What About the ACT?
Why should anyone who plans to apply to competitive colleges who has not aced both the SAT and SAT subject tests also plan to sit for the ACT? Should test takers prep for the ACT?
First, anything you’ve read or heard about the SAT testing “aptitude” and the ACT testing “curricular learning” is not noticeably true to those of us who actually work with these tests on a daily basis.
Second, most colleges eagerly use the highest scores (SAT or ACT) to evaluatean applicant’s transcript because once the year’s admissions process is over each college submits its admitted students’ testing numbers to U.S. News & World Report, which then crunches those numbers (including SAT or ACT scores) to produce its list of “Best Colleges and Universities.”
Thirty years ago the ACT was the required standardized test only for those applying to colleges in the western half of the country. When I applied to college in 1966, I needed SAT scores to complete applications to Notre Dame and MIT and ACT scores to complete the application to Arizona State. Today, nearly all competitive colleges that require standardized test scores will accept ACT scores in lieu of not only SAT but also SAT subject test scores. So, if you’re concerned about the subject tests, this might be an alternate solution.
Next, how do you go about signing up for the ACT and then making sure you’re ready to take the test? In 2010, the ACT will be given in Maine on April 10, June 12, and October 23. Here is a search page that will help you find a local test site, and here is the link to our 12-hour course to prepare for the April 10 ACT.
The ACT web site contains the following prep materials: (1) a full-length practice ACT (why guess what’s on the ACT?); (2) other prep materials such as practice questions from each of the four ACT sections; (3) sample essay practice questions; and (4) information about which calculators are and are not permitted (if you use a TI-89, you will want to review these rules).
In addition, the ACT publishes a book that contains three real ACT tests.
For students who are committed to doing their best on the ACT, Maine Prep offers private tutoring in addition to its upcoming course. Give us a no obligation call if you’d like to discuss.