SAT

What is a good SAT score differs for students, as this depends on the universities they are targeting. Many universities publish the SAT scores of students they have admitted each year on their website, often in the form of a “mid-50% score range.” This means most students (50%) scored within this published range of scores.

For Princeton University, the mid-50% ranges are 740-800 for Math, 710-800 for Evidenced-based Reading and Writing, 32-36 for ACT Composite Score. For MIT, the mid-50% ranges are 790-800 for Math, 730-780 for Evidenced-based Reading and Writing, 35-36 for ACT Composite Score. For Stanford University, the mid-50% ranges are 720-800 for Math, 700-770 for Evidenced-based Reading and Writing, 31-35 for ACT Composite Score. For Columbia University, the mid-50% ranges are 1500-1560 for SAT score, 34-35 for ACT Composite Score.

As with most standardised tests, mastering the test taking strategy and scoring tactics are as important as knowing the subject topics. Take note of the following keys to getting top scores:

Under the pandemic, U.S. universities have flocked to join the test-optional admissions bandwagon. To date, 1380+ 4-year universities and colleges have made the SAT/ACT optional for admissions. While some universities are more thoroughgoing, like the University of California (The UC system has announced they are phasing out SAT/ACT in the next 5 years whether or not they will be able to replace it with a test of their own design), the majority of universities have emphasized their policies: test optional, or test flexible, or test free. These universities include, but are not limited to, Ivy League, Stanford University, MIT, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Duke University, University of California (UC), and University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Do note that these policies are only temporary.

So why are U.S. colleges so reluctant to write off SAT? First, abundant anecdotal evidence from highly selective schools says that students who can’t score above 550 on both sections of the SAT can’t keep up academically regardless of the assistance they’re given. Second, SAT scores supplement GPAs to give a better picture of a student’s ability and potential: All the differences in grading policy, access to AP classes etc. are hard to make sense of without the results of a standardized test that is comparable for all students. Besides, finances also make a compelling argument as some scholarships require an SAT/ACT score. The SAT is simply seen as a reliable indicator as it correlates with data from graduation rates, college GPA, and overall student success.

All told, it does appear that SAT is here to stay. Current juniors and future classes will likely have to check with each university to find out their policy for that year.

A word of advice: make yourself stand out. When other applicants become relaxed about taking the SAT, your high scores are illustrations to universities about: eagerness, determination, a whatever-it-takes attitude, and a multi-benchmark proven academic CV.

SAT and ACT are two common exams for admission to US universities. While the gap between the two tests has significantly narrowed owing to SAT reform, there are still key differentiations that you must consider before finding out which is more favourable to you. Here is a comparison at a glance.

Grammar Difficulty

• SAT questions increase in difficulty level.
• ACT places more emphasis on nuanced grammar usage such as punctuation and rhetoric skills.

Vocabulary Emphasis

• SAT no longer tests on pure vocabulary, so students don’t have to study specific lists of difficult words. However, there are still vocabulary-in-context questions.
• ACT focusses more on writing and word usage skills than pure vocabulary knowledge.

Reading Questions

• SAT has five passages in the Reading section – four single passages and one pair of comparative passages. They include: one American or world literature, one US founding document or a text of global significance, one social science, and two science passages. Typically questions are analytical, and evidence- and context-based.
• ACT has four reading passages: prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science.

Daily Application and Question Type in Math Section

• SAT incorporates some of the advanced concepts formerly only in ACT, stressing more on real-world applications and problem solving than on logical reasoning.
• ACT presents slightly more rigorous problems, demanding competency in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. It has more straight-forward textbook-type questions that can be drilled for speed and accuracy. All questions are in multiple-choice format.

ACT Science Section

The ACT Science section has little to do with scientific knowledge. It assesses the student’s reasoning and critical thinking skills based on data analysis, interpretation, and deductive reasoning. The student is required to observe relationships between experimental data, extract and extrapolate information, and derive logical conclusions from tables, graphs, and schematics.

Time Management

• SAT contains far fewer problems per allocated time: 48 seconds per Writing & Language problem, 75 seconds per Reading problem, and an average of 83 seconds per Math problem.
• ACT is notorious for time crunch, demanding 36 seconds per English problem, 60 seconds per Math problem, 52.5 seconds per Reading problem, and 52.5 seconds per Science problem. Time management is a crucial skill.

For a complimentary assessment of the test that favours you, contact us for a consultation meeting, at no charge, with one of our expert consultant-coaches.