| |
The SAT and ACT are entrance exams required by colleges and
universities for admission. It is recommended to take the college
entrance exams during the spring of your junior year so there is
time during the fall of your senior year to retake if necessary.
|
|
| |
All colleges and universities in Texas accept either exam. The
majority of schools require a minimum score on the ACT or SAT to be
admitted. To find out the minimum score for the school you are
interested in, check with the school′s website, their current
catalog, or admissions office.
|
|
| |
What are the differences between SAT and ACT?
|
|
| |
SAT attempts to measure your aptitude and ability in the three areas
of math, critical reading, and writing. The test includes a
60-minute writing section; a critical reading section with long and
short reading passages; and a math section with algebra, geometry,
operations, and probability. Each section is reported as a score on
the scale from 200-800.
|
|
| |
ACT attempts to measure specific knowledge and curriculum in the
four areas of English, math, science, and reading. Scores are
reported in the form of sub scale scores for each section and the
composite score that ranges from 1 to 36. Currently the national
average composite score is 21.
|
|
| |
Students also have the option on the ACT to take a 30-minute writing
section. This writing section complements the English section.
Scores are reported the same as above
plus there will be two additional scores reported for the writing
sub score and combined English/writing score. Students should
contact the schools/colleges they are considering to determine if
the writing test is required or visit
www.act.org
for a listing.
|
|
| |
Which exam should I take?
|
|
| |
It depends on your strengths. The SAT tries to measure ability,
which supposedly does not change. On the other hand, the ACT tries
to measure specific knowledge from curriculum so items may look
familiar to you. Another factor to consider is that one-third of the
SAT is math with only one-fourth of the ACT is math.
|
|
| |
The choice of which exam to take can only be made by you, because
you should know which one is likely to show your strengths. It is
recommended that you take both tests to see which one you perform
better on.
|
|
| |
How do I register for SAT and ACT?
|
|
| |
Pick up the proper packet for SAT and Act in the Counselor′s office.
Fill out the registration form and make sure you choose test centers
and school you ant to receive your scores. Then put your payment in
the envelope, and mail the materials. Pay attention to deadlines.
You will receive a ticket in the mail for admittance to the test.
Your scores will be reported to you four to six weeks after you have
taken the test.
|
|
| |
OR
|
|
| |
Register online for SAT at
www.collegeboard.com
and for ACT at
www.actstudent.org.
You can complete all the registration information online. One
advantage is your test center site is reserved immediately. Another
advantage is that if you retake the exams you can access the
registration information already saved. Keep in mind that with this
registration method, you are required to pay with credit card. After
you register, you print the admission ticket.
|
|
| |
How do I prepare for the SAT?
|
|
| |
It is recommended for students to prepare for the ACT and/or SAT
before they take the test. Students can take practice tests in order
to become familiar with the format, types of questions, timing and
directions. Practice tests are available in:
|
|
-
Online at registration websites for ACT and SAT
|
|
|
|
|
| |
BHS
also offers a SAT/ACT prep course; see counselor for details.
|
|
| |
THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment)
|
|
| |
If students are planning to attend a
public community college, public technical college, or
public university in Texas, they are required to take
this basic assessment test for reading, writing, and
math skills before enrolling in classes. This test is
NOT an admissions test, and students cannot be denied
admission based on their score. However, if certain
requirements are not met, then students may be placed in
remedial classes to work on the above skills.
|
|
| |
Students can be exempt from the THEA by:
-
Having an ACT composite score of 23,
with a minimum of 19 on both English and math tests;
or
|
-
Having an SAT combined verbal math
score of 1070, with a minimum of 500 on both verbal
and math tests; or
|
-
Scoring 2200 on Exit-level math TAKS, and score 2200
on Exit-level English/Language Arts TAKS with a
writing sub score of 3; or
|
-
Enrolling in a certificate program of 42 semester hours
or less at a public community college or technical
college.
|
|
|
| |
Students can register online at
www.thea.nesinc.com
or pick up Registration packets in the Counselor′s Office. |
|
