Your Guide to College Entrance Exams
Your Guide to College Entrance Exams
College entrance exams attempt to measure your math, verbal, analytical, and writing skills. Many four-year colleges and universities use these tests. Certain community and technical colleges also require ACT scores or SAT scores, especially if you plan to enroll in a program that prepares students to transfer to a four-year school.
This guide can help you navigate standardized testing by covering the structures and scoring processes of the ACT and SAT. You can also gain insight into AP, CLEP, PSAT, and TOEFL tests. The guide also provides tips on how to score well on college entrance exams.
Table of Contents
SAT
The Scholastic Assessment Test, or SAT, is one of two major standardized exams used by postsecondary schools to evaluate the college readiness of undergraduate students. Over 2 million learners take the SAT each year.
For tips on how to effectively study for this important test, consult our SAT Prep Guide.
SAT Overview
SAT Subject Tests
The College Board began offering a series of subject-specific exams in 1937. Today, you may choose from 20 SAT Subject Tests in five broad areas of study: English, history, languages, math, and science. These tests allow you to highlight areas where you excel or make up for lackluster grades on your high school transcript, thereby improving your chances of earning admission to competitive colleges and universities.
SAT Subject Tests Overview
ACT
First introduced in 1959, the ACT (or American College Testing) assesses a student’s college readiness in English, reading, math, and science. Colleges and universities use these scores as common data points with which to evaluate applicants. You can learn how to maximize your performance by checking out our ACT Prep Guide.
ACT Overview
ACT vs. SAT
What’s the Difference Between the ACT and SAT?
The ACT and SAT assess student college readiness and achievement in primary academic areas. Similarities between the two exams include the following:
Despite these similarities, there are several major differences between the two exams. The ACT measures overall educational development, while the SAT focuses more on testing logic and problem-solving skills.
| ACT | SAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Question Delivery | The ACT features more challenging questions phrased in a straightforward manner. | The SAT often disguises simpler questions by phrasing them in a more convoluted manner. |
| Mathematics | The ACT features more complex questions in the math section and allows students to use an approved calculator throughout this section. | The SAT focuses less on advanced math skills, and calculators are not allowed in certain segments of the mathematics section. |
| Science | The ACT includes a science reasoning section with readable passages followed by multiple-choice questions. | The SAT does not contain a science component. |
| Education and Career Planning | In addition to general background information, the ACT collects information related to student education and career planning. | The SAT does not collect information regarding student education and career planning. |
| Scoring | Each required section of the ACT is scored up to a maximum of 36 points. Final scores represent a composite of all four sections. | The SAT features two required sections with a total of 200-800 points possible in each section. Final scores represent the total points earned in both sections; the maximum score on the SAT is 1600. |
How Do I Compare My ACT Score and SAT Score?
The maximum score on the ACT is 36, while the maximum SAT score is 1600. Comparatively, each point on the ACT represents 40-50 points on the total score of the SAT. For example, an ACT score of 35 is generally equivalent to an SAT score of 1540-1590.
The average ACT composite score in the U.S. during the 2017-2018 calendar year was 20.8 points. The average total SAT score in 2018 was 1068 points.
Should I Take Both the ACT and the SAT?
Generally, colleges and universities that require standardized test scores accept either the ACT or SAT. Some schools recommend taking both tests and submitting whichever score is higher, whereas others advise against this practice because splitting time studying for two tests may lower your overall scores on both.
The decision to take both the ACT and SAT depends on your specific academic strengths. To make the most of your scores, consider potential advantages you might have by taking one test over the other.
Which Test Should I Take?
- If your math skills (particularly in trigonometry) are more advanced.
- If your grammar and punctuation skills are advanced.
- If you have an easier time with multiple-choice math problems.
You should take the ACT.
If you are still unsure which test is right for you, the Princeton Review offers a free quiz that can help.
PSAT
The PSAT, or Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test, is a shortened version of the SAT, which students typically take in 10th or 11th grade. Also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, the PSAT allows you to practice for the SAT and gain National Merit distinction.
PSAT Overview
AP Tests
Advanced Placement (AP) tests are college-level assessments students can take after completing the relevant high school course. The College Board provides over 35 AP options, including music theory, English literature and composition, statistics, Chinese language and culture, and environmental science.
By earning a high score on an AP test, you can gain college credit, which helps save time and money in the long run.
AP Tests Overview
CLEP Exams
The College-Level Examination Program was launched in 1967 as a way for military personnel and adult learners to obtain degrees while maintaining work and family responsibilities. Today, any individual can take one of 34 CLEP exams to earn college credit at more than 2,900 postsecondary schools in the United States.
CLEP Overview
TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a common entrance exam that non-native speakers must take to attend colleges and universities in English-speaking countries. You may also need to submit TOEFL scores when applying for study abroad programs or international employment. Rather than testing conversational/casual English, the TOEFL assesses a student’s competencies in formal, academic language and college-level vocabulary.
TOEFL Overview
Do All Colleges Require Entrance Exams?
Entrance exams like the ACT and SAT provide streamlined and data-supported means for colleges and universities to evaluate your academic capabilities. However, higher education increasingly eschew standardized testing, opting for more holistic methods of student evaluation. This opt-out movement continues to gain momentum as concerns over the effectiveness and equity of college entrance exams grow.
Students who want to bypass standardized testing often enjoy a variety of options.
Today, students who want to bypass standardized testing often enjoy a variety of options. To recruit a diverse array of learners, online colleges generally do not require entrance exams. Learners who want to enroll in campus-based programs should seek out test-flexible schools. In lieu of test scores, these institutions may allow applicants to prove academic preparedness through factors like professional experience and leadership accomplishments.
Online Test Taking
Many entrance exams, including the SAT and CLEP, allow students to complete the entire test on a computer at a designated location. Online test taking will continue to evolve as these companies seek to decrease operational costs by eliminating the need for testing centers and on-site proctors.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, standardized test companies are scrambling to provide remote options. The College Board is currently working on several online SAT tests, although they have decided to delay plans for an at-home digital SAT. However, the ACT still plans to let students take the test at home should widespread quarantine measures remain in effect in the fall of 2020.
Adaptive Test Taking
Sometime in the future, college entrance exams may move toward computerized adaptive testing. The quantitative and verbal sections of the GMAT and GRE already use adaptive testing.
With adaptive testing, each student essentially takes a different test.
With adaptive testing, each student essentially takes a different test. Every answer a student provides influences the subsequent question. If an answer is correct, then the test moves on to a more challenging set of questions. Alternatively, if an answer is wrong, the test holds off on asking the student harder questions.
Adaptive testing can better gauge a student’s abilities. Each student’s final score measures not only their correct answers, but also the particular items the student answered right or wrong.
Given that adaptive testing bases the next question on the previous answer, a student cannot skip or bookmark a question and return to it later. When students are stumped on a question, they should take time to figure out the answer. While a quick guess could end up being correct, it could also lead to more difficult questions.
How to Study for College Entrance Exams
To prepare for college entrance exams, you can use a variety of tools, many of which are free. Check for resources in your community, especially at local libraries where you can borrow ACT and SAT prep books. High schools benefit from their students’ strong performance on standardized tests and often provide review sessions and peer tutoring.
Websites like Khan Academy and Test Prep Practice enable you to access tutorials, tips, and practice tests online. You can also access free practice tests through the College Board’s website and other official test sites. If you want to pay for dedicated support, popular test prep companies include The Princeton Review and Kaplan.
What to Expect on Test Day
The following section covers a few tips you should follow to effectively prepare for test day, including what to do the night before and what to bring the day of.
Things to Bring With You
Printed admission ticket and photo ID- Approved calculator
- Two No. 2 pencils
- Water and snacks
Things to Leave at Home
Cell phones- Unapproved calculator
- Highlighters and colored pens
- Books, pamphlets, dictionaries, and other prohibited materials
Test Day Schedule
Planning ahead for your exam is very important. Following a detailed itinerary for your test day (beginning with the night before) can help you alleviate stress and head into the exam with confidence. We have included a model schedule below to help you plan for your exam.
The Night Before
A good night’s rest is essential before you take your exam. Sufficient sleep is linked to focus, energy, stamina, and cognitive abilities. Ideally, you will have studied for weeks leading up to the testing date and you will not need to cram the night before your exam. Be confident in your exam prep and try to relax the evening before your exam.
Dos
- Go to bed at a reasonable time
- Set at least one alarm
- Relax
- Get everything organized the night before
Don’ts
- Stay up late
- Take sleeping aids (unless part of your normal routine)
- Study for the exam
- Wait until the morning to get organized
Morning of the Test
If you have organized everything (e.g., clothing, car keys, and directions to the testing center) the night before your exam, then the morning of your test should be fairly relaxed. Check all of your testing equipment before you leave the house. Eat a well-balanced meal that will not upset your stomach and limit your coffee intake; caffeine can cause added anxiety.
Dos
- Get up at a reasonable hour
- Check your exam materials
- Eat a healthy breakfast and limit your caffeine
- Relax and leave the house with enough time to arrive at the testing center a few minutes early
Don’ts
- Get up too early
- Leave the house without ensuring your materials are in working order
- Eat or drink anything you don’t normally consume
- Cram or leave the house without sufficient travel time
Upon Arrival
Plan to arrive at the test site by 8 a.m. at the latest. Once you arrive, present your admission ticket and (if applicable) ask where you can store your bags. Wait to be seated by a test supervisor. The test will begin between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. The test supervisor will give verbal instructions once it is time to get started.
After the Test
Congratulations! Do not overthink your performance. Follow the test coordinator’s instructions, pack up your belongings, and head home (or out to celebrate). Be sure to check your online account in the days following your exam to see if your scores have been posted, and contact the testing organization if you think there might be an error or discrepancy with your results.
Comparing Scores
On top of your cumulative score (1-36 on the ACT and 400-1600 on the SAT), you should figure out your percentile rank among your test-taking cohort when determining your overall performance. The College Board offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and comparing your score. The ACT also publishes reports to help you analyze your performance in relation to your peers.
In general, you want to score in the upper end of your prospective school’s percentiles. Most colleges publish a 25th-75th range to reflect the test score distribution of the incoming class. Half of the admitted students scored between these two numbers, while 25% scored above and 25% scored below.
Should I Retake My Exam?
You can retake any of the exams discussed in this guide, although there may be some restrictions regarding how often you can retake a test within a period of time. For example, you cannot take the TOEFL more than once within a three-day period.
The College Board recommends that you take the SAT at least twice, planning carefully around deadlines.
Students who retake a standardized exam generally perform better on their second try because they have experience with the content and test-taking process. Because retakes are common, colleges and universities almost always use your best scores. Some schools even practice superscoring, taking the best results from individual test sections, even if they were earned on different dates.
Explore More College Resources
How to Choose Your College Class Schedule
Learn how to create the best class schedule each semester by considering important academic and nonacademic factors.
by Steve Bailey
Updated March 22, 2023
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Student: What’s the Difference?
Discover the challenges and opportunities full-time vs. part-time students face and get tips on which college experience is right for you.
by Marisa Upson
Updated October 12, 2023
Summer Semester: When Does It Start? And Should You Enroll?
School’s out — or, rather, in — for summer. Discover the pros and cons of enrolling in an optional summer semester in college.
by Anne Dennon
Updated March 20, 2023