2022 SAT & ACT
In determining admission to college, most students will take either the SAT, administered by the College Board or the ACT, administered by ACT.org. In general, the ACT and the SAT test both attempt to measure college readiness and predict a student’s future academic success. Each test generally covers the same topics of reading comprehension, grammar, math computations and reasoning.
The scores can be an integral part in a student’s college application package and are utilized by admission counselors in making decisions and awarding merit scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. My advice for students and families is to only take one of the tests, either the SAT or the ACT, NOT both.
If the student is considering a career in a STEM field, I recommend the student take the ACT because there are some science questions embedded in the English and Math sections.
Students with an interest in science self report that the ACT is easier than the SAT. To be honest, it isn’t. It is perceived to be, though, and from the perspective of student test anxiety, taking what is believed to be the easier test may make sense for some. That’s why, if you’re interested in a STEM field, I recommend the ACT over the SAT. But, it’s always your choice.
If we work together, let’s discuss this in more specific detail related to your student.
Common Questions Students And Parents Often Ask Me About The SAT And ACT Tests:
Who needs to take these exams?
All high school juniors who are considering college.
What should I do after I take the exam once?
This is a terrific question. By the time most juniors take the exam, they have already created a list of colleges and maybe even visited a campus or two. On every college’s website is posted the range of test scores that the college considers in their admission decisions. I advise my families to compare the student’s scores with what the college is considering. I then advise that the student and parents create a test-prep strategy so that the next time the student takes the exam, he or she works towards earning scores that are within the desired college’s range of test scores. This strategy can include studying on their own, purchasing a test-prep book through Amazon or hiring a test-prep tutor. I always advise families of their options, and consider time and budget in the recommendations.
Should I have the scores sent directly to the colleges or should I send them in myself?
This is totally your decision. Many of my students will wait until they receive their scores before submitting them to the college(s) of their choice. The most important factor is to make sure you send in your scores by the college’s deadline which you can find on their website or if we work together, I will give it to you directly.
How do I ensure that my accommodations for testing are allowed the day of testing?
That’s a great question. If you have an IEP or a 504 Plan that includes testing accommodations, check with the faculty at your school to make sure that they have sent in the proper documentation. This is usually done early in a student’s sophomore or junior year long before accommodations are needed. If we work together, I will help you with all of this.
When in their high school career do they need to take them?
I recommend that students take these exams beginning as early as January of their junior year through October of their senior year. This range of time gives students more than one opportunity to be successful at the exam. I’ll go into that more later on this page. The dates for the 2022/2023 SATs and ACTs are detailed below.
What is a Super Score?
Another great question! Super Score refers to a college considering the highest English subtest score and the highest Math subtest score. For example, one of my student’s Collin, took the SAT twice, once in March and again in May. His scores are below: March: English: 620 Math: 550 Total: 1170 May: English: 600 Math: 590 Total: 1190 With Superscore: English: 620 Math: 590 Total: 1210 Would you please explain test optional to me: Test optional is a term that has taken on more importance in college admissions since March of 2020, when the pandemic began. It means that the college will consider your application if you submit a test score AND if you choose not to submit a test score. Check out: https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional for a current list of all colleges in the US that have test optional policies. What is test blind? Test blind refers to a decision made by certain colleges not to factor a student’s test scores into an admission decision even if the student submits the scores. I recommend that students take the test the first time without studying or completing any test prep. After receiving your first set of scores, I recommend to my families that they create a plan to prepare for the next exam. This could include using prep questions listed on the SAT and ACT website, purchasing a study guide complete with practice tests, paying for a tutor or some combination of all three depending on time, need and budget. Students who take any of these actions usually only need to take the exam one more time before getting the score that will enhance their college application. I do offer a scholarship search service where I take the exhaustive research and guesswork out of the process for you. I find any and all scholarships the student is qualified for, along with the qualifications, requirements and deadlines. I also coach the student in writing essays that will support the student in being awarded the scholarship. If you’re interested in this service, please contact me so we can discuss the details.
Common Questions Students And Parents Often Ask Me About The SAT And ACT Tests:
Who needs to take these exams?
All high school juniors who are considering college.
When in their high school career do they need to take them?
I recommend that students take these exams beginning as early as January of their junior year through October of their senior year. This range of time gives students more than one opportunity to be successful at the exam. I’ll go into that more later on this page.
The dates for the 2022/2023 SATs and ACTs are detailed below.
What should I do after I take the exam once?
This is a terrific question. By the time most juniors take the exam, they have already created a list of colleges and maybe even visited a campus or two.
On every college’s website is posted the range of test scores that the college considers in their admission decisions. I advise my families to compare the student’s scores with what the college is considering. I then advise that the student and parents create a test-prep strategy so that the next time the student takes the exam, he or she works towards earning scores that are within the desired college’s range of test scores.
This strategy can include studying on their own, purchasing a test-prep book through Amazon or hiring a test-prep tutor. I always advise families of their options, and consider time and budget in the recommendations.
What is a Super Score? Another great question! Super Score refers to a college considering the highest English subtest score and the highest Math subtest score. For example, one of my student’s Collin, took the SAT twice, once in March and again in May. His scores are below:
March: English: 620 Math: 550 Total: 1170
May: English: 600 Math: 590 Total: 1190
With Superscore: English: 620 Math: 590 Total: 1210
Would you please explain test optional to me: Test optional is a term that has taken on more importance in college admissions since March of 2020, when the pandemic began. It means that the college will consider your application if you submit a test score AND if you choose not to submit a test score.
Check out: https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional for a current list of all colleges in the US that have test optional policies.
What is test blind? Test blind refers to a decision made by certain colleges not to factor a student’s test scores into an admission decision even if the student submits the scores.
I recommend that students take the test the first time without studying or completing any test prep. After receiving your first set of scores, I recommend to my families that they create a plan to prepare for the next exam. This could include using prep questions listed on the SAT and ACT website, purchasing a study guide complete with practice tests, paying for a tutor or some combination of all three depending on time, need and budget.
Students who take any of these actions usually only need to take the exam one more time before getting the score that will enhance their college application.
Should I have the scores sent directly to the colleges or should I send them in myself?
This is totally your decision. Many of my students will wait until they receive their scores before submitting them to the college(s) of their choice. The most important factor is to make sure you send in your scores by the college’s deadline which you can find on their website or if we work together, I will give it to you directly.
How do I ensure that my accommodations for testing are allowed the day of testing?
That’s a great question. If you have an IEP or a 504 Plan that includes testing accommodations, check with the faculty at your school to make sure that they have sent in the proper documentation. This is usually done early in a student’s sophomore or junior year long before accommodations are needed.
If we work together, I will help you with all of this.
2022 SAT & ACT Test Dates & Comparison Chart 2022 SPRING/SUMMER TEST DATES
SAT Test
April 2
June 11
July 16
Registration Deadline
February 2
May 6
June 17
Please check www.collegeboard.org and/or www.act.org for date changes due to the COVID19.
For a chart that compares the SAT and ACT Tests, click here.
ACT and SAT Fall 2022-Spring 2023 Test Dates
Test Date
Aug 27
Oct 1
Nov 5
Dec 3
Mar 11
May 6
June 3
Registration Deadline
July 29 2022
September 2
October 7
November 3
Feb 10
April 7
May 4
ACT Test Registration Deadline
Test Date
Sept 10
Oct 22
Dec 10
Feb 11
April 15
June 10
July 15
Registration Deadline
Aug 5
Sept 16
Nov 4
Jan 6
March 10
May 5
June 16
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