Most of the college-bound students at Individual Dimensions take both the SAT and the ACT. A student should focus on one test at a time since the structure of each test is different. Much of the content of the two tests is similar, but the way in which the questions are presented differs.
Both tests are timed and long (some students say that they both seem to go on FOREVER). The SAT requires more critical thinking, and the ACT requires more speed in answering the questions. There is a penalty for guessing on the SAT, but no such penalty exists on the ACT.
Similarities in content are as follows:
| SAT: | | ACT: | |
| | | | |
| Mathematics | | Mathematics (includes higher level content) | |
| | | | |
| Critical Reading (includes vocabulary and critical thinking) | | Reading (includes more passages in a shorter time period) | |
| | | | |
| Writing (grammar & sentence structure) | | English (grammar, sentence structure & mechanics) | |
| | | | |
| Essay | | Essay | |
Major difference in content: The ACT has ONE additional content area... Science Reasoning.
One of our teachers, Mr. Dick Cahoon, has developed a method for breaking down the Science Reasoning section and making it more direct. His strategies have allowed his students to save time and to be more efficient. Students have greatly improved their scores on this section.
The next SAT testing dates are May 7th and June 4th.
The next ACT testing dates are April 9th and June 11th.
There are many other apps for the SAT, however, many of which you need to pay for, by 3rd party vendors. Many are specialized to one part of the SAT, such as grammar, or algebra. 
