ACT & SAT

ACT Prep: What to Avoid on the Writing Section

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

Ah, the “optional” writing test on the ACT. 40 minutes of attempting to write a cohesive essay after every teacher you’ve ever had has said, “You can’t write a good essay overnight.” It’s difficult, true, but your essay doesn’t have to be the best you’ve ever written. Here are some mistakes you’ll want to avoid …

ACT & SAT

Mistakes to Avoid on the SAT: Reading Section

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Sometimes it helps to know mistakes you should avoid when it comes to exams. Here are some things you will want to try to look for or remember when you’re on the Reading Section of the SAT. Being Careless With Time Management Time management is necessary for any portion of the SAT, but it is …

ACT & SAT

Standardized Test Taking Strategies To Use On The ACT/SAT

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

SAT and ACT scores are a big stressor for high school students. You want to do well and show the college of your dreams you are ready to take on new challenges but you’ve done a few practice tests and they were unnerving, to say the least. If you’re worried about your upcoming test, here …

ACT & SAT

Why Your ACT/SAT Test Scores Matter for College Admissions

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 18, 2025

Key Takeaways: A majority of colleges and universities still require ACT or SAT scores from applicants. Even if your school is test-optional, sitting for the exams can give you a competitive edge. ACT/SAT scores can also impact scholarship opportunities, course selection, and more. While some colleges have gone test-optional in recent years, a majority of …

ACT & SAT

3 Mistakes To Avoid On The SAT Math Section

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

All students, whether they are good or bad in high school math, can make the same mistakes on the SAT math section. These are some of the common mistakes that all students tend to make and how you can avoid them. Mistake #1: Not Writing Out All Of The Steps Writing out all the steps …

ACT & SAT

SAT Section Advice: Reading

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

While the SAT creators say that the new test has the same amount of words as the old, outside analysts argue that the context of those words has changed. Some math problems have more reading than the old ones. The reading passages have increased in length, and there is much more focus on gaining information …

ACT & SAT

What is ACT WorkKeys?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

ACT WorkKeys is a unique skill assessment system. It measures various job-related foundational and soft skills, crucial to success in the workplace. Students and job-seekers, as well as experienced professionals, can use the ACT WorkKeys test to assess their own skills and get a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. They can then use …

ACT & SAT

What Did the First ACT Test Look Like?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

As far as standardized tests go, nothing much has changed about the ACT since its conception. The test has always been composed of four sections. The sections when the test first rolled out in 1959 were English, mathematics, social studies, and natural science. The ACT has always been an achievement test—a study of what you …

ACT & SAT

What Was the First SAT Like?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Over 90 years ago, college-bound students worried about their SAT, just like you how you worried about your SAT.  Back in 1926, students knew the SAT as the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Evolved from the 1901 essay exams and original IQ tests, the SAT tested your knowledge before college. It also made the application process and …

ACT & SAT

ACT & SAT Score Conversion Chart

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Say you got a 25 on the ACT—ever wonder how that would translate to an SAT score? Despite their many similarities, when you take the ACT or SAT, you’ll find out that they are still two very different tests. One of their primary differences centers around how it’s scored. So while there is a grand …