WHS SCHOOL CODE: 053775
Every high School is assigned a six digit school code that students must enter on each SAT or ACT exam they take. This ensures that the student receives their score report without delay and is able to send their scores to prospective colleges.
College Entrance Exams (SAT & ACT)
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*The University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems no longer require either ACT or SAT scores as part of the application process. However, test scores may be used in determining scholarship eligibility.
*Private and/or out of state Colleges/Universities may require them.
*Always check with the school you are applying to for admissions requirements.
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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
SAT | VS | ACT |
The SAT is an aptitude test that tests your reasoning and verbal abilities. The SAT Test is used more as a predictor of what a student is capable of learning. It deals with material the student may NOT have learned in high school. | What does it measure? | The ACT is an achievement test that measures what you have learned in school. It covers material that the student should have learned during high school. |
Content-based test | Type of Test | Content-based test |
Reading: 1, 65-min section; Math: 1, 25-min section (no calculator) & 1, 55-min section (w/ calculator); Writing & Language: 1, 35-min section | Test Format | English: 1, 45-min section; Math: 1, 60-min section; Reading: 1, 35-min section; Science: 1, 35-min section; Writing: 1, 40-min essay (optional) |
Reading, relevant words in context, math, grammar & usage | Content Covered | Grammar & usage, math, reading, science reasoning, and writing (optional) |
Questions are evidence and context-based in an effort to focus on real-world situations and multi-step problem-solving | Test Style | Straightforward, questions may be long but are usually less difficult to decipher |
Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing are each scored on a scale of 200-800. Composite SAT score is the sum of the two section scores and ranges from 400-1600 | Scoring | English, Math, Reading, and Science scores range from 1-36. Composite ACT score is the average of your scores on the four sections; ranges from 1-36 |
No – you do not lose points for incorrect answers | Penalty for Wrong Answers? | No – you do not lose points for incorrect answers |
Yes – you can choose which set(s) of SAT scores to submit to colleges. However, some colleges require or recommend that students submit all scores. Students should review the score-reporting policy of each college to which they plan to apply. | Score Choice? | Yes – you can choose which set(s) of ACT scores to submit to colleges. However, some colleges require or recommend that students submit all scores. Students should review the score-reporting policy of each college to which they plan to apply. |
Math questions generally increase in difficulty level as you move through that question type in a section. Reading passage questions generally progress chronologically through the passage, not by difficulty level. Writing & Language passage questions do not progress by difficulty level. | Difficulty Levels | For the English and Reading sections, the difficulty level of the questions is random. For the Math section, questions generally increase in difficulty as you progress through the section. For the Science section, passages generally increase in difficulty as you progress through the test, and questions generally become more difficult as you progress through a passage. |
Arithmetic, problem-solving & data analysis, heart of algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, and trigonometry; formulas provided | Math Levels | Arithmetic, algebra I and II, functions, geometry, trigonometry; no formulas are provided |
Seven times per year: March or April, May, June, August, October, November, December (note that some states offer the SAT as part of their state testing requirements; these tests are not administered on the national test dates) | Offered when? | Seven times per year: February, April, June, July, September, October, December (note that some states offer the ACT as part of their state testing requirements; these tests are not administered on the national test dates) |
Typically about four weeks before the test date | Registration deadline? | Typically about five to six weeks before the test date |
More Information |
MORE ABOUT THE TESTS
SAT | ACT |
See your counselor about fee waivers! | See your counselor about fee waivers! |
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