2. SAT vs.ACT - General
Format SAT ACT
Length 3 hours, 50 mins (including
optional 50 minute essay)
3 hours, 35 mins (including optional
40 minute essay)
Structure 4 Sections (Evidence-
Based Reading,Writing,
Math without calc., Math
with calc.)
4 Sections (English, Math, Reading,
Science) + Optional Essay.
Scoring SAT ACT
Score Out of 1600. 800 for Math
and 800 for Reading+Writing.
Optional Essay receives
separate score, and
subscores/ insight scores are
available. No guessing penalty.
Composite score on a scale of
1-36 (average of all sections).
Essay contributes to ELA score.
No guessing penalty.
Reporting
Scores
You decide which full score(s)
to send
You decide which full score(s) to
send
3. SAT vs.ACT- Content
SAT ACT
Critical
Reading
More vocabulary, evidence
gathering
More basic fact, less inference
Math
Until end of Algebra II (including
Trigonometry). Increased focus
on Data Analysis and Algebraic
thinking.
Until end of Algebra II. Few topics
appear on ACT that do not on the
SAT (all of conics, matrices, etc.).
Scope more broadly distributed.
Writing
More word usage questions,
bigger scope of grammar rules,
~50% of rhetoric questions.
Lesser scope of grammar rules tested,
less rhetoric questions percentage
than SAT, more questions and
repetition.
Science
Not tested, but Insight Score for
Science is provided.
Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation, and
Problem Solving.
Essay
Read passage and explain
authors argument
Analyze 3 perspectivesà state your
own
4. MEK SAT Program – How Effective?
— MEK Way
◦ Dedicated and highly-trained instructors
◦ Emphasis on student’s goals
◦ Analysis of each student’s character and
weakness
◦ Fostering and rigorous environment with high
expectations
◦ Emphasis on the development of study skills
and work ethic; within and outside of MEK.
6. MEK SAT- Analysis
— 114 students committed themselves for MEK Summer SAT
program.
◦ 7 week, daily course designed to introduce, instill and
reinforce the MEK philosophy to support score
progression.
— Custom designed SAT materials and daily structure.
— Initial evaluation scores ranged from 1000-2100 (class
placement and strategy to support all levels)
Semester # of Students
Summer Only 38
Summer + Fall 76
Fall Only 38
Total 152
10. Fall planning: the key to consistency
— No official test offered in summer.
— Fall time introduces many new variables, most of which work to
negatively affect the score gains from summer if not handled
correctly.
Eval: 1850+
Critical Reading Math Writing Total
Summer Super 742 760 702 2203
Fall Peak 765 788 738 2250
Eval: 1600-1850
Summer Super 713 751 662 2126
Fall Peak 679 772 660 2075
Eval: 1400-1600
Summer Super 632 675 591 1898
Fall Peak 633 737 630 1907
Eval: <1400
Summer Super 521 615 507 1643
Fall Peak 560 628 508 1670
11. Official SAT Result Analysis
663
748
711
764
594
757
CR, Eval CR, Official M, Eval M, Official W, Eval W, Official
Eval. vs. Official: 1850+
581
689
653
744
513
693
CR, Eval CR, Official M, Eval M, Official W, Eval W, Official
Eval. vs. Official: 1600-1850
12. 513
667
558
676
443
666
CR, Eval CR, Official M, Eval M, Official W, Eval W, Official
Eval. vs. Official: 1400-1600
474
595
498
700
372
620
CR, Eval CR, Official M, Eval M, Official W, Eval W, Official
Eval. vs. Official: <1400
15. MEK Winning Strategy
— SAT skills for training and use ACT score
for application
— SAT content foundation translates well to
ACT demands
◦ SAT’s demand for some skills at a more
rigorous level than ACT
◦ Short prep duration- foundation is laid!
◦ Colleges accept either score!
◦ Put your best foot forward
16. SAT à ACT Data
— Starting Point (Official SAT)
— Ending Point (ACT)
Subject CR M W T
Score 671 723 721 2094
Subject English Math Reading Composite
Score 33 33 32 33
17. How much did it help?
SAT Score ACT Score ACT Score’s SAT Equiv. Change
Critical Reading 671 32 720 ~49
Math 723 33 740 ~17
Writing 721 33 740 ~19
Total 2094 33 2210~2250 ~116-156
49
17 19
136
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
CR M W T
Projected Gains
18. Official SAT Score: 2200+
Avg. Official SAT Avg. Official ACT SAT Conversion Projected Gain
2273 35 2300~2350 27~77
Official SAT Score: 2100-2200
Avg. Official SAT Avg. Official ACT SAT Conversion Projected Gain
2128 33 2210~2250 82~122
Official SAT Score: <2100
Avg. Official SAT Avg. Official ACT SAT Conversion Projected Gain
1982 31 2110~2140 128~158
52
102
143 136
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2200+ 2100-2200 <2100 Overall
Gains vs. Official SAT Range
19. Case Study 1- Daniel Jeon
Daniel Jeon (12)
SAT Evaluation 1750
SAT Official 2040
ACT Prep. Duration 5 sessions, 7 practice tests
ACT Official 34
Acquired Gain 240 points
20. Case Study 2- Amanda Lew
Amanda Lew (11)
SAT Evaluation 1460
SAT Official 1830
ACT Prep. Duration 8 sessions, 8 practice tests
ACT Official 30
Acquired Gain 220 points
21. Case Study 3- Brian Chung
Brian Chung (11)
SAT Evaluation 1790
SAT Official 2290
ACT Prep. Duration 3 day special program- 4 full length tests
ACT Official 36
Acquired Gain 90
22. What’s my winning Strategy?
— Supplementing ACT after SAT is the
proven way to put your best foot forward
— Taking the ACT, SAT, or SAT and ACT dual
programs depends on a few factors
◦ Initial Evaluation
◦ Performance
◦ School grades (GPA), performance in different
subjects
◦ Motivation/ Work Ethic/ Desire
23. Core Requirements for Success
Score
Improvement
Content
Motivation
and
Confidence
Work
Ethic and
Study
Habits
Practice