ACT
Note that the ACT is moving to offer an online version of the test, but it's not yet widely available. I'm happy to discuss this ACT option with you!
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FASTER PACE
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~215 questions in 2 hours 55 minutes
~Better for students who work quickly, guess confidently
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MATH
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~Only multiple-choice questions
~Calculator allowed on all questions
~Covers a wider range of content than the SAT, including advanced topics such as logarithms, graphs of trig functions, combinations and permutations
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READING
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~Passages tend to be more engaging and easier to understand
~Fast-paced: students have about 50 seconds per question
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ENGLISH
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~Tests grammar, punctuation, diction, writing conventions, clarity and efficiency of expression
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SCIENCE
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~Tests the ability to understand experiments and interpret graphs and tables
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~Mostly a test of a student's ability to think logically in a scientific context, but does contain a few questions about a student's outside knowledge (such as about the pH scale or which planet is the biggest)
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SAT
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SLOWER PACE
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~98 questions in 2 hours and 24 minutes
~Better for students who work more deliberately and carefully
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MATH
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~Has both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions
~Calculator allowed on all questions
~Covers a narrower range of content, with more emphasis on algebra
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READING & WRITING
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~Passages tend to be more difficult and less engaging to the average student
~Passages can be very dense, but they're also quite short (perhaps two to four sentences)
~Slower-paced: students have about 70 minutes per question
~Tests grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary
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SCIENCE
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~Does not contain a dedicated Science section but will require the student to interpret charts and graphs on the science-themed passages