ACT and SAT Information

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ACT vs. SAT

The Differences

Which test is right for my student? Both the ACT and the SAT have undergone changes to their test format resulting in the tests becoming more similar; however, some differences still exist:

Preparing for the ACT and SAT - some quick differences at a glance

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ACT
SAT
PSAT
Looking for a tutor?
"Test Optional" Movement/Fair Test Colleges

ACT

How do I register? Click here for registration.

2023/2024 ACT Testing Dates
Test Dates	Registration Deadline	Deadline with Late fee	TIR?
September 9, 2023	August 4, 2023	August 18, 2023	Yes
October 28, 2023	September 22, 2023	October 6, 2023	No
December 9, 2023	November 3, 2023	November 17, 2023	No
February 10, 2024	January 5, 2024	January 19, 2024	No
April 13, 2024	March 8, 2024	March 22, 2024	Yes
June 8, 2024	May 3, 2024	May 17, 2024	Yes
July 13, 2024 (except NY)	June 7, 2024	June 21, 2024	No

At The Core’s ACT “Tips”

Test Information Release (TIR)
Take advantage of the Test Information Release (TIR) report (see chart for available dates) for an additional $32 fee ($40 if ordered after the test date). You will receive “a digital copy of the multiple-choice test questions, your answers, a copy of your answer document, the answer key, and the conversion table used in determining your ACT scores. If you took the optional writing test, you will receive a copy of the writing prompt, the writing test scoring rubric, and your essay scores.” You can order the TIR as you order the test, and you have up to 6 months after the test to request the TIR.
Geometry Class
Consider having your student take the ACT as close as possible to their completion of Geometry class. They will have the advantage of not having forgotten what they learned. Here is the math content covered by the ACT and some practice math questions.

Shocked by the pacing
Nearly every student who takes the ACT the first time is shocked by the pacing – “it’s so many questions…I didn’t manage my time well enough this first time, but I will do better with that next time.” If possible, take a full real practice ACT before taking it on a national testing date.

Read more about “clock shock” in our blog post from BWS Education Consulting.
Optional writing portion
In the past, At The Core would suggest always taking the essay portion of the exam at each exam sitting; however, now due to the limited number of colleges requiring the writing score, we recommend reviewing the list of colleges that still continue to require or recommend a writing score. Click here for ACT list. (These lists are subject to change–always check with the college.) Here are samples from ACT.

How do I prepare?

ACT Test Preparation includes sample questions, question of the day for practice, test taking tips, and descriptions of each test section
ACT Academy for free personalized ACT practice
Visit our Friends of At The Core page for our preferred tutors.

SAT

How do I register? Click here for registration.

2023/2024 SAT Testing Dates (Digital test registration is not open yet)
Test Dates	Registration Deadline	Online Deadline with Late Fee	QAS?
August 26, 2023	July 28, 2023	August 15, 2023	No
October 7, 2023	September 7, 2023	September 26, 2023	Yes
November 4, 2023	October 5, 2023	October 24, 2023	No
December 2, 2023	November 2, 2023	November 21, 2023	No
March 9, 2024 DIGITAL	February 23, 2024	February 27, 2024	N/A
May 4, 2024 DIGITAL	April 19, 2024	April 23, 2024	N/A
June 1, 2024 DIGITAL	May 16, 2024	May 21, 2024	N/A

* Students taking the digital SAT who need to borrow a device from College Board will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day.

At The Core’s SAT “Tips”

Question Answer Service (QAS)
Take advantage of the Question Answer Service (QAS) report (see chart above for available dates) for an additional $16. You will receive a booklet copy of the SAT questions and a report including your answers for the specific testing administration, the correct answers and additional scoring instructions, and information about the type of test questions and levels of difficulty of the questions. You can order this option when ordering the SAT or you can order it up to 5 months after the test has been taken.

Note: the new DIGITAL SAT does not have the option for a QAS report.

How do I prepare?

SAT Test Preparation includes practice tests, study plan, and question of the day.
Download Blueboard to practice digital SAT.
Click here for some test day tips.
Be sure to check out Khan Academy^®, the official SAT practice source.
Visit our Friends of At The Core page for our preferred tutors.
Read more about the digital SAT coming in March 2024

SAT Subject Tests

College Board Will No Longer Offer SAT Subject Tests or SAT with Essay

The College Board made this announcement on 1/19/21. Click to read their press release.

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT & National Merit® Scholarship Qualifying Test

What is it?

The PSAT/NMSQT is used to both practice for the SAT and to qualify for the National Merit® Scholarship Program.

How do I register? The testing is done through your home high school in October of your junior year (some have option of taking it in their sophomore year for practice).

At The Core’s PSAT/NMSQT “Tips”

Should my sophomore take the test?
If you were thinking of taking the test just to practice for the SAT, that’s fine! But, we recommend taking the regular SAT test itself. If you wanted your student to practice in order to qualify for the National Merit® Scholarship, take the PSAT/NMSQT.
Connect your College Board
After you get your results, you can connect your College Board and Khan Academy^® accounts to get free personalized SAT study recommendations.

You’re here because you need information on the high school to college transition. Join our mailing list to always get the latest!

Looking for a tutor?

What if the online ACT and SAT preparation tools aren’t enough?

Check out our “Friends of At The Core” or this list of local/national tutors and resources provided by the Olentangy Local School District.

At The Core’s tutor “Tips”

Be wary of any tutor who guarantees a certain score increase
One-on-one tutoring service
Consider whether your student will be best served in a group class or by using a one-on-one tutoring service. The cost for these services varies greatly and will be a factor, but so should your student’s learning style and your time frame.
Timing will be important!
Timing will be important! Don’t get into a tight spot and start looking for a tutor a few weeks before a testing date. They will be booked. Plan ahead….way ahead!

“Test Optional” Movement/Fair Test Colleges

What is it?

A growing number of colleges and universities recognize that some students may perform well academically but struggle with test-taking. Many schools will allow the student to apply without submitting any test scores (“test optional”) and a few will not accept any ACT/SAT scores at all (“test blind”). The National Center for Fair and Open Testing calls these “Fair Test” schools. They have found that removing test scores from the picture allows for a more diverse student body, and they rely more heavily on GPA and class ranking as an indicator of college readiness. Read more about test optional in our blog post by clicking here.

What schools are included?

The number is growing all the time but currently stands at over 1,900. Click here for a current list.

DISCLAIMER – The purpose of this resource library is to assist our college-bound families. At The Core LLC does not endorse any vendors or authors. We will gladly remove any link from this website upon request from the linked entity; this website is not sponsored or associated with any particular linked entity; and the existence of any particular link is simply intended to imply potential interest to the reader.

ACT and SAT Information

Get the latest testing news!

Need a deep dive and extra support on this topic?

ACT vs. SAT

Jump to a topic:

ACT

2023/2024 ACT Testing Dates

At The Core’s ACT “Tips”

How do I prepare?

Join our mailing list to always get the latest college planning news!

SAT

2023/2024 SAT Testing Dates
(Digital test registration is not open yet)

At The Core’s SAT “Tips”

How do I prepare?

SAT Subject Tests

College Board Will No Longer Offer SAT Subject Tests or SAT with Essay

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT & National Merit® Scholarship Qualifying Test

What is it?

At The Core’s PSAT/NMSQT “Tips”

You’re here because you need information on the high school to college transition. Join our mailing list to always get the latest!

Looking for a tutor?

What if the online ACT and SAT preparation tools aren’t enough?

At The Core’s tutor “Tips”

“Test Optional” Movement/Fair Test Colleges

What is it?

What schools are included?

Site Map

Newsletter

CONTACT

ACT and SAT Information

Get the latest testing news!

Need a deep dive and extra support on this topic?

ACT vs. SAT

Jump to a topic:

ACT

2023/2024 ACT Testing Dates

At The Core’s ACT “Tips”

How do I prepare?

Join our mailing list to always get the latest college planning news!

SAT

2023/2024 SAT Testing Dates (Digital test registration is not open yet)

At The Core’s SAT “Tips”

How do I prepare?

SAT Subject Tests

College Board Will No Longer Offer SAT Subject Tests or SAT with Essay

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT & National Merit® Scholarship Qualifying Test

What is it?

At The Core’s PSAT/NMSQT “Tips”

You’re here because you need information on the high school to college transition. Join our mailing list to always get the latest!

Looking for a tutor?

What if the online ACT and SAT preparation tools aren’t enough?

At The Core’s tutor “Tips”

“Test Optional” Movement/Fair Test Colleges

What is it?

What schools are included?

Site Map

Newsletter

CONTACT

2023/2024 SAT Testing Dates
(Digital test registration is not open yet)