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ACT

August 31, 2011

General Information

The ACT is a college entrance exam administered by ACT, Inc. It consists of five sections: English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, and Writing.

The ACT launched changes in April 2025. The test is now available in two formats: ACT Online Testing (digital ACT) and Paper-and-Pencil Testing (traditional format). The online test offers more flexibility and choice; it’s also shorter and allows for more time to respond to each question. This timing benefit will be extended to the paper-and-pencil testing format beginning in September 2025.

The changes, immediately available with online testing, include:

Reduced number of questions (44 fewer items overall)
Shortened test time (2 hours 5 minutes is the shortest pathway, making it potentially shorter than the dSAT at 2 hours 14 minutes; this pathway would require opting out of the science section AND the writing section, which we generally do NOT recommend for most of our students)
More time per questions
Reduced answer choices for math questions (4 choices instead of 5)
Science section is now optional; the writing section remains optional

Format and Content

Below we’ve described the format and content for each of the testing options: Paper-and-Pencil Testing and Online Testing.

ACT Paper-and-Pencil Test

SECTION # & LENGTH	SUBJECT	QUESTION TYPE	# of QUESTIONS
1 - 45 min	English	Usage, Mechanics, Rhetorical Skills	75 MC³ questions (7 reading passages)
2 - 60 min	Math¹	Primary topics: Arithmetic, Algebra I and II, Geometry, Data Analysis	60 MC questions
3 - 35 min	Reading	4 Passages: 1 Prose Fiction, 1 Social Science, 1 Humanities, 1 Natural Science	40 MC questions (10 questions per passage)
4 - 35 min	Science²	Interpret Charts and Graphs	15 MC questions (3 reading passages)
4 - 35 min	Science²	Examine Experimental Results	18 MC questions (3 reading passages)
4 - 35 min	Science²	Compare Conflicting Hypotheses	7 MC questions (1 reading passage)
5* - 40 min	Writing (optional)	Essay Question	1 essay based on a given prompt

¹ It is NOT specifically designated how many questions will test each math topic, but the content tested is always the same. The primary topics tested are arithmetic, algebra I and II, geometry, and data analysis. Calculators are permitted.
² Calculators are NOT permitted for the Science Reasoning section.
³ Multiple choice.

ACT Online Testing (Digital ACT)


SECTION # & LENGTH	SUBJECT	QUESTION TYPE	# of QUESTIONS
1 - 35 min	English	Usage, Mechanics, Rhetorical Skills	50 MC³ questions (7 reading passages)
2 - 50 min	Math¹	Primary topics: Arithmetic, Algebra I and II, Geometry, Data Analysis	45 MC questions
3 - 40 min	Reading	4 Passages: 1 Prose Fiction, 1 Social Science, 1 Humanities, 1 Natural Science	36 MC questions (10 questions per passage)
4 - 40 min	Science² (Optional)⁴	Interpret Charts and Graphs, Examine Experimental Results, Compare Conflicting Hypotheses	40 MC questions (6-7 reading passages)
5* - 40 min	Writing (Optional)	Essay Question	1 essay based on a given prompt

Total length with standard time

ACT Paper-and-Pencil Test:

3 hours and 35 minutes with Writing
2 hours and 55 minutes without Writing

ACT Online Test (Digital Test):

2 hours and 5 minutes without Science or Writing
2 hours and 45 minutes with Science but without Writing
3 hours and 25 minutes with Science AND Writing

Total length with 50% extended time

ACT Paper-and-Pencil Test:

5 hours and 23 minutes with Writing
4 hours and 23 minutes without Writing

ACT Online Test (Digital Test):

3 hours and 8 minutes without Science or Writing
4 hours and 8 minutes with Science but without Writing
5 hours and 8 minutes with Science AND Writing

Scoring

Students receive a score between 1 and 36 for each section other than the Writing section. The Writing section is scored out of 12. A composite score out of 36 is calculated by averaging the four section scores. There is NO wrong answer penalty on the ACT, so a student should never leave a question blank.

2025-2026 Testing Schedule

July 12, 2025 (registration deadline is 6/6/25; late registration deadline is 6/20/25)*
September 6, 2025 (registration deadline is 8/1/25; late registration deadline is 8/19/25)
October 18, 2025 (registration deadline is 9/12/25; late registration deadline is 9/30/25)**
December 13, 2024 (registration deadline is 11/7/25; late registration deadline is 11/24/25)
February 14, 2026 (registration deadline is 1/9/26; late registration deadline is 1/23/26)
April 11, 2025 (registration deadline is 3/6/26; late registration deadline is 3/24/26)**
June 13, 2026 (registration deadline is 5/8/26; late registration deadline is 5/29/26)**
July 11, 2026 (registration deadline is 6/5/26; late registration deadline is 6/24/26)*

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.

**ACT My Answer Key is available for purchase for these test dates.

Cost

Registration for English, Math, and Reading Sections: $65
Science Add-On Fee: $4
Writing Add-On Fee: $25
Total Registration Fee (inclusive of all 5 sections): $94
Late Registration: $38
Change Fee: $44
ACT My Answer Key: $34 if the order is placed before the test begins; $42 if the order is placed after the test.

Registration Site/Additional Information

Visit the official ACT website to register and learn more.
View a comparison of the current SAT and ACT tests.

Comparing College Admissions Tests | ACT or SAT

August 30, 2011

Below is a chart comparing college admissions tests and summarizing key differences between the SAT and ACT. For a more complete description of the differences between these two tests, read our blog post, College Admissions Test Preparation | ACT or SAT.


	ACT	SAT
Scoring	Four subjects each scored out of 36 plus an optional essay scored out of 12; composite score out of 36.	Two subjects each scored from 200-800 with a cumulative score between 400-1600; optional essay scored 2-8 on 3 different dimensions (reading, analysis, writing); 3 writing scores are not added together.
Length	2 hours and 55 minutes without optional writing section. 3 hours and 25 minutes with optional writing section.	3 hours without optional writing section. 3 hours and 50 minutes with optional writing section.
Format	4 sections plus essay (between 35 and 60 minutes) comprised of English, Math, Reading, Science, and optional essay.	4 sections plus essay (between 25 and 65 minutes) comprised of Reading, Writing and Language, Math No Calculator, Math Calculator, and optional essay.
Wrong answer penalty	No, never leave a question blank.	No, never leave a question blank.
Experimental Section	No, every section counts.	No, every section counts.
Science Reasoning Section	Yes, the science reasoning section on the ACT is very different from anything on the SAT.	No specific science reasoning section, but science reasoning tested across the Math and Reading and Writing sections.
Math Content	Content similar to SAT. Can use calculator on all math sections. All multiple choice (no grid-ins).	Content similar to ACT. One 20-question no-calculator section and 13 grid-in questions, 47 multiple choice questions.
Math Formulas	There are no formulas given.	There are 14 geometry formulas/facts given for reference at the beginning of every math section.
Timing	The ACT is faster paced and benefits students who push through questions quickly (unless there's an extended time accommodation)	The SAT provides a less intense pacing experience than the ACT.
Essay	Optional. The essay portion of the ACT is technically optional. However, many institutions require it or prefer it in the admissions process.	Optional. The essay portion of the SAT is technically optional. However, many institutions require it or prefer it in the admissions process.
Vocabulary	Similar level of difficulty as on the SAT.	Similar level of difficulty as on the ACT.
Admissions	While at one point certain schools may have preferred or tended to accept one test more than the other, both are now accepted and treated equally at most institutions.	While at one point certain schools may have preferred or tended to accept one test more than the other, both are now accepted and treated equally at most institutions.
Reading	5 passages in 65 minutes; includes science reasoning passages.	4 passages in 35 minutes; does not include science reasoning passages since there is a dedicated Science section.

Last edited Oct 8, 2017 @ 7:19 pm

SSAT

August 23, 2011

General Information

The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is an admissions test for private middle and high schools. It is typically required by boarding schools.

There are three versions of the test:

Elementary Level for students applying to grades 4 and 5. This test is offered two ways: 1) paper-based testing on standard of flex dates, and 2) flex testing with an approved educational consultant.
Middle Level for students applying to grades 6-8. This test is offered three ways: 1) computer-based SSAT at home, 2) computer-based testing at a Prometric Test Center, and 3) paper-based testing on standard of flex dates.
Upper Level for students applying to grades 9-12. This test is offered three ways: 1) computer-based SSAT at home, 2) computer-based testing at a Prometric Test Center, and 3) paper-based testing on standard of flex dates.

Elementary Level SSAT Format and Content

Section		Subject	Question Type	# of Questions
#	Length	Subject	Question Type	# of Questions
1	30 minutes	Quantitative/Math¹	Multiple-choice: numbers, concepts, operations, algebra, geometry	30 MC³ questions
2	20 minutes	Verbal	Synonyms	15 MC questions
2	20 minutes	Verbal	Analogies	15 MC questions
3	30 minutes	Reading	7 short passages, each with 4 questions	28 MC questions
4	15 minutes	Writing Sample²		1 prompt – written response telling a story of what happened in the picture presented on the test

¹ Math content is based upon the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards. It is NOT specifically designated how many questions will test each math topic, but the content tested is always the same, including numbers, concepts, operations, algebra and geometry. Calculators are NOT permitted.
² The writing sample is not graded, but is sent to schools as part of the admissions materials.
³ Multiple choice

TOTAL LENGTH WITH STANDARD TIME
1 hour and 50 minutes plus one 15-minute break between sections 2 and 3

TOTAL LENGTH WITH EXTENDED TIME
2 hour and 45 minutes plus one 15-minute break between sections 2 and 3

Middle and Upper Level SSAT Format and Content

Section		Subject	Question Type	# of Questions
#	Length	Subject	Question Type	# of Questions
Writing Sample	25 minutes		Essay²	1 essay question (based on a given prompt)
1	30 minutes	Quantitative/Math¹	Number concepts, operations, algebra, geometry and other math	25 MC³ questions
2	40 minutes	Reading Comprehension		40 MC Questions
3	30 minutes	Verbal	Synonyms	30 MC Questions
3	30 minutes	Verbal	Analogies	30 MC Questions
4	30 minutes	Quantitative (Math)¹	Number concepts, operations, algebra, geometry and other math	25 MC Questions
5	15 minutes	Experimental (not scored)		16 MC Questions

¹ It is NOT specifically designated how many questions will test each math topic, but the content tested is always the same. The primary topics tested are arithmetic, basic algebra, basic geometry, and data analysis. Between sections 1 and 4, approximately 28 questions are based on number concepts and operations; approximately 22 questions are based on algebra, geometry, and other math. Calculators are NOT permitted. ² The essay is not graded, but is sent to schools as part of the admissions materials.
³ Multiple choice

TOTAL LENGTH WITH STANDARD TIME
2 hours and 50 minutes plus one 5-minute break between the writing sample and section 1 as well as one 10-minute break between sections 2 and 3.

TOTAL LENGTH WITH EXTENDED TIME
4 hours and 15 minutes plus one 5-minute break between the writing sample and section 1 as well as one 10-minute break between sections 2 and 3.

Scoring

Raw scores are calculated by adding one point for every correct answer and subtracting one quarter of a point for every incorrect answer*. The writing sample is sent to schools to review but is not scored in any way.

Raw scores are converted into scaled scores based on a formula that the SSAT does not release. Scaled scoring is different for the elementary, middle, and upper level exams. A total score is then also reported, which is the sum of each section’s scaled score. For the Upper Level SSAT, the scaled score for each section can range from 500 to 800. For the Middle Level SSAT, the scaled score for each section can range from 440 to 710. For the Elementary Level SSAT, the scaled score for each section can range from 300-600.

*NOTE: There is only a wrong answer penalty for the middle level and upper level tests.

Testing Schedule

2024-2025 Paper-Based Test Dates

October 12, 2024
November 9, 2024
December 7, 2024
January 4, 2025
February 1, 2025
March 1, 2025

Costs

Prices vary depending on the mode and test level. There is also different pricing for domestic and international testing. Details can be found on the publisher’s website by clicking here.

Registration Site/Additional Information

Visit the official SSAT website to register and learn more.

View a comparison of the ISEE and SSAT tests.

SHSAT

August 23, 2011

General Information

The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is an entrance exam for the specialized high schools in New York City taken by 8th and 9th graders who reside within the five boroughs. After two decades with the same format, the test was redesigned for the 2017-2018 school year in order to be better aligned with New York State Learning Standards and daily classroom instruction. Please note that Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts requires an audition in lieu of the SHSAT.

NYC Specialized High Schools

Format and Content

SECTION # and LENGTH	SUBJECT	QUESTION TYPE	# OF QUESTIONS
1 - 90 min¹	Verbal (57 total items)⁵	20 revising/editing questions	5-8 stand-alone questions and 2 passages with 6-8 questions each⁴
1 - 90 min	Verbal (57 total items)⁵	6 reading passages³	5-7 questions each⁴
2 - 90 min¹	Math (57 total items)⁵	Grid-ins and multiple choice items²	5 grid-in questions and 52 multiple choice word problems and computational questions⁴

¹ The SHSAT is now 3 hours instead of 2.5 hours. Students can still work between the two sections freely the whole time. 90 minutes per section is only a suggestion.
² It is NOT specifically designated how many questions will test each math topic. Students will be asked to solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as well as fractions, decimals and statistics. Calculators are NOT permitted.
³ All reading passages for 2017 testing will be nonfiction passages. Starting in 2018, the DOE may revise the test to include persuasive and literary passages.
⁴ All multiple choice questions on the redesigned test will provide four answer choices (instead of 5 choices).
⁵ Though each section is comprised of 57 items, only 47 items are scored. The other 10 items in each section are field test items that are not used to determine a student’s score. Students will not be able to determine which items are field test items.

Scoring

First, a raw score is calculated for each student. There is no wrong answer penalty, so the raw score is simply the total number of correct answers.

The raw score is converted into a scaled score using a formula that the New York City Department of Education does not release. The scaled scores for the verbal and math sections are then added together to create a composite score out of 800. Each of the specialized high schools creates their own cut-off score, which varies from year to year depending on the students’ scores and the number of open spaces at the school.

Admissions Process

On the day of the exam, students choose which schools they would like to apply to and then rank their preference. If their score meets or exceeds the cut-off score of their first choice school, they will be accepted there. If it does not, then it is compared in the same way to the cut-off score of their second choice school and so on. In 2016, over 28,000 students took the SHSAT.

Testing Schedule/Registration

The SHSAT is administered once annually, typically in late October for 8th graders and early to mid-November for 9th graders. Results are used for admissions for the following school year.

2024-2025 Testing Schedule

The DOE shares updated information about the testing schedule on this page.

Cost

It is FREE to take the SHSAT exam.

Additional Information

Visit the official SHSAT website to learn more.

Click to preview the 2024 specialized high schools admissions guide.

SAT

August 23, 2011

General Information

The dSAT is a college entrance exam that is administered by the College Board. It consists of two sections: 1) the Reading and Writing Section (RW), and 2) the Math Section.

Digital SAT Content and Question Types


	Reading and Writing Section (RW)	Math Section
Administration	Two-stage adaptive test design using AI: 1 Reading and Writing section administered via two separately timed modules. The first module is a "baseline module". Performance on the baseline module determines whether students progress to an "easier" or "harder" second module.	Two-stage adaptive test design using AI: 1 Math section administered via two separately timed modules. If 0-14 questions are answered correctly in the 1st module (baseline module), then students progress to the "Easier Adaptive Math Module". If 15-20 questions are answered correctly in the baseline module, then students progress to the "Harder Adaptive Math Module".
Total # of Questions	54 questions (27 questions/module) 1st Module: 25 operational questions (scored) and 2 experimental questions (non-scored) 2nd Module: 25 operational questions (scored) and 2 experimental questions (non-scored)	44 questions (22 questions/module) 1st Module: 20 operational questions (scored) and 2 experimental questions (non-scored) 2nd Module: 20 operational questions (scored) and 2 experimental questions (non-scored)
Total Time Allotted	64 minutes (32 minutes/module)	70 minutes (35 minutes/module)
Average Time Per Question	1.19 minutes	1.59 minutes
Question Types	4-option, multiple-choice questions	4-option, multiple-choice questions (~75%) Grid-in (~25%) questions called "Student Produced Responses"
Subject Areas	Literature, History & Social Studies, Humanities, and Science	30% of the Math section questions are in the context of Science, Social Studies, and Real-World Topics; the remaining 70% are "pure" math questions. Content: -Algebra 1 and 2 (~35%) -Advanced Math (~35%) -Problem-Solving & Data Analysis (~15%) -Geometry and Trigonometry (~15%) -Statistics, Probability -Emphasis on word problems and questions in real-world context
Word Count	25-150 words per passage	~30% are word problems called "Questions in Context; most have 50 words or fewer.
Informational Graphics	Tables, Bar Graphs, and Line Graphs	Yes

Total Length

2 hours 14 minutes
There is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing Section and the Math Section.

Compare the Digital SAT with the ACT


	SAT	ACT
Format & Length	2 Sections: 1) Reading & Writing 2) Math Each section is divided into 2 equal-length, separately timed "adaptive" modules. The first module will present easy, medium, and hard items. A student's performance will then guide the 2nd module, which will employ AI to deliver easy, medium, and/or hard items. Items will be multiple-choice with 4 answer choices.	5 Sections: 1) English 2) Math 3) Reading 4) Science 5) Essay (optional but recommended) Items will be multiple-choice with 5 answer choices for math and 4 answer choices for other sections.
Scoring	Combined score: 400 to 1600 (sum of both sections) Reading Score Range: 200-800 Math Score Range: 200-800 The difficulty level of Module 2 for each section -- and the highest potential score -- will be determined by student performance on Module 1 of each section.	Composite score: 1-36 (average of the 4 multiple-choice sections) Section Scores: 1) English: 1-36 2) Math: 1-36 3) Reading: 1-36 4) Science: 1-36 5) Essay: 2-12 Notably the national average is 19.5 (a 30-year low).
Reading & Writing	27 passages per module: -Each passage will range from 25-150 words. -Some paired passages with 1 question -Reading passages come before Writing passages in each module. -Passages may include informational graphics. -Reading content includes: Literature, Humanities, History & Social Studies, and Science -Writing content includes: Grammar & Usage, Punctuation, Structure, and Rhetoric ~71 seconds/question	4 reading passages: -3 regular passages -1 paired passage -Each passage will range between 700-900 words with 10 questions per passage. Content (in order): -Prose Fiction -Social science -Humanities -Natural Science ~52.5 seconds/question
English	English topics are covered in the Writing modules as described above.	5 writing passages: -Revise and correct errors -Passages are 800-1,000 words -15 questions per passage Content: -Grammar and Usage -Punctuation -Structure -Rhetoric ~36 seconds/question
Math	Content includes: -Algebra 1 and 2 (~35%) -Advanced Math (~35%) -Problem-Solving & Data Analysis (~15%) -Geometry and Trigonometry (~15%) -Statistics, Probability -Emphasis on word problems and questions in real-world context Structure: -2 modules, 22 questions each -Mostly multiple-choice questions -5-6 grid-in questions -2 non-scored "experimental" questions -Math formulas provided -Calculator is allowed for both modules -Built-in Desmos graphic calculator ~95.5 seconds/question	Content includes: -Pre-Algebra -Algebra 1 and 2 -Geometry (~25%) -Statistics & Probability -Trigonometry Structure: -60 multiple-choice questions -No math formulas provided -Calculator allowed on all questions. ~60 seconds/question
Science	Science-themed passages embedded in the reading modules.	This section tests reasoning and non-fiction reading skills more than science knowledge. Embedded in this section are tables, charts, and graphs requiring analysis and data analysis without a calculator (e.g. mean, median, mode). Passage topics include: -Biology -Chemistry -Physics -Earth/Space Science Structure: -6 passages -40 questions ~52.5 seconds/question
Essay	No essay	Optional but strongly recommended to demonstrate writing prowess. The task requires students to read a background paragraph on an issue that doesn't particularly require any background knowledge and typically appeals to everyday experiences for a typical high school student. Students analyze and evaluate 3 given perspectives (stances) and then choose one to develop. A non-chosen perspective (stance) serves as fuel for a counterargument. The expectation is a well developed, 5-paragraph persuasive essay.

Scoring

The dSAT reports two section scores, each with scaled scores ranging from 200 to 800. The first section is Reading and Writing, and the second section is Math. These two section scores are added together to give a cumulative SAT score between 400 and 1600. Notably, each question has its own weighting, so answers certain questions incorrectly will have a bigger impact on your score. Therefore, there is no longer a conversion chart aligning the number of correct answers with a specific score.

Testing Schedule

The dSAT is administered seven times per year, typically once in each of the following months: August, October, November, December, March, May, and June.

2025-2026 Test Dates

August 23, 2025 (registration deadline is 8/8/25; late registration deadline is 8/12/25)
September, 13, 2025 (registration deadline is 8/29/25; late registration deadline is 9/2/25)
October 4, 2025 (registration deadline is 9/19/25; late registration deadline is 9/23/25)
November 8, 2025 (registration deadline is 10/24/25; late registration deadline is 10/28/25)
December 6, 2025 (registration deadline is 11/21/25; late registration deadline is 11/25/25)
March 14, 2026 (registration deadline is 2/27/26; late registration deadline is 3/3/26)
May 2, 2026 (registration deadline is 4/17/26; late registration deadline is 4/21/26)
June 6, 2026 (registration deadline is 5/22/26; late registration deadline is 5/26/26)

Cost

Exam Cost: $68
Late Registration Fee: $38
Change Fee: $29
Rush Reports: $31
Scores by Phone: $15

Score Choice™

Score Choice™ is a feature of the SAT that allows a student to take the test multiple times without having to worry about colleges seeing all of their results. Instead, they can select which test dates they want sent to schools. A student CANNOT, however, select from within a test date certain subject scores to send. For instance, they cannot send ONLY a math score from a certain test date.

Different colleges have different policies with regards to Score Choice™.
Learn more here

Registration Site/Additional Information

To register, visit the official College Board SAT website.

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General Information

Format and Content

ACT Paper-and-Pencil Test

ACT Online Testing (Digital ACT)

Total length with standard time

Total length with 50% extended time

Scoring

2025-2026 Testing Schedule

Cost

Registration Site/Additional Information

Related Posts

General Information

Elementary Level SSAT Format and Content

Middle and Upper Level SSAT Format and Content

Scoring

Testing Schedule

Costs

Registration Site/Additional Information

Related Posts

General Information

NYC Specialized High Schools

Format and Content

Scoring

Admissions Process

Testing Schedule/Registration

2024-2025 Testing Schedule

Cost

Additional Information

General Information

Digital SAT Content and Question Types

Total Length

Compare the Digital SAT with the ACT

Scoring

Testing Schedule

2025-2026 Test Dates

Cost

Score Choice™

Registration Site/Additional Information

Related Posts

Company Overview

School Planning

Private Tutoring

Test Preparation