PSAT - SAT - ACT Testing

No, colleges/universities do not have a preference between these two tests anymore. All colleges/universities treat these tests equally in terms of admission.

In Illinois, all juniors must take the SAT for a graduation requirement. This test is offered during the school day usually in April. Some students may score better on the ACT than on the SAT. It is a good idea to take both (even if they are just practice tests), to determine if the ACT highlights a student’s abilities better.

The SAT has two sections, Evidence Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math Section, and an optional Essay test. The Math section is broken into two parts, calculator, and non-calculator. They also have open-ended questions for Math.  The two section scores are added together to provide the total (out of 1600 total). There is no longer a penalty for guessing, and compared to the ACT, students have more time per question overall. The reading level of the SAT tends to be higher.

The ACT has four sections, English, Reading, Math, and Science, and an optional Writing test.  The four subsection scores are averaged together for students to receive a composite score (out of 36). Students can use their calculator throughout the whole math section and all answers are multiple choice. Students tend to have less time per question than on the SAT, but the reading level tends to be not as high.

Compare ACT and SAT Scores
Would you like to know what your score would be on the other test? Check out this document.

No! Both scores are considered equally for admission and scholarship consideration.

This is a personal decision. We encourage students to take advantage of the four free scores ACT and SAT provide when registering for the exam, and consider sending them to colleges/universities where they are more certain of admission (though colleges will consider the highest overall score that is sent to them). College Board does allow students to send the free scores within nine days of taking the SAT (before students receive the scores, but it allows the student to see how the test felt). Some colleges/universities require students to send all of their test scores, so sending them ahead of time can save families money.

If students qualify for a test fee waiver, College Board allows for unlimited SAT score fee waivers and ACT allows for 20 score fee waivers (after students receive their scores).

Khan Academy provides, free, customized, test prep for students. Students are able to connect their College Board account, with a Khan Academy account. Khan Academy will then take their current scores and provide support in areas that are needed. Use this link for SAT tips and strategies:

https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat/new-sat-tips-planning

Stevenson offers a five-day summer school test prep class for the ACT and/or SAT. Students will take a practice test on the last day of the class. Families can check out the offerings on the summer school web page. 

SAT provides an app for daily practice, more info can be found here: 
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/daily-practice-app

While SHS does not endorse any test prep companies, the CCC has compiled a list of local options.

The PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 exams are state-required, preliminary SAT tests for sophomores and freshmen, respectively. They are designed specifically for those grade levels to assess knowledge and skill levels. The PSAT exams serve as benchmarks that allow students and teachers to identify and target areas for practice for the state-required SAT exam during junior year. The tests emphasize reasoning and logic skills rather than rote memorization of facts and figures.

When and Where Will the Tests Be Taken?
The State of Illinois determines when PSAT exams will be administered, which is typically in late winter or early spring. Students will take the test at Stevenson. Testing locations will be announced. Students with testing accommodations will be contacted separately. No registration will be necessary, and there is no fee.

Additional Online Preparation and Resources
The following sites may prove helpful as your student goes through the PSAT process:

Approved Calculators: Click here for a list of approved calculators

More information about the full-fledged SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat?excmpid=VT-00051

Your counselor is the best resource for any questions regarding your student’s participation in the PSAT and other collegiate exams. For questions regarding national testing at Stevenson, please email shs_testing @d125.org.

How to Access Your PSAT 10 or PSAT 8/9 Score

Scores are released by the College Board, and are available only through a College Board account. Students who set up an account will receive an email from the College Board with the access code needed to view scores.

If you have an existing College Board account, sign in here.

Students who do not have an account must create a College Board account.

Students who do not see their scores when logging in may need to enter an access code. Students who need help in obtaining their PSAT access code can email SHS_testing@d125.org.

For additional information on understanding your PSAT score, read the College Board’s guide, Understanding Your Scores.

PSAT/NMSQT: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
All Stevenson High School juniors will have the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT free of charge at SHS. Sophomores who wish to take the exam will have to pay a fee.

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT/NMSQT is a multiple-choice assessment of verbal, mathematics, and writing skills. The test measures students’ critical thinking and reasoning skills, rather than focusing on recalling memorized, rote facts. The PSAT is an optional test that provides practice for the SAT Reasoning Test through personalized feedback of student performance with suggestions for improvement.

The SAT Reasoning Test, taken later in the junior year, can be used as a standardized test in college applications and may be helpful for students wanting to pursue admission to highly competitive colleges or universities.

The PSAT also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). Top performing juniors nationally (approximately 1%) may be eligible for money through National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic Scholarship funds.

Why take the PSAT/NMSQT?
Although the PSAT/NMSQT is an optional test, juniors should thoughtfully consider taking this test because:

• It is free practice for the SAT Reasoning Test, which is now the state and federally mandated collegiate entrance exam.

• The PSAT will provide free, personalized, focused practice through Khan Academy to assist with SAT preparation.

• Top performing juniors may be eligible for merit scholarships.

All Illinois high school students must take the SAT in the spring of their junior year as part of state graduation requirements. The SAT exam is the state’s college and career readiness assessment. 

• Students will automatically be registered for this exam and there will not be any additional fees to take this exam. 
• Though this SAT is a required state test for juniors, the resulting scores are official SAT scores that can be reported to colleges during the application process, if you choose. 
• Scores will be available in students’ College Board accounts 6-8 weeks after the exam. A paper copy of scores will not be mailed or distributed. 
• Stevenson’s rigorous curriculum prepares students for the SAT. There is no need to practice in advance for the exam. For those who wish to practice, or get a feel for the test, see the free resources below.

The SAT exam tests knowledge in four areas:

• Reading - Multiple choice questions will assess students’ understanding of reading fiction and nonfiction passages.
• Writing and Language - Students will identify grammatical errors in written statements in multiple choice questions.
• Math - Students will demonstrate their knowledge of linear equations, problem solving, and the manipulation of complex equations through multiple choice and short answer questions.
• Essay - Students will read and then evaluate a passage using evidence from the passage to support their answer.

For general questions about the SAT and the college application process, students should contact their counselor.

For specific questions about the exam administration or about accommodations, please email shs_testing@d125.org.

For more information about the SAT, including sample questions and approved calculators, please read the SAT Student Guide.

Stevenson provides students with access to a variety of SAT preparation resources:

• Free SAT practice test for juniors: Each year, Stevenson offers 11th-graders the opportunity to take a free, full-length SAT practice test at school.
• Summer school SAT preparation course: Stevenson offers an eight-day summer school test prep class focusing on essential skills assessed on the SAT.  Students will take a practice test (without essay and without accommodations) on the final day of the class, with immediate feedback and guidance for further practice. Families can visit www.d125.org/summer for the updated summer school course catalog and registration information. The course is open to students who will be entering grades 10-12.
• Free tutoring in the Learning Centers: Stevenson has certified tutors in the Information and Learning Centers (ILCs) to help students with SAT preparation, in addition to helping them succeed in the classroom as well. Visit the Tutoring Support Programs web page for details.

For students whose PSAT/NMSQT results during their junior year indicate that they did not meet college and career readiness standards in Illinois, Stevenson has partnered with Revolution Prep to provide assistance. A remediation program is available through Revolution Prep; eligible students will be contacted by the school.

Revolution PREP, which provides the free SAT practice test at Stevenson for juniors, also offers interactive online tutoring with experienced tutors, matched to students’ needs and learning style. Since 2002, Revolution Prep has helped more than 1 million families to reach their goals for test prep and academic success. Visit RevolutionPrep.com for more information.

Here are other helpful SAT resources available for all students:

General Practice Information:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests

SAT Practice on Khan Academy:
https://www.khanacademy.org/sat

Daily Practice App:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/daily-practice-app?excmpid=SM056-AL-1-tw.

Downloadable Practice Tests:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests

Downloadable Practice Tests for Assistive Technology:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-test-assistive-technology

Downloadable MP3 Practice Tests:
https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities/after-approval/taking-sat-accommodations