ACT or SAT? Choosing What's Right for You

With the shift to the SAT as the official Illinois State Standardized Test, many students and parents are left wondering which college-readiness exam to prepare for as they near the end of their high school track.
          
ACT or SAT?

Choosing the right test largely depends on the strengths of the students themselves, as each test caters to certain skill sets.
iLearn Academy offers these helpful tips for making  this big decision.

Take a Mock Exam of each
Nothing gets students familiarized with their own strengths and weaknesses within these two different tests than simply taking a full-length practice test in each. The format and material may be similar, but external influences such as how an individual student responds to time management and which academic areas they struggle with greatly determine the test best suited for them.

Know the format of the two tests
ACT exams put students under a bit more timed pressure, whereas the SAT allows students more room to puzzle through their answers, even though the overall time of both tests is virtually the same. Are you the type of student who performs well under pressure? Or does test anxiety sometimes get the better of you? Predicting your performance can steer you in the right direction when selecting the appropriate test for you.

Haven't registered yet? It might not be too late!
​Visit our Important ACT/SAT Dates Page for more information
​about registration dates, late fees, and more. 

Play to your strengths
The SAT completely does away with the Science portion in its layout. While it may cover less material overall, SAT math includes Data Analysis on top of Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry and the SAT Reading portion contains one more passage than does the ACT. The writing is optional on both tests.
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Speak with your iLearn Academy teacher
Taking time to sit down with your iLearn Academy teacher – who knows very well your particular strong areas – will help you make an informed decision that will leave you confident in your choice.