra 2
Most exams feature a few very obscure topics (e.g., matrices, vectors, asymptotes)
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Science
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Not tested, although the topics of some reading and writing and language passages are scientific.
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The last section of the exam tests scientific thinking, rather than science content. Many students find this the most challenging section of the exam.
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On the day of the test
What to bring
- Photo identification (valid driver’s license or school IDs are acceptable)
- Two no. 2 pencils (no mechanical pencils)
- An approved calculator
What not to bring
- Reading materials, electronic devices, pens or highlighters, scratch paper, food or beverages other than water are not allowed.
Test prep resources
- The Princeton Review – Online courses, classroom courses, cram course and private tutoring for SAT and ACT
- Method Test Prep – Online test prep for SAT and ACT
- ACT Academy – Free ACT test prep and a great resource for ACT test-takers
- Remote Tutors – Online tutoring for both tests on their YouTube page
