Should My Child Take the ACT or SAT? | Nurturing Wisdom Tutoring (2024)

Format-Digital and adaptive (students take the test on a computer, and the test itself will vary from student to student based on how they perform on the first module)

-Paper and pencil will be available only for students with an approved accommodation

-Paper and pencil

-Online (the test will not be adaptive, and the paper and pencil test will remain an option)

-Paper and pencil

-Online (the test will not be adaptive, and the paper and pencil test will remain an option)

Timing-2 hours and 14 minutes for 98 questions-2 hours and 55 minutes for 215 questions-2 hours and 5 minutes for 131 questions (anticipated); add time and questions for optional sectionsSubjects –Reading & Writing: two modules, each 32 minutes for 27 questions

–Math: two modules, each 35 minutes for 22 questions

–English: 45 minutes for 75 questions

–Math: 60 minutes for 60 questions – each question has 5 answer choices

–Reading: 35 minutes for 40 questions

Breaks11Score Range400-16001-361-36CalculatorAllowed on entire math testAllowed on entire math testAllowed on entire math testYou might prefer this test if…-You like taking tests on the computer.

-You enjoy the challenge of an adaptive test.

-You want a faster-paced, shorter test with less emphasis on the reading format found on traditional standardized tests.

-You do better on straightforward, traditional standardized tests.

-Adaptive tests make you anxious.

-You’re stronger in verbal areas (i.e. language arts, grammar, reading comprehension, and reasoning) than mathematics.

-You do better on straightforward, traditional standardized tests.

-Adaptive tests make you anxious.

-You’re stronger in verbal areas (i.e. language arts, grammar, reading comprehension, and reasoning) than mathematics.

You might find this test to be challenging because…-Since the test is adaptive, you need to correctly answer the harder questions in the first module in order to get harder questions in the second module. Accurately answering the more difficult questions is how you get a higher score.

-Doing well requires sharp critical thinking and reasoning skills.

-There are unusual question types you may be unfamiliar with.

-The math questions are complex; they might be phrased in a challenging way and/or require multiple steps to figure out.

-The timing is tighter than on the SAT.

-There are long reading passages that require strong comprehension skills and sustained attention.

-The math section includes various types of math like algebra, geometry, and trig.

-The science section can be intimidating.

-The timing is tighter than on the SAT.

-The math section includes various types of math like algebra, geometry