One of your first college admissions decisions is deciding whether to take the ACT, SAT, or both. As you read, you’ll discover there is no wrong or right answer to this question. Instead, keep an open mind and see which test best aligns with your skills and dream college’s admission requirements.
What are the ACTs and SATs?
The ACT and SATs are entrance exams designed to gauge how students may perform in college without additional support. These exams provide a glimpse of how prepared students may be to succeed upon acceptance. Traditionally, most universities and colleges used these results to accept or reject an applicant’s bid for admittance.
The higher students score on either test, the more funding and college options become available.
COVID’s Impact on ACTs and SATs
When COVID-19 hit, common ACT and SAT testing sites shut down for the safety of students, faculty, and staff. This prevented high school students from taking their tests and earning the scores required to apply for college. This was compounded by a 1.5% nationwide decline of freshman enrollment.
Colleges and universities sought new ways to increase freshman enrollment without penalizing students who couldn’t take the entrance exams. One solution was for colleges and universities to relax the test score requirements by implementing a Test Optional policy. This policy allows applicants to choose whether they submit their ACT or SAT scores during the admissions process.
If a student chose not to submit their ACT or SAT scores, it wouldn’t hurt their application.
As of 2022, at least 1800 four-year colleges across the US won’t require admissions tests starting fall 2023. This policy is said to remain in effect until 2025.
Do I Still Need the ACT or SAT?
The short answer? Yes, you do.
The long answer?
The Test Optional policy, in theory, avoids penalizing students who were unable to take their exams due to outside factors. It also provides more college options for excellent students who are simply poor test takers. Removing this requirement allows students an equal chance of being accepted into schools previously outside of their reach.
The Test Optional policy also makes it easier for anyone to apply for any school operating under this policy. This means both competition and rejection rates have increased.
So, how can you combat this new reality? A high GPA, strong college essay, extracurriculars, and glowing recommendation letters are a great start. Having an ACT or SAT score may also help your application stand out.
While some universities and colleges are implementing Test Optional policies, this policy currently doesn’t extend to scholarship applications. Increase your funding opportunities by taking the ACT or SAT.
If you’re unsure how to improve your current GPA or how to write your college essay, 宝博体育 Education can help.
What’s the Difference Between the ACT and SAT?
The three key differences between the ACT and SAT are time, sections, and scores. Choosing the best fit for you depends on your familiarity with each section and the time provided to complete them. Neither test has a guessing penalty, so students should answer as many questions as possible.
#1: Timing
The time provided to answer a question could be a huge factor when choosing the best test for you. While having extra time is nice, consider why that time may be factored into the exam.
Timing for the ACT and SAT
The ACT offers two versions: one with an essay and one without.
The ACT without the essay provides 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete 215 multiple-choice questions. This means you have roughly 50 seconds to complete each question. Remember, there is no guessing penalty for the ACT, so answer as many questions as you can.
The ACT with an essay provides the same 2 hours and 55 minutes for 215 multiple choice questions. Once complete, you’ll have an additional 40 minutes for your essay. This brings the total test time to roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The SAT gives you 3 hours to answer 154 multiple choice questions. This means you have roughly 70 seconds to complete each question. Keep in mind, the questions on the SAT aren’t as straightforward as those on the ACT hence the extra time.
Like the ACT, the SAT does not have a guessing penalty. Do your best to answer as many questions as possible.
#2: Test Sections
Both tests contain English, reading, and math. The ACT offers a science section which focuses on data interpretation and analysis. The closest the SAT comes to this section is the inclusion of tables and graphics across various sections.
ACT English vs. SAT Evidence-Based Writing
The ACT English section gives you 45 minutes to answer 75 multiple-choice questions. This section tests your understanding of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. It also requires critical thinking to eliminate incorrect answers which increases your probability of selecting the correct answer.
The SAT Evidence-Based Writing and Language section gives you 35 minutes to complete 44 multiple-choice questions. This section tests grammar, your ability to learn new vocabulary based on context, and your editing skills. Process of Elimination can be used to narrow choices and increase your probability of selecting the correct answer.
ACT Reading vs. SAT Evidence-Based Reading
The ACT Reading section gives you 35 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions. You’re provided four passages and 10 questions for each. The prose fiction passages test your ability to identify implied and explicit meanings.
Social science passages test your understanding of the main idea or an author’s opinion on a specific subject. Nonfiction passages often test your ability to make inferences based on the nonlinear information provided. Natural science passages test how well you can sift through dense material to find your answers.
The SAT Evidence-Based Reading section gives students 65 minutes to answer 52 multiple-choice questions. Like the ACT, you’ll have four types of passages: literature, history, social studies, and natural sciences. Unlike the ACT, you’ll read five passages during this section.
The questions in this section test your ability to infer answers based on the information provided. This section also requires you to compare multiple passages and find relevant information in a short timeframe.
ACT Math vs. SAT Math
The ACT Math section gives you 60 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions. These questions cover algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Fortunately, the ACT allows students to use TI-83 calculators during this section.
The SAT section is broken into two parts: 25 minutes without a calculator and 55 minutes with a calculator. Like the ACT, the math sections cover algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
ACT Science
The ACT Science section gives you 35 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions. The topics covered can include biology, astronomy, physics, or geology. The main purpose of this section is to test your ability to analyze data, trends, and make predictions.
Optional ACT Writing Test
The ACT Writing test provides a prompt and three perspectives. You have 40 minutes to form your own opinion and use these three perspectives to support your thesis.
Remember, the ACT Writing test is optional.
Some colleges may require this for admissions, while others don’t. Make sure to check your dream school’s requirements before deciding whether to take this section of the ACT.
It’s worth noting the SAT once had an essay section. However, as of June 2021, it has been discontinued.
#3: Scores
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600.
Several concordance tables were published to help students and schools compare scores across tests. However, the concordance tables shift as new data becomes available. As a result, we suggest taking comparisons between the two scores with a grain of salt.
Which Test is Right for You?
Ultimately, only you can choose the best fit for you. Taking practice tests for each exam can improve your familiarity with each. It can also help gauge your performance for both exams.
Consider the time and what to expect for each section when making your decision. Check out our webinar for ways to make informed decisions based on test information.
College Costs Remain a Concern for Incoming Students
COLLEGE ADMISSIONSSurveys indicate that the cost of college continues to be a concern, and experts indicate that we can expect to see costs continue to rise in coming years. At the same time, gift aid reached an all-time high, and the number of schools implementing “no loan” policies has increased.
College Costs Expected to Continue to Rise
A college education has never cost more than it does today—but this isn’t just because tuition rates have risen at rates far outpacing inflation for decades. The current economic climate has created a convergence of factors that have led to even higher college costs: record-breaking inflation, rising interest rates on student loans, and the market decline’s effect on investments that were earmarked for college costs.
Current high levels of inflation are increasing salaries and housing costs, which is hitting colleges’ bottom line. Colleges are also beginning to return to normal following massive expense cuts during the pandemic. This explains, in part, news of coming tuition increases. For example, Boston University recently announced a tuition hike of 4.25%, the “largest increase in 14 years.” Boston University is not alone: many universities are increasing tuition by anywhere from 2% to 5% this fall, according to Emily Wadhwani, senior director and lead analyst for colleges and universities at Fitch Ratings.
These tuition increases are likely to occur primarily at private schools. “Interestingly, [state funding is] a current bright spot,” Wadhwani said. “Most states had better than expected revenue trajectories through the pandemic and were also the beneficiaries of a significant amount of federal stimulus.” In fact, many state university systems introduced tuition freezes and increased funding for higher education.
Tuition Discount Rates Also on the Rise
Though sticker prices are expected to rise, many families may actually see lower net prices. According to the 2021 National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Tuition Discounting Student, average institutional tuition discount rates are at an all-time high. Data from 359 private colleges and universities showed an average discount rate of 54.5% for first-time freshmen in 2021-22.
For the first time, the NACUBO study also examined tuition discounts by institution selectivity. The most selective colleges discount their published tuition less than other institutions do. At schools with admission rates of 50% or lower, the median discount rate was just 44.8% compared to the overall average of 54.5%. Selective colleges have less need to offer generous aid packages to attract students.
More Colleges Go Loan-Free
Amidst the student debt debate, an increasing number of colleges are adopting loan-free financial aid policies. In total, The Chronicle of Higher Education estimates that approximately 75 schools have no-loan policies for either all students or for students meeting certain income thresholds.
Schools that meet full financial need regardless of income are primarily private schools, but Ohio State University recently announced a plan to introduce a debt-free degree program. Should this plan come to fruition, Ohio State would be the first public university to offer no loan financial aid packages to all students regardless of income or residency.
No-loan programs can be difficult to sustain as they rely on carefully controlled enrollment targets and consistent fundraising.
College Costs Continue to Play a Significant Role in in Students’ College Decisions
A pair of student surveys conducted in 2022 paint contradictory pictures of the role of college costs in students’ college decisions. Both surveys show that students consider the cost of college to be an important factor in their choice of school, yet both surveys also show that students highly value campus amenities and services.
The first survey, the EAB Freshman Survey, shows that 36% of students cited affordable tuition as one of the top three reasons for their choice of school. In addition, 37% of students who chose not to attend their first-choice school cited expensive tuition as the reason. yet these same students also cited campus experiences, including a beautiful campus and great student facilities, among their top ten reasons for choosing the school where they enrolled.
This is mirrored by a separate 2022 survey of high school seniors conducted by Art & Science Group. This survey found that 55% of respondents had significant concerns about their ability to pay for college. Despite that, a plurality—44%–said that they would prefer to enroll at a more expensive, academically equal school if that school had more amenities and services. Their top choice colleges tilted heavily toward high-amenity schools, with 58% ranked as having a high level of amenities.
Students seek a balance of impressive amenities—the lazy rivers, climbing walls, impressive housing, and free laptops advertised by many colleges—and affordable college costs. Finding that sweet spot is a challenge for college counselors.
Learn more about the current state of college admissions.
ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Is Right for You?
Resources, TEST PREP, Test PrepOne of your first college admissions decisions is deciding whether to take the ACT, SAT, or both. As you read, you’ll discover there is no wrong or right answer to this question. Instead, keep an open mind and see which test best aligns with your skills and dream college’s admission requirements.
What are the ACTs and SATs?
The ACT and SATs are entrance exams designed to gauge how students may perform in college without additional support. These exams provide a glimpse of how prepared students may be to succeed upon acceptance. Traditionally, most universities and colleges used these results to accept or reject an applicant’s bid for admittance.
The higher students score on either test, the more funding and college options become available.
COVID’s Impact on ACTs and SATs
When COVID-19 hit, common ACT and SAT testing sites shut down for the safety of students, faculty, and staff. This prevented high school students from taking their tests and earning the scores required to apply for college. This was compounded by a 1.5% nationwide decline of freshman enrollment.
Colleges and universities sought new ways to increase freshman enrollment without penalizing students who couldn’t take the entrance exams. One solution was for colleges and universities to relax the test score requirements by implementing a Test Optional policy. This policy allows applicants to choose whether they submit their ACT or SAT scores during the admissions process.
If a student chose not to submit their ACT or SAT scores, it wouldn’t hurt their application.
As of 2022, at least 1800 four-year colleges across the US won’t require admissions tests starting fall 2023. This policy is said to remain in effect until 2025.
Do I Still Need the ACT or SAT?
The short answer? Yes, you do.
The long answer?
The Test Optional policy, in theory, avoids penalizing students who were unable to take their exams due to outside factors. It also provides more college options for excellent students who are simply poor test takers. Removing this requirement allows students an equal chance of being accepted into schools previously outside of their reach.
The Test Optional policy also makes it easier for anyone to apply for any school operating under this policy. This means both competition and rejection rates have increased.
So, how can you combat this new reality? A high GPA, strong college essay, extracurriculars, and glowing recommendation letters are a great start. Having an ACT or SAT score may also help your application stand out.
While some universities and colleges are implementing Test Optional policies, this policy currently doesn’t extend to scholarship applications. Increase your funding opportunities by taking the ACT or SAT.
If you’re unsure how to improve your current GPA or how to write your college essay, 宝博体育 Education can help.
What’s the Difference Between the ACT and SAT?
The three key differences between the ACT and SAT are time, sections, and scores. Choosing the best fit for you depends on your familiarity with each section and the time provided to complete them. Neither test has a guessing penalty, so students should answer as many questions as possible.
#1: Timing
The time provided to answer a question could be a huge factor when choosing the best test for you. While having extra time is nice, consider why that time may be factored into the exam.
Timing for the ACT and SAT
The ACT offers two versions: one with an essay and one without.
The ACT without the essay provides 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete 215 multiple-choice questions. This means you have roughly 50 seconds to complete each question. Remember, there is no guessing penalty for the ACT, so answer as many questions as you can.
The ACT with an essay provides the same 2 hours and 55 minutes for 215 multiple choice questions. Once complete, you’ll have an additional 40 minutes for your essay. This brings the total test time to roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The SAT gives you 3 hours to answer 154 multiple choice questions. This means you have roughly 70 seconds to complete each question. Keep in mind, the questions on the SAT aren’t as straightforward as those on the ACT hence the extra time.
Like the ACT, the SAT does not have a guessing penalty. Do your best to answer as many questions as possible.
#2: Test Sections
Both tests contain English, reading, and math. The ACT offers a science section which focuses on data interpretation and analysis. The closest the SAT comes to this section is the inclusion of tables and graphics across various sections.
ACT English vs. SAT Evidence-Based Writing
The ACT English section gives you 45 minutes to answer 75 multiple-choice questions. This section tests your understanding of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. It also requires critical thinking to eliminate incorrect answers which increases your probability of selecting the correct answer.
The SAT Evidence-Based Writing and Language section gives you 35 minutes to complete 44 multiple-choice questions. This section tests grammar, your ability to learn new vocabulary based on context, and your editing skills. Process of Elimination can be used to narrow choices and increase your probability of selecting the correct answer.
ACT Reading vs. SAT Evidence-Based Reading
The ACT Reading section gives you 35 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions. You’re provided four passages and 10 questions for each. The prose fiction passages test your ability to identify implied and explicit meanings.
Social science passages test your understanding of the main idea or an author’s opinion on a specific subject. Nonfiction passages often test your ability to make inferences based on the nonlinear information provided. Natural science passages test how well you can sift through dense material to find your answers.
The SAT Evidence-Based Reading section gives students 65 minutes to answer 52 multiple-choice questions. Like the ACT, you’ll have four types of passages: literature, history, social studies, and natural sciences. Unlike the ACT, you’ll read five passages during this section.
The questions in this section test your ability to infer answers based on the information provided. This section also requires you to compare multiple passages and find relevant information in a short timeframe.
ACT Math vs. SAT Math
The ACT Math section gives you 60 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions. These questions cover algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Fortunately, the ACT allows students to use TI-83 calculators during this section.
The SAT section is broken into two parts: 25 minutes without a calculator and 55 minutes with a calculator. Like the ACT, the math sections cover algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
ACT Science
The ACT Science section gives you 35 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions. The topics covered can include biology, astronomy, physics, or geology. The main purpose of this section is to test your ability to analyze data, trends, and make predictions.
Optional ACT Writing Test
The ACT Writing test provides a prompt and three perspectives. You have 40 minutes to form your own opinion and use these three perspectives to support your thesis.
Remember, the ACT Writing test is optional.
Some colleges may require this for admissions, while others don’t. Make sure to check your dream school’s requirements before deciding whether to take this section of the ACT.
It’s worth noting the SAT once had an essay section. However, as of June 2021, it has been discontinued.
#3: Scores
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600.
Several concordance tables were published to help students and schools compare scores across tests. However, the concordance tables shift as new data becomes available. As a result, we suggest taking comparisons between the two scores with a grain of salt.
Which Test is Right for You?
Ultimately, only you can choose the best fit for you. Taking practice tests for each exam can improve your familiarity with each. It can also help gauge your performance for both exams.
Consider the time and what to expect for each section when making your decision. Check out our webinar for ways to make informed decisions based on test information.
Is the Digital SAT® Easier?
SAT, TEST PREPThe SAT® is changing in spring 2024. In addition to being adaptive and having some content changes, it will also be fully digital. One common question we’ve been hearing is, “Will the Digital SAT be easier than the current test?” According to the College Board, “The Digital SAT will continue to measure the skills and knowledge that research shows are crucial to college readiness and success and at the same level of rigor as the current SAT.” In general, the new exam is not designed to be easier, but there’s still a lot that’s unknown. Let’s dig in a bit deeper.
SAT Scoring Will Remain the Same
The new SAT will still continue to be scored on a scale of 400 to 1600. Similarly, the Math and Reading & Writing sections will continue to have a maximum score of 800 each. The score a student receives on the new SAT will be comparable to the current scores. For example, a score of 1400 on the new digital SAT will have the same value as a 1400 on the current test.
The Digital SAT Will Be Shorter
To make the SAT more approachable and less stressful for students, the Digital SAT will be 45 minutes shorter than the paper-and-pencil test and there are fewer questions. Test takers have more time to answer each question, meaning that the Digital SAT measures students’ skills and knowledge, not test-taking speed.
The New SAT Will Be Adaptive
The Digital SAT will utilize a multistage adaptive testing (MST) methodology. Being adaptive means the test can fairly and accurately measure the same things with a shorter test while preserving test reliability. Each section is divided into two equal-length and separately timed modules. The first module in each section contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions that allows students to demonstrate their achievement. Questions in the second module are either (on average) higher difficulty or lower difficulty than questions in the first module based on performance in the first module. This means that the test “adapts” to present questions that are more appropriate to a student’s performance level.
This is a major change to the current structure of the test. It’s important for students to understand that to achieve the highest score they have to do really well on the first module, or they will not achieve the score they want.
Test Content Changes
The digital exam will test new content that has been de-emphasized in the past. For example, the Reading & Writing section will feature a wider range of passage types, including poetry. The Math section will continue to rest heavily on algebra concepts, but will place greater focus on geometry and trigonometry.
Easier Does Not Mean Better
As we’ve said, the new SAT is not designed to be easier. However, it’s also important to understand that an easier SAT is not generally good news. On all prior iterations of the SAT, the College Board has utilized a practice known as equating to ensure that a given score on one SAT represents the same level of knowledge and skills as that same score on a different version of the test. Since the College Board has stated that the digital test scores will be equivalent to their paper counterparts, it seems safe to hypothesize that a similar practice will be put in place with the new test.
In the past, if a certain test was widely considered to be easy by test-takers, the scale for that test was particularly harsh. The table below illustrates the range of math scales that have been found on past SAT exams:
When an SAT is “easy,” the scoring is harsher—a single missed question could drop a student’s score by 20 points. If the rumors about the digital SAT’s difficulty prove true, it’s likely that the scoring will be similarly strict, meaning that students hoping for top scores will need to strive for perfection.
Want to learn more? Visit our Digital SAT Resource Hub.
The Importance of Parental Influence on College Decisions
COLLEGE ADMISSIONSParents have always played a large role in students’ college decisions, but surveys indicate that parents are playing a larger role in students’ college decisions than they have in the past. This increase in parental influence on college decisions may be a result of pandemic-related factors. This includes the forced proximity of recent years and concerns over schools’ pandemic responses.
Parental Influence Has Increased
A 2022 survey from EAB shows that parental influence has become a more important factor in students’ college decisions since the pandemic. Among students surveyed, 48% ranked “parental influence” as one of their top five sources of information on the admissions process, a substantial increase since 2019. Higher-income students, Asian students, and white students reported relying on their parents for guidance at higher rates than other subgroups.
Increased Parental Influence May Be Due to the Pandemic
Shifts in parental influence seem to be tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Madeleine Rhyneer, dean of enrollment management at EAB, cited “all of the at-home time that students had with family members during COVID-19” as a driving force behind this shift. She added that “when students say, ‘We’re going to college,’ they aren’t kidding, as this is very much a family decision.”
Parents Are Not Well-Versed in Changing College Admissions Trends
Unfortunately, many parents are not well versed in current college admissions trends. After all, the college admissions landscape is drastically different now than it was when the previous generation applied to college. Schools that were once relatively easy to get into are now highly selective, and the advice surrounding everything from extracurricular activities to college essays has changed.
It’s now more important than ever that families lean on expert college counselors to guide them through the college admissions process. This is especially true when the goal is to be accepted at and attend an elite school. 宝博体育 college counselors work with students and parents to create a personalized plan and roadmap to achieve their academic goals.
10 Ways To Strengthen Your College Application
College Adm, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, ResourcesBased on the current state of college admissions, we know that it’s more competitive than ever for students to get accepted at their dream schools. Strong grades, impressive course rigor, and top test scores are still key to getting those acceptances from top schools, but what else can students do to stand out? Take a look at the top ways to strengthen your college application from the experts at 宝博体育.
Explore All Your Options
It’s important to explore all your options. There are around 4,000 colleges in the U.S., so don’t limit yourself to just a handful of big-name schools. Keep an open mind because oftentimes, the school you end up falling in love with might be one you hadn’t even heard of until you started researching. And try to visit campuses. Visit big schools, small schools, urban schools, rural schools, schools you love, schools you’ve never heard of. This will help you to see what you really love or don’t particularly like about a school.
Include Safety Schools
Include safety schools on your college list. Super selective schools are reach schools for everyone, no matter how great your grades and test scores might be, so it’s important to hedge your bets. But remember: selectivity and quality aren’t the same thing. Just because a school might not be selective does not mean it isn’t a great school with awesome programs and engaged campuses. In fact, many safety schools are AMAZING schools.
Take the Test
At test optional schools, good test scores boost your chances for admission. And if you won’t be applying to college for a while yet, it’s best to assume that you might not have the option to skip testing at all of the schools on your list. Plan and prepare to take the SAT® and/or the ACT®. This is a key way to strengthen your college application.
Make the Right Course Choices
Early spring likely is when you’ll choose your classes for next school year. Give it a lot of thought and make purposeful choices. Take the most challenging courses that you can reasonably handle – don’t tank your GPA but make sure you’re challenging yourself. If your school doesn’t offer the course rigor you might hope for, look elsewhere. Lots of community colleges have dual enrollment agreements with local high schools or will welcome high school students into their classes. And as you choose your courses, be sure you’re developing your academic interests. If your goal is to be an engineering major, you’re better off taking electives in STEM subjects than, say, AP® Art History.
Maximize your GPA
Grades are perhaps the most important part of your application because without great grades, none of the other components of your application will get you through the admissions process.
Be Passionate About Your Interests
Your activities should reflect the things you’re interested in, so do what you love. Dive deep into your favorite extracurricular activities without worrying about “what colleges want to see.” What colleges really want to see is students who have explored and developed their interests so that they bring passion to campus. Showing your passion is a key way to strengthen your college application.
Craft Stellar Essays
Take the time to craft stellar essays. Remember that you’re not writing a doctoral thesis—you’re writing a compelling personal story. You should be yourself—be yourself with perfect grammar and spelling, but still be yourself. And get support in the process. Fellow students—hopefully ones who write well—teachers, tutors—these are all people who can give insight, feedback, and support.
Give Your Teachers the Tools You Need
To ensure great teacher recommendations, give your teachers the tools they need. Cultivate good relationships with your teachers so that you aren’t just another face in the crowd. Keep notes or write down interesting events from your classes. These kinds of records can help you write great brag sheets, which can make your teachers’ task far easier by reminding them of why you’re one of their best students.
Make Interviews Count
Make your interviews count. If you’re able to do an interview, do it.
Interested in learning more ways to strengthen your college application? Watch this webinar!
宝博体育 Education specializes in college counseling services. Our experts help students plan their academic journey with the ultimate goal of getting accepted to their dream school. Reach out to your local 宝博体育 Education center to get started today!
Digital SAT® Practice Questions
SAT, TEST PREPThe SAT® is going digital in spring 2024. Here at 宝博体育 Education, we recommend that students in the class of 2026 and younger prepare for this new version of the SAT. See below for some Digital SAT practice questions to start your prep today!
Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice Questions
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote the poem “Concord Hymn” for the 1837 dedication of an obelisk monument at the site of the Battle of Concord. In it, Emerson notes how much the battle site has changed since the battle itself: _____
Which quotation from “Concord Hymn” most effectively illustrates the claim?
a. “Here once the embattled farmers stood / And fired the shot heard round the world.”
b. “And Time the ruined bridge has swept / Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.”
c. “On this green bank, by this soft stream, / We set to-day a votive stone.”
d. “Bid Time and Nature gently spare / The shaft we raise to them and thee.”
The correct answer is B. The quotation describes a major physical change to the battle site—the bridge has been washed away. Answer A simply notes the importance of the setting as the place the Revolutionary war began. Answer C tells the reader that the poem is being read on the occasion of putting up a monument (“votive stone”) at the battle site, that is mentioned again in answer D, in which he asks Time and Nature to let the monument stand without wear and damage.
Motion pictures have sometimes been used to advertise medicine. Such was the case with The Ordeal of Thomas Moon, a 1957 film produced for Smith, Kline & French, now known as GlaxoSmithKline. The title character is played by a then-unknown 24-year-old _____ Dom DeLuise.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
a. actor: who would go on to much greater fame, the rotund comedian
b. actor who would go on: to much greater fame, the rotund comedian
c. actor who would go on to much greater fame, the rotund comedian:
d. actor who would go on to much greater fame: the rotund comedian,
The correct answer is D. The appositive phrase “the rotund comedian” describes Dom DeLuise, so it should be paired with the name using only a comma. The colon should follow the complete sentence that ends with “fame,” as the explanation of which actor it is then follows the colon as an explanatory phrase. Answers A, B & C all put the colon in illogical places. Colons follow immediately after independent clauses that are grammatically correct without what follows the colon. Answers B and C fail to do this correctly. Answer A does but the colon after an independent clause, but the relative pronoun “who” begins a descriptive phrase that is clearly meant to describe the “actor” and should not be preceded by a colon.
Plants called dicots rely on a deep taproot system to access water and soil-sequestered nutrients. Dandelions are a good________ is extraordinarily difficult because their taproots extend deep into the ground, and unless they are fully extracted, new dandelions can sprout from a broken root.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
a. example: clearing dandelions from a lawn
b. example clearing dandelions from a lawn
c. example although clearing dandelions from a lawn
d. While clearing dandelions from a lawn
The correct answer is A. This answer provides the most logical and most concise transition from the statement that “Dandelions are a good example” without introducing additional errors. Answer B creates a run-on sentence. Answer C uses the coordinating conjunction “although,” which doesn’t logically fit with the content of the text. Answer D uses the conjunction “while,” which doesn’t work well here because the statement about dandelions being an example and the description of how difficult it is to remove dandelions is not contrasting or happening at the same time (both meanings that “while” can hold).
Digital SAT Math Practice Questions
A cube has a surface area of 96 square centimeters and a density of 8.7 g/cm3. What is the mass of the cube, in grams?
a. 7.4 grams
b. 11.0 grams
c. 556.8 grams
d. 835.2 grams
The correct answer is C. Solve the surface area equation for side length, then use that to find volume. SA = 6s2 -> 96 = 6s2 -> s2 = 16 -> s = 4. The volume is V = s3 = (4)3 = 64 cm3. Finally, multiply volume by density (so the units cancel out) to get the mass in grams: 556.8 grams. Answer choice A is the result when dividing the correct volume by the density. Answer choice B is the result when dividing the surface area by the density, and answer choice D is the result when multiplying the surface area by the density.
Sarah is making a type of flatbread that only requires flour, butter, and milk. The mass of milk needed for the recipe is triple the mass of butter and half the mass of the flour. If the mass of the dough is x grams after mixing all three ingredients together, which of the following could represent the amount of milk used in the recipe, in grams?
a. ²⁄₉x
b. ³⁄₁₀x
c. ⁶⁄₁₁x
d. ⅗x
The correct answer is B. The ratio butter : milk : flour is 1:3:6 because the milk should be three times the butter, and the flour should be double the amount of milk. Adding all three parts gives a proportion: 3 parts milk/10 parts total = m grams milk/ x grams total therefore m = ³⁄₁₀x. Answer A is the result of using the reciprocal ratios for both butter and flour. Answer C is the result of using the reciprocal ratio for flour. Answer D represents the amount of flour, not the amount of milk.
The table below shows the results of a survey in which consumers were asked how likely they were to buy a product after watching one of three advertisements. What is the probability that a consumer answered “Likely to buy,” given that the consumer did not answer “Unsure”? (Express your answer as a decimal or fraction, not as a percent)
Focus Group Survey
The correct answer is 0.52. Because it’s given that the consumer did not respond unsure, the denominator of the probability is the number that did not respond unsure, 65+60 =125. The numerator is the total number of likely to buy, 65. Divide these for the probability, 65/125 = 13/25 = 0.52. Common errors are dividing out of the total instead of the given 65/20 5≈ 0.32, calculating the percent unsure instead of likely to buy 81/205 ≈ 0.40, and dividing by the amount unsure, instead of the amount not unsure 65/81 ≈ 0.80.
Want to learn more? Visit our Digital SAT Resource Hub.
The Importance of Qualitative Factors in College Admissions
COLLEGE ADMISSIONSParticularly at the nation’s most selective schools, the qualitative traits of a student’s application are heavily weighted. Schools identify essays, recommendations, and activities as key metrics in determining a student’s character. It’s key that applicants understand the importance of qualitative factors in college admissions and the best ways for their application to stand out from the crowd.
NACAC Report on Character and the Admission Process
In a new analysis of survey data from college admissions counselors, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) finds that 70% of admissions officers identify a student’s character attributes as either “considerably” or “moderately” important in the admissions process.
Selective colleges were much more likely than less selective colleges to rate character attributes as considerably important. After all, highly selective schools have applicant pools made up of high achieving students whose grades and test scores are often similarly impressive. Character traits offer a means of distinguishing among such academically impressive applicants.
The vast majority of admissions officers identified essays, recommendation letters, and the nature of extracurricular activities as their primary means of identifying and evaluating character traits. About half of participants also identified interviews as a source of information.
Given the proliferation of test optional policies and rising fears regarding grade inflation, such qualitative factors are likely to continue to play a substantial role in admissions decisions. Guidance surrounding extracurricular activities should begin no later than freshman year so that students have ample time to identify and pursue their passions throughout high school. The development of brag sheets and support in identifying ideal recommenders can help students maximize opportunities with regards to teacher recommendation letters. All 宝博体育 Education students are encouraged to begin work on college essays with an expert writing tutor during the summer after junior year.
Admissions Officers Cite Qualitative Traits of Their Incoming Classes
The data indicating the importance of qualitative factors in college admisisons is further supported by the statements made by admissions offices about their incoming freshmen. Colleges continue to highlight the experiences and accomplishments of their admitted students, alongside or even ahead of the academic qualifications of their students.
Vanderbilt Dean of Admissions Doug Christiansen had this to say of the incoming class of 2026:
“They are very academically accomplished in all facets—rigor of curriculum, types of courses they’ve taken, the grades in those courses, their testing. But I am even more impressed by what they’ve done in leadership and extracurricular activities, particularly during COVID-19. There are lots of things in our world today that are not very positive, and this class gives me hope. We have great students coming in; they’re concerned about the world they live in.”
Other colleges have highlighted the resilience of their incoming students (Colby College) and the “optimism and joy [students showed] in the face of continued uncertainty” (Brown University), demonstrating that how students weathered COVID-19 remains a significant concern for admissions officers.
Boston University highlighted some of the extraordinary experiences admitted students shared in their applications: one student developed an app to detect Parkinson’s disease using facial photographs; another interned on the set of the upcoming Star Wars installment Rogue Squadron; still another decided to combat a local school’s high dropout rate by implementing a peer tutoring program.
It’s not enough for students to be academically gifted—they must also be encouraged to develop, pursue, and demonstrate their characters.
Learn more about the current state of college admissions here.
Should the Class of 2025 Take the Digital SAT®?
SAT, TEST PREPStudents who are sophomores in the 2022-2023 school year will see the SAT® test format change in the middle of their junior year. It’s clear that seniors and juniors should take the current paper and pencil SAT®. Freshmen and younger should prepare for the new digital SAT®. But what about this year’s sophomores? Should the class of 2025 take the digital SAT?
For several reasons, 宝博体育 recommends that students in the class of 2025 prepare for and finalize their scores with the current paper and pencil SAT®.
Finalize Test Scores by December of Junior Year
宝博体育 has always advised students to finalize their SAT® scores by December of their junior year, and that advice is even more important for students in the class of 2025. Finalizing test scores by December in 11th grade leaves juniors free to focus the rest of the school year on getting great grades in their classes, preparing for May AP® exams, and narrowing down their college lists. This timeline creates less stress for students during a critical semester and allows them to focus on college essays in the summer.
Prepare for Only One Version of the SAT®
Students in the Class of 2025 have one more important reason to finalize their scores by December of 11th grade: Students who meet their score goals by December will not need to worry about preparing for a different version of the SAT®. They can continue with the techniques and methods they are already using to prepare for the test.
However, any students who take the official paper and pencil tests and do not meet their score goals before the release of the digital SAT® will still be in a position excel on the new test. Because the digital SAT® covers the same core skills as the paper test, students should be able to focus their remaining preparation on digital strategies as they will already have mastered the content.
Preparing for the Digital SAT® Could Delay College Application Timeline
“Should I just wait and take the digital SAT®? I heard it will be easier.”
If a student in the class of 2025 chooses to wait until spring of 11th grade to take the test, they risk delaying their college application timeline and may lose valuable time to work on essays and other components. What’s more, even if the digital SAT® is easier (and we have no evidence of that), an easier SAT® is not beneficial for students because it results in a harsher grading scale. On a so-called “easy” SAT®, a single missed question can drop a student’s score by 10 or 20 points.
宝博体育 Center Directors and teachers are ready to help you with a personalized plan to ace the SAT® that makes the most sense for you. Contact your local 宝博体育 center and get started today!
Want to learn more? Visit our Digital SAT Resource Hub.
What’s New In College Admissions: You Ask, We Answer
COLLEGE ADMISSIONSIn our most recent webinar, we discussed the current college admissions landscape, including trends, changes, and what students can expect. We received many questions from parents and students during the live webinar and we wanted to share the answers to a few of our favorites. Take a look!
How many schools should I apply to?
This can vary quite a bit depending on the strength of your application and how selective the schools you are applying to are. However, we typically recommend that students apply to six to 15 schools, including both reach schools and safety schools.
Should I still submit my SAT® scores if they aren’t as good as I want them to be?
We recommend researching admission data for the schools you plan to apply to. If your score is within or above the middle 50% of scores for that particular school, then we recommend you submit it when you apply. If your score is below the middle 50% of scores, you may consider not submitting it.
Do all schools do interviews?
No! Very few schools require interviews. Some schools offer optional interviews. If you’re interested in interviewing as part of your application process, we recommend reaching out to the admissions office at that school to inquire and schedule your interview.
What’s the difference between test optional and test blind?
This is a great question! Test optional means that schools will consider your test scores as part of your application, but you will not be penalized if you do not submit scores. Test blind means schools will not consider test scores in the admissions process, even if you submit them.
Is there an advantage to applying early?
Early application can help your chances of being accepted. Early decision gives you the best chance, but your acceptance is binding and you are required to attend that school. Early action, on the other hand, is not binding. You receive an early response to your application but do not have to decide then.
Watch the full webinar on what’s new in college admissions here!