SAT & ACT Information

This page will provide you with information and test dates for the SATs and ACTs. For more information and to register for the tests please visit:

ACT- www.act.org
SAT- www.collegeboard.com
  • Please check with each college to determine which test scores they will accept.
  • Both the SAT & ACT provide test fee waivers for qualified students. If you are eligible for a fee waiver or would like to know if you qualify, please see your guidance counselor. Please do this before registering for the tests.
What is the ACT? The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.

The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests plus a 30-minute Writing Test.

ACT results are accepted by all 4-year colleges and universities in the U.S.

The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, including a short break (or just over four hours if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing).

The ACT is administered on six test dates within the 50 United States and District of Columbia - in September, October, December, February, April, and June.

The basic registration fee includes score reports for up to four college choices, if you list valid codes when you register.

What is the difference between the ACT and SAT?
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school.
The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.

The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the college(s) you're applying to.

The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.

The ACT has an Interest Inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options.

ACT Test Date                Registration Deadline        Late Fee Required   
Sept 12, 2009 Aug 7, 2009 Aug 8 - 21, 2009
October 24, 2009 Sept 18, 2009 Sept 19 - Oct 2, 09
Dec 12, 2009 Nov 6, 2009 Nov 7 - 20, 2009
February 6, 2010** January 5, 2010 Jan 6 - 15, 2010
April 10, 2010 March 5, 2010 March 6 - 19, 2010
June 12, 2010 May 7, 2010 May 8 - 21, 2010


What is the SAT?
The SAT is the nation's most widely used admissions test among colleges and universities. It tests students' knowledge of subjects that are necessary for college success: reading, writing, and mathematics.

The SAT assesses the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college - skills that students learned in high school.
The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. It tells students how well they use the skills and knowledge they have attained in and outside of the classroom - including how they think, solve problems, and communicate. The SAT is an important resource for colleges. It's also one of the best predictors of how well students will do in college.

Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800, with two writing subscores for multiple-choice questions and the essay. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S. and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, and six times a year overseas.

SAT Question Types
The SAT includes several different question types, including: a student-produced essay, multiple-choice questions, and student-produced responses (grid-ins). The sections are: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing.

Test Order
The SAT is comprised of 10 total testing sections. The first section is always a 25-minute essay, and the last section is always a 10-minute multiple-choice writing section. Sections two through seven are 25-minute sections. Sections eight and nine are 20-minute sections. Test-takers sitting next to each other in the same session may have test books with entirely different content orders for sections two through nine (mathematics, critical reading, and writing).

SAT Test Dates             Registration Deadline
October 10, 2009 September 9, 2009
November 7, 2009 October 1, 2009
December 5, 2009 October 30, 2009
January 23, 2010 December 15, 2009
March 13, 2010 February 4, 2010
May 1, 2010 March 25, 2010
June 5, 2010 April 29, 2010