Test Information
SAT/ACT
Both the SAT and ACT are offered seven times during the academic year. For more information on these tests, visit http://sat.collegeboard.com or http://www.act.org.
SAT
The SAT lasts three hours and fifteen minutes, including the two breaks. There are four sections:
Reading Section
The reading section consists of passages that test critical reading skills.
All Reading Test questions are multiple choice and based on passages.
Some passages are paired with other passages.
Informational graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts, accompany some passages. No math is required.
Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested.
The Reading Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
Writing and Language Section
The writing and language section includes multiple-choice questions that test English grammar and usage.
All questions are multiple choice and based on passages.
Some passages are accompanied by informational graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts. No math is required.
Prior topic knowledge is never tested.
The Writing and Language Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
Math Section
The College Board sorts the math question types into three main categories: Heart of Algebra, Passport to Advanced Math, and Problem Solving and Data Analysis.
Most math questions will be multiple choice, but some—called grid-ins—ask you to come up with the answer rather than select the answer.
The Math Test is divided into two portions: Math Test–Calculator and Math Test–No Calculator.
Some parts of the test include several questions about a single scenario.
The College Board has announced that the SAT will be transitioning into a digital format by 2024. The SAT will continue to offer the paper format through 2023 and into the start of 2024. Starting in the spring of 2024, the SAT will only be offered in the digital format.
To learn more about the new digital SAT, click here.
ACT
The ACT last three hours and fifty-five minutes, including the optional essay (40 minutes). There are four sections plus the optional essay:
English Section
The English section tests English grammar and usage.
Math Section
The math section covers pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, trigonometry, statistics and probability, and precalculus.
Reading Section
The reading section consists of four passages that test critical reading skills. Some passages are paired with other passages.
Science Section
The science section consists of six passages. This section focuses primarily on graph and chart analysis, with very few questions that test scientific knowledge.
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is taken by high school sophomores and juniors in the month of October. The PSAT provides valuable practice for the SAT, since the same academic concepts are tested. The PSAT lasts two hours and forty-five minutes.
The PSAT selection index score determines who will qualify for a National Merit Scholarship. For more information, go to www.nationalmerit.org.
The College Board has announced that the PSAT will be transitioning into a digital format by 2023. The PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9 are being offered digitally in fall 2023 so that students who will be taking the SAT as juniors in the spring of 2024 have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the digital testing experience before taking the digital SAT.
To learn more about the new digital PSAT, click here.
Contact us at 510-499-2283 or james@jamesenotutorials.comwith any questions about the tests.