[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-458554-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":80,"doc-detail-458554-en":130},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":73,"head_meta":75,"extra_data":77,"updated_unix":79},105,"en","college-entrance-tests-sat-and-act-overview","College Entrance Tests - SAT and ACT Overview","","College entrance tests provide colleges a standardized basis to compare applicants and help predict performance in college-level courses. The document explains how these tests fit within a broader admissions process that also includes high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. It details major test types and components, including the SAT’s scoring range and structure, SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT’s curriculum-based format, section scoring, timing, preparation guidance, costs, test dates, and accommodations for students with special needs.",{"@graph":14,"@context":72},[15,34,55],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/","Exam",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/college-entrance-tests-sat-and-act-overview/458554/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/college-entrance-tests-sat-and-act-overview/458554.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"McQueen","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-30","2026-09-30",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":22},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",{"@type":56,"mainEntity":57},"FAQPage",[58,64,68],{"name":59,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":61},"How do college entrance tests help in the admissions process?","Question",{"text":62,"@type":63},"They give colleges a standardized way to compare applicants and can be used to predict academic performance in college-level courses. Admissions decisions also consider transcripts, activities, essays, and recommendations.","Answer",{"name":65,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":66},"What does the SAT assess and how is it scored?",{"text":67,"@type":63},"The SAT measures critical thinking skills important for academic success, using a rights-only scoring approach. The total possible score range is 400–1600, with Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sub-scores of 200–800.",{"name":69,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":70},"When should students take the SAT and ACT?",{"text":71,"@type":63},"Many students take the SAT twice, often once or twice during sophomore or junior year and again in October of senior year, with colleges using the highest scores across dates (super-scoring). 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These tests are one tool used to predict your academic performance in college-level courses.  \nRemember, these tests are just one of  \nmany factors considered in the college admissions process. Colleges and universities also consider your high school academic transcript, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations in the admissions process.  \nWhat Are the Types of Tests?  \nThere are several different college entrance tests. For example, most four-year colleges and universities accept the SAT and ACT. These two tests are general in nature and examine reasoning skills through mathematical problems, reading comprehension, and writing. North Carolina's community colleges do not require the ACT or SAT for admission, and instead focus on accurate placement into courses using your unweighted high school GPA (see page 4) . Check the website of your local community college, compare your high school GPA to their placement requirements, and contact them if you have any questions.  \nCollege Entrance Tests  \nSAT  \nThe SAT measures critical thinking skills that are considered vital to academic success in college and beyond. The total possible score range is 400-1600. The SAT will be based on “rights-only” scoring, e.g., you receive a point for a correct answer but no deduction for an incorrect answer.  \nPreparation  \nThe heart of the SAT is analytical reasoning; therefore, cramming information won’t be of much assistance. In general, it is best to use study guides or sample tests to familiarize yourself with the types of questions and reasoning skills used in the exam. An excellent source of information about the SAT is [collegeboard.org](collegeboard.org), which offers a test preparation center with test-taking tips, sample tests, and questions of the day. College Board has a new partnership with Khan Academy ([khanacademy.org](khanacademy.org)) to offer a more personalized online option for SAT practice.  \nWhen to Take the SAT  \nAt least half of all students take the SAT twice, and there is no limit on the number of times you may take the exam. Many students take the SAT once or twice during their sophomore or junior year as a diagnostic  \n\n| Redesigned SAT | Score\u003Cbr>Range |\n| --- | --- |\n| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 200-800 |\n| Math | 200-800 |\n| Essay (optional) | 2-8 |\n| Possible Score Range | 400-1600 |\n\ntool, and again in October of their senior year. Colleges generally consider the highest scores across test dates (called super-scoring) .  \nSAT Subject Tests  \nThe SAT Subject Tests measure knowledge in the following subject areas (including some subsections) .  \n• English (Literature)  \n• History (U.S. History and World History)  \n• Math (Math Level 1 and Math Level 2)  \n• Science (Biology with either an ecological or molecular focus, Chemistry, and Physics)  \n• Languages, some with a listening section (Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese, and Korean) .  \nAll SAT Subject Tests are one-hour, multiple-choice tests. Some colleges may use the tests for admission decisions; other colleges use the SAT Subject Tests for college placement or advising. Check the admissions requirements for the colleges you have selected to see if any SAT Subject Tests are required or recommended.  \nPreparation  \nTaking SAT Subject Tests as soon as possible after completing course work in the subjects being tested will help, because the information will be fresh in your memory. For language tests, however, it is recommended that students wait until after they have completed at least two years of study.  \nCost and Test Dates  \n• $26 registration fee  \n• Plus $26 language test with listening  \n• Plus $16 each additional subject test  \n[For mor","cbCaijxR7TyvbvKU","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaijxR7TyvbvKU","pdf",353100,"English","# What Are College Entrance Tests and How Are They Used?\n# What Are the Types of Tests?\n## SAT\n## Preparation\n## When to Take the SAT\n## SAT Subject Tests\n## Cost and Test Dates\n## Students with Special Needs\n# ACT\n## Preparation\n## When to Take the ACT","[{\"question\":\"How do college entrance tests help in the admissions process?\",\"answer\":\"They give colleges a standardized way to compare applicants and can be used to predict academic performance in college-level courses. Admissions decisions also consider transcripts, activities, essays, and recommendations.\"},{\"question\":\"What does the SAT assess and how is it scored?\",\"answer\":\"The SAT measures critical thinking skills important for academic success, using a rights-only scoring approach. The total possible score range is 400–1600, with Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sub-scores of 200–800.\"},{\"question\":\"When should students take the SAT and ACT?\",\"answer\":\"Many students take the SAT twice, often once or twice during sophomore or junior year and again in October of senior year, with colleges using the highest scores across dates (super-scoring). There is no limit on ACT attempts, and taking it during junior year is recommended so results can influence senior-year coursework.\"}]","College Entrance Tests - SAT and ACT Overview | PDF"]