There are 3 tests that are used for college admissions:

1. ACT
2. SAT 1 – Reasoning test
3. SAT 2 – Subject Tests

Each of these tests is different.

ACT ≠ SAT

The ACT is more of an achievement test and more aligned with knowledge gained during the high school years. SAT 1 is more of an intelligence test. As a rule of thumb, I’ve found that my students who are strong readers tend to fare better on the SAT, especially with its vocabulary. Students who do not read as much outside of school tend to do better on the ACT.

The SAT 2 is an hour-long test in a specific subject area. Here are the available subject tests:

• Biology/EM
• Chemistry
• Chinese with Listening
• French
• French with Listening
• German
• German with Listening
• Italian
• Japanese with Listening
• Korean with Listening
• Latin
• Literature
• Math Level 1
• Math Level 2
• Modern Hebrew
• Physics
• Spanish
• Spanish with Listening
• U.S. History
• World History

These tests tend to match with an Honors or Advanced Placement course. For example, if a student is taking AP US History then they may want to consider the SAT Subject Test in American History for college admissions purposes. (Note: The AP tests are typically used for college placement, but not college admissions.) I recommend that students take the corresponding Subject Test at the end of the course, in May or June. For students who are interested in STEM fields, I strongly urge them to consider taking the Math Level 2 Subject Test soon after they complete Pre-Calculus.

Students will typically take the ACT or SAT in junior year. I do not recommend taking these tests in sophomore year and certainly not the senior year.

Testing Game Plan for Best Score

The best game plan for students is

1. Determine which test you will focus on at the end of sophomore year. It is NOT necessary to take both tests. Colleges will accept either test.
2. Take the ACT or SAT for the first time in the winter of junior year. This will give your teen time to get adjusted to a more-demanding junior year schedule and have time to study before taking the test.
3. Leave time in the spring of the junior year to retake the ACT or SAT, if necessary.

Once the testing is completed, more time can be spent on developing a solid college list and writing application essays! What’s your teen’s game plan for acing the ACT or SAT?

Check out our 4 Tips to Help your Teen Study Better!