Frequently Asked Questions on the PSAT, SAT, and ACT Tests

The SAT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in two areas: Mathematics and Reading /Writing. SAT results are accepted by all U.S. colleges and universities. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 14 minutes.

The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional essay. The ACT is an alternative to the SAT, and results are accepted by all U.S. colleges and universities. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (not including the essay). 

SAT vs ACT flyer

Listen here: ALL ABOUT DIGITAL SAT MATH, ALL ABOUT DIGITAL SAT READING & WRITING, ACT ENGLISH REPORTING CATEGORIES, ACT MATH REPORTING CATEGORIES, and ACT READING REPORTING CATEGORIES

There is no such thing as a good score or a bad score on the SAT or ACT. Every score needs to be judged on how it compares to your GPA and to the median scores of students accepted by the colleges that you want to attend.

SAT vs ACT Flyer

With recent changes to the SAT in March 2024 becoming a digital, adaptive test, the tests have become more different in content, format, and strategy. The ACT tests a broader range of material than the SAT and some students perform better on it than they do on the SAT. All colleges will accept either SAT or ACT scores, so taking the ACT in addition to the SAT can give you another shot at improving your odds. If you do poorly on the SAT you can simply choose not to report your score. 

SAT vs ACT flyer

Listen here: CHOOSING BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT

Generally, students should take the ACT in December of junior year to establish a baseline and order a copy of their test and answers (Test Information Release), and then retest it in April or June of the junior year.

Students will take the PSAT in school in October of their junior year and receive their PSAT results online in early November. Students can review those results and evaluate their chances on the SAT versus the ACT. Students can then take the SAT in March or May of junior year, and then retest in June or August.

Many high schools will offer an SAT or ACT in school during a weekday in late February or March paid for by the state, so you may want to consult your Guidance office for additional test dates. Listen here: WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE THE SAT OR ACT?

This depends on where you are academically in your high school career, whether you will need to take any AP Tests, and your own personal test preparation schedule. The following are the three most popular times for students to prepare:

1. Summer before junior year: There are many advantages to preparing at this point if you have completed the necessary coursework to attempt the tests early. First, you will have the benefit of specialized preparation for each SAT/ACT that you take. In addition, many students who start early will build on their testing knowledge and increase their comfort with the test as they progress. Also, for some students, the most important reason for preparing before junior year is simply to use some of the free time over the summer. But remember, this option is not best for everyone. Fall tests are generally taken by seniors. If you will be a junior, and you believe you may test well on the PSAT for National Merit, we recommend that you prepare in the summer before junior year.
2. Leading up to spring of junior year: This is when most students will take the SAT or ACT for the first time. Spring of junior year is when many students are academically prepared and still have the opportunity to retake the test in the coming summer or fall. The April ACT/March SAT tests are the most popular tests of the year. The July ACT and August SAT are the third most popular. 
3. Summer before senior year: Although college application deadlines are right around the corner, preparing for the SAT/ACT in the summer or fall of the senior year is very popular. The July or September ACT/ August or October SAT tests provide students with near-final results when applying to colleges. However, students may still take the tests in December for college admissions and scholarship consideration. Refer to actstudent.org or collegeboard.com for the most up-to-date information on test dates in your state.

Many students and parents are under the impression that repeating the SAT/ACT is not a good idea. They often feel that multiple scores will ‘look bad’ or that good scores will merely be averaged with weaker scores. Both points are incorrect. First of all, you have the ability to submit your highest scores. If you have taken the ACT multiple times, ACT will only send colleges the score from the date you specify.

In addition, all colleges use students’ highest scores in evaluating their applications. They choose the highest scores in one of two ways. Some schools combine the highest English, Math, Reading or Science scores from one test date with the highest English, Math, Reading or Science scores from another test date. If that’s the case, then you can send multiple test results (if you have taken the ACT multiple times) to that school. Other schools take the highest composite score from a single test date. Ask your college counselor or call a college directly to find out the school’s policy. In no case, however, is repeating the test detrimental. Most students now take the SAT and ACT two or three times, which is adequate for a well-prepared test-taker.

The ACT is offered nationally seven times a year in February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. The SAT is offered nationally six times a year in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. High schools may also offer an in-school SAT or ACT test date in February, March, or April of the junior year.

If you have a documented physical or learning disability and normally receive extra time on your tests in school, then you are eligible to get extra time on the SAT and ACT as well. If you have a physical or learning disability and feel that you need extra time, but you do NOT normally receive extra time in school, then you must request an exception. In either case, there are a number of steps that you and/or your parents must take, so it is a good idea to get started early by finding out who your school’s Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities is and consulting with him. Listen here: RECEIVING TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS and COMMON MISTAKES IN APPLYING FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

You can register for the ACT online at actstudent.org or the SAT online at collegeboard.com. 

ACT scores are available 10 days after an ACT test date in your online ACT account. SAT scores are available 13 days after an SAT test date in your online SAT account. 

Only if you request and pay for it, and you can get it only for the December, April and June ACT test dates (not available for the SAT). If you sign up for any of these test dates, Seeley Test Pros recommends getting a copy of your test. You will receive a copy of your exam about 4-6 weeks after your test date in the ACT portal, and it can be useful in helping you assess what you did right and wrong. For any other test date, there is no way to obtain a copy of your exam. Listen here: THE ACT TIR