Question about the SAT and ACT tests.

Question

How many SAT tests are there?

Could I take the ACT test in my sophomore year and then take the SAT in my junior?

Answer 1

There are a lot of SAT tests.  The most important one is the SAT Reasoning Test (formerly the SAT I), but there are also a variety of SAT Subject Tests to choose from.  Some colleges (but not all colleges) require that applicants take one, two, or three Subject Tests.  Check out

www.collegeboard.com for more info on the SAT.

Yes you could take the ACT in your sophomore year, but I also recommend that you take the SAT in your sophomore year as well (the two are never on the same day).  Why?  If you're unhappy with your score as a sophomore, you have time to retake both the ACT and SAT as a junior.  I took both tests when I was a sophomore, and I liked my ACT score, but I decided to retake the SAT as a junior, and I ended up doing much better--helped me get into an Ivy League school.  

Answer 2

There's the SAT I (or reasoning test) based off of a 2400 scale (800 maximum for each of the 3 sections) with critical reading, math, and writing. Some colleges require SAT II or subject tests with include English literature, chem, bio, physics, math I and II, u.s. and world history, and basically a lot of foreign languages (about 15). You can definitely take those tests in that way. I'd definitely recommend starting early--don't procrastinate and try using Kaplan for study guides.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

there is the SAT I that is the standard 3-hour test that most people talk about. it has 3 sections- math, verbal (reading comprehension) and writing (with an essay). each section is scored out of 800. many top level colleges (ivies and others of that caliber) will require 2+ SAT II tests, also known as the subject tests. there are a ton of them, each one hour long, in subjects that you study in school, like biology, foreign languages, math, etc. you wouldn't take SAT I and SAT II at the same time, but you can do up to 3 SAT II in a day. the SATs are given in oct, nov, dec, jan, mar, may, and june.

the ACT is kinda like the SAT I, with math, reading, and science sections. many colleges will accept one or the other, so there is no real reason to take both. if you take the ACT with the writing supplement, you won't have to take any SAT tests. and it doesn't matter when you take it- most people wait until junior year because they take time to prepare.