ACT® and SAT® Study Guide
About the Tests
ACT SAT
Length 3 hours, 5 minutes 3 hours, 15 minutes
English Test Reading Test
Math Test Writing and Language Test
Sections Reading Test Math Test—No Calculator
Science Test Math Test—Calculator
Optional Writing Test (essay) Optional Essay
1–36 composite score
400–1600 composite score
1–36 scores for the
Scores 200–800 section scores
4 required Tests
2–8 scores for the essay
2–12 scores for the Writing Test
Tips for the SAT & ACT:
Neither test has a wrong answer penalty. Answer every question—don’t leave anything blank.
Triage every section:
1. Start with the questions you know how to answer easily and quickly
2. Skip questions that you are unsure about or take up too much time by circling them. Come
back to them only after you have finished all the questions you know in that section (or on
that passage).
3. Put an X next to any questions you don’t understand or don’t remember how to do. Return
to them only if you have extra time. Otherwise, enter your Letter of the Day as your answer.
Use elimination if you have time and can’t figure out a question. Even if you still guess, you’re more
likely to get a question correct when choosing from 2 or 3 choices rather than 4.
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Use a calendar to make a study schedule.
1. Write in all of your non-test commitments first: school, work, sports, and any other scheduled
outings with friends, etc.
2. Write in your test prep class times.
3. Select your break day (i.e., the day you take completely off from studying for the test).
4. Finally, in the other days, write in blocks of time to tackle the test.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
7am
8am
School School School School School
9am
Work
10am
11am
12pm
1pm
2pm
SAT studying
3pm
*SAT CLASS*
Practice homework Practice
4pm
5pm
Work Work
6pm
GAMEDAY
7pm homework
Movie Night
8pm SAT studying
homework
9pm
SAT studying
10pm homework
11pm
If you haven’t taken a practice test in the past two weeks, do that first.
If you only have a week or two to study, focus on your strengths.
- Review common math concepts, such as slope-intercept form.
- Review basic punctuation rules.
- Review the Reading passage types and determine your personal passage order for test day.
If you have three or more weeks, focus on your areas of opportunity.
- Determine which section(s) you need to improve and how many points you need to reach
your goal score.
- Identify which three topics are the most important in your lowest scoring section and start
reviewing them.
- Take practice tests at regular intervals to track your progress and help you adjust your plan.
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Reading
ACT SAT
Length 35 minutes 65 minutes
Number of 40 questions 52 questions
Questions Multiple choice, 4 choices Multiple choice, 4 choices
Literary Narrative/Prose Fiction
U.S. and World Literature
Passage Social Science
History/Social Studies
Types Humanities
Science
Natural Science
About half the time as the SAT Command of Evidence questions relate
section but only 12 fewer to previous question (“Which choice
Notable
questions, so there is much provides the best evidence for the
Distinctions
less time per passage and answer to the previous question?”) with
question set. line references as answer choices.
Kaplan Method for Reading:
Read the passage
and take notes Predict an answer
Examine the
question stem
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Tips for Reading:
When you see a line reference, go back to the passage and read a little before and after. Then,
eliminate any details that are from the wrong part of the passage.
When you are in between 2 or 3 answer choices, look for clues to help you eliminate incorrect
answers. Even when you have no idea, you should guess.
Avoid answer choices with extreme language like “always,” “never,” “best,” and “worst.” These are
incorrect when they go beyond the author’s beliefs in the passage.
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English/Writing and Language
ACT SAT
Length 45 minutes 35 minutes
Number of 75 questions 44 questions
Questions Multiple choice, 4 choices Multiple choice, 4 choices
Command of Evidence
Conventions of Standard English Words in Context
Production of Writing Analysis in History/Social Studies
Skills
Knowledge of Language Expression of Ideas
Standard English Conventions
Includes 10 more minutes Includes infographics that must
Notable
but 31 more questions be interpreted to answer the
Distinctions
than the SAT. question correctly.
Kaplan Method for English/Writing & Language:
Read the passage and Plug in the
identify the issue remaining choices,
and select the most
Eliminate answer clear and concise.
choices that do not
address the issue
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You should
When you see… Ask yourself...
suspect…
Are there two independent clauses?
a comma underlined a run-on issue
Are they properly combined?
Is the –ing verb being used as the
an –ing verb underlined a fragment issue
main verb in the sentence?
a series, list, or com- Are all of the items in the series or
a parallelism issue
pound underlined list in the same form?
an adjective or adverb What word is being modified? Is
a modifier issue
underlined the adverb or adjective correct?
a connecting or
What is the relationship
relationship word a connections issue
between the ideas?
underlined
Tips for Punctuation:
The 4 ways commas are tested:
1. To set off 3 or more items in a series or list
2. To separate independent clauses connected by a FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
conjunction
3. To separate an introductory phrase from the rest of the sentence
4. To separate non-essential information from the rest of the sentence
The 2 ways semicolons are tested:
1. To join two independent clauses when a FANBOYS word is not present
2. To separate items in a series or list if those items already include commas
The only way a colon is tested:
1. To introduce and/or emphasize a short phrase, quotation, explanation, example, or list
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Math
ACT SAT- no calculator SAT- calculator
Length 60 minutes 25 minutes 55 minutes
38 questions
Number of 60 questions 20 questions Multiple
Multiple choice, 4
Questions Multiple choice, 5 choices choice, 4 choices, and
choices, and grid-in
grid-in
Number & Quantity
Heart of Algebra
Algebra
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
Functions
Topics Passport to Advanced Math
Geometry
Additional Topics in Math
Statistics & Probability
Generally less wordy Both sections include grid-in
Notable than SAT math questions. These questions require you
Distinctions questions. Everyday to generate your own answer as opposed
formulas not provided. to choosing from 4 options.
Kaplan Method for Math:
What can I do with
What is the
the information?
question?
What information Am I finished?
am I given?
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Tips for Math formulas:
The DIRT formula can help you with most questions involving rates.
DIRT Distance Is Rate × Time d = rt DISTANCE
The rate is always something per something. RATE TIME
The time unit should match the rate unit.
The distance is whatever is being measured.
Imaginary numbers follow a pattern. Use the exponent to help you figure out the value of in :
i1 = i Everything to the first power is itself = i
i2 = ixi = √-1 x √-1 = -1
i3 = -1 x i = -1 x √-1 = -i
i4 = -(i x i) = -1 x -1 = 1
Is n a multiple of 4? Then the value is 1.
If it’s not a multiple of 4,use the remainder in the pattern above.
When a test question mentions the word average, write out the average formula:
average = (sum of terms)/(number of terms)
Plug in the values you are given. Often, just thinking about the information in this setup will help
you decide what to do next.
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Science - ACT only
ACT ONLY
Length 35 minutes
40 questions
Number of Questions
Multiple choice, 5 choices
Data Representation
Passage Research Summaries
Formats Conflicting Viewpoints
The data representation passages and questions rely more on
Notable the graphs and tables than the passages. Be sure to read the
Distinctions Research Summaries or Conflicting Viewpoint passages
strategically before the questions.
Kaplan Method for Science:
Read the passage and Find support for the
highlight key details answer in the passage
Examine the figures
provided
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Tips for Science:
Very little science knowledge is required. Use the information given to you in the passage. Don’t
jump to any conclusions that are outside the scope of the passage.
You’re able to work through the passages in any order. Start with the ones you are most com-
fortable with, and save the trickier ones for last.
You can often answer the data interpretation questions without using the passage at all. Don’t
waste time reading anything you don’t need.
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Essay/Writing
ACT SAT
Length 40 minutes 50 minutes
Write an explanation of how the
Evaluate multiple perspectives author of a persuasive text builds
Task
regarding a current issue her argument, citing specific
examples from the text.
The specific position you take is
not the important part. You don’t Most similar to an AP Language and
have to address all three per- Composition rhetorical analysis essay.
Notable
spectives to get a strong score, Having 5–6 rhetorical devices in mind
Distinctions
but you must demonstrate the will help you plan and write a better
ability to analyze multiple posi- essay.
tions on a topic.
Do I need to take the essay?
Some schools do require you to submit an essay score with your SAT and ACT scores, but not all
do. If you are unsure, we recommend taking the test with essay at least once. You can find a list
of schools that require an essay score for SAT and ACT.
The Kaplan Method for Writing/Essay:
Read the prompt, and mentally Write the essay. Focus on clarity
summarize the task. and precise word choice.
Make a plan. Outline your Proofread your essay. Read
introduction, body paragraphs, through your essay fixing spelling,
and conclusion. grammar, and other errors.
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Essay Tips :
You can still achieve a high score even with small errors. Focus on the most important pieces like
your thesis and supporting evidence.
Make sure to answer the question. An off-topic essay will receive a very low score, even if it’s
written well.
Use your time wisely. It’s important to plan your paragraphs in advance, but the majority of your
time should be spent writing. Save at least 2-3 minute for proofreading to catch errors.
Looking for more college information?
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SAT® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not
endorse, this product. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc.
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