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CSS Tutoring Services
SAT/ACT Prep, and more
Phone: 804-897-7136
Email: csstutoring@gmail.com
FAQ - Test Information & Timing
All juniors who have completed Algebra II should consider using the August SAT leading up to their junior year. Alternately, they could use the September or October test during their junior year as a first testing option. This allows sufficient time to determine any areas that need extra emphasis prior to other test dates (Nov/Dec/Mar/May/June). There may be an exception for athletes: if possible, avoid test dates that correspond to major athletic commitments. Parents should always plan around all students' busy spring schedules and the AP testing (normally occurs in May). For the ACT, juniors should consider beginning with the September and/or October test of their junior year. The ACT offers the "ACT My Answer Key" (formerly the Test Information Release) for some test dates. This is a report that provides the test questions, correct answers, and student answers. This is a valuable resource in evaluating specific areas needing focus/review.
Many students have their own calculators and are very familiar with their function which makes students comfortable on test day. Do not buy a new calculator or borrow a friend’s calculator right before a test without mastering its use. Students who use unfamiliar calculators often spent part of their testing time figuring out the calculator. The SAT has the DESMOS calculator integrated into the test, so students should be familiar with that calculator. Please check the SAT and/or ACT website for the official calculator policies.
Every student should consider the ACT if standardized testing is not a strong point. We highly recommend taking a full ACT practice test the summer before Junior year to determine the suitability of the test for each student's needs. Most colleges will use scores from either the ACT or SAT for admission. Go to www.actstudent.org to find the practice test under the "test prep" tab. The ACT is a 2 hour and a 5-minute test consisting of 3 sections (English, Math, and Reading, an optional 40-minute Science section, an optional 40-minute written essay). For some, the ACT is a good choice. Vocabulary is not as important on the ACT and the reading comprehension section is a smaller portion of the overall score than it is on the SAT. Most colleges will use either score so there is no reason not to consider this test if the SAT is weaker than the student's need for the college of their choice. Since students often have not taken a pre-test like they have for the SAT, a practice test should be considered before investing time and money into preparation for this test. The practice test can be obtained from most guidance offices as part of the registration materials available for the ACT. There is some overlap in strategies between this test and the SAT.
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For more information about the new Enhanced ACT, please click here.
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Is the PSAT easier or harder than the actual SAT and why is the PSAT very important to some students?
No, that belief is a persistent myth. A very small number of colleges use the best overall score from one sitting for the SAT. Most institutions mix and match subscores. This "superscoring" wil combine the best Reading/Writing score with the best Math score. Additionally, when using the ACT, most colleges use the composite score. The majority of schools now use superscoring for the ACT as well. When in doubt, check each college's website to see if they superscore for the ACT (or SAT).
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What three SAT/ACT testing dates should all juniors consider as one of their choices during the junior year?
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Do colleges average test scores if a student takes the SAT or ACT more than three times?
Why do many students have an "A" or a "B" in English but do not do well on the SAT or the ACT reading section?
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What should I know about calculators?
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Should I take the ACT?
The reading and writing multiple-choice portions of the PSAT are basically the same difficulty level as those sections on the SAT. The math portion of the PSAT does not include all the skills that can be included on the SAT so students sometimes can score higher on that than they can on the SAT math. Athletes and students with high GPA's should attempt to score well on the PSAT since that score can be requested by coaches who are showing an early interest in an athlete and can be used as the beginning of a scholarship search for students with high GPA's. For all other students, the PSAT is a practice forum for the SAT and high scores could qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.
The content of English class is not the same as the tested subject matter of the SAT or ACT Reading sections. The SAT Reading/Writing section and the ACT Reading section both require the student to read "boring" passages and to answer questions based on direct evidence. Both tests require this type of literal thinking in a strictly timed format. Many students develop a form of "AP English Disease" which leads to over analysis and poor SAT/ACT performance. Some students have the appropriate skills, but cannot properly manage their time. We address all of these issues in our classes.
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For FAQs about the new digital version of the SAT, please continue reading here.