As the last quarter dwindles away, many students are preparing to take the SAT, the Scholastic Assessment Test and the ACT, American College Testing. Although the two have the same purpose, providing colleges with information about the student. Both tests are accepted by all four year colleges in the United States. There are several differences to keep in mind as you decide which test would be a better fit for your strengths.

The SAT has Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and an optional essay. The ACT has English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, and an optional essay, the key difference between the two being the science section included on the ACT. The SAT, however, has a data driven analysis section, however, similar to the questions in the science section of the ACT. There is also a small difference in the allotment of time given for respective sections on each test: The SAT gives 50 minutes for the optional essay, and 3 hours and 50 minutes total for the test. The ACT sets aside 45 minutes for the optional essay and lasts 3 hours and 40 minutes total. Additionally, the ACT has more straightforward questions than the SAT, but the SAT’s questions get progressively harder throughout sections, which helps to divide your time more efficiently. When deciding which test you will take, it is also helpful to know that the ACT tends to be more popular with private east and west coast schools, and that the SAT is more common with public universities in the South and Midwest.

As you prepare to take either test, keep in mind these tips to better understand questions and divide your time more effectively.

• Eliminate incorrect answers: When you are stuck on a question, eliminate the answers you know are incorrect to help narrow down your options.

• Write on the test booklet: Something that few students realize is that you are allowed to write on your test booklet for either test, so labeling geometry problems and underlining key parts of each question is advisable to lessen the chance of misinterpretation.

• Answer easy questions first: Answering less difficult question first is the best way to make sure you get all of the points you can. If you are stumped on a question, move on from it, then revisit it later if you have enough time.

• Answer every question: If you have very little time left at the end of a section then spend the last few seconds bubbling in blank answers, on both the SAT and ACT you are not deducted points for wrong answers, they are treated as blank answers.

• Check answers: If you have extra time, make sure to double check your answers. In the math section, an easy way to check your answers is to plug back in the answer.

• Read the entire reading passage: Although skipping through a passage to find the answer to a question can save time, it is the best strategy to read questions, read the entire passage and then answer the questions to make sure you don’t miss valuable information.

• Answer the question in your own words: When answering the reading section questions, before you look at the answers, complete the question in your own words, then choose the best answer.

• Bring a watch: In case there is no clock or you can’t see the clock in the room where you are taking the test bring a watch to keep track of time.

Coronado sophomores and juniors take the PSAT 10 and SAT respectively on April 11, and the next ACT date is April 8th. Good luck!