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Wappingers Central School District

25 Corporate Park Drive / P.O. Box 396 / Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 / PH: 845.298.5000

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  2. Graduation & Beyond: Requirements, Future Planning
  3. College Entrance Exams
  4. ACT

ACT

American College Test (ACT)

  • The ACT stands for “American College Test”. It is a standardized test that determines a high school graduate's preparedness for college. It covers five areas: Math, English, Reading, Writing and Science.

    The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT or ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.

  • All college-bound juniors should take the ACT or the SAT, typically in the spring.

    • For John Jay Students: Register for ACTs at the ACT Registration Site: Use Test Center Code: 264470 (RCK), John Jay CEEB Code: 332458
    • For Roy C Ketcham Students: Register for ACTs at the ACT Registration Site:  Use Test Center Code: 246470 (RCK), Roy C Ketcham CEEB Code: 335770

    *CEEB = College Entrance Exam Board

    ACT Test Prep:

ACT / SAT Comparison Chart:

 

SAT

ACT
Why Take It

Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.

Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
Test Structure 

  • Reading

  • Writing & Language

  • Math

  • English

  • Math

  • Reading

  • Science Reasoning

  • Essay (Optional)
Length

  • 3 hours

  • 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)

  • 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)
Reading

5 reading passages

4 reading passages
Science

None

1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge)
Math Covers:

  • Arithmetic

  • Algebra I & II

  • Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis

 Covers:

  • Arithmetic

  • Algebra I & II

  • Geometry, Trigonometry, and Probability & Statistics
Calculator Policy

Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator.

You can use a calculator on all math questions.
Essays

None

Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues.
How It's Scored

Scored on a scale of 400–1600

Scored on a scale of 1–36