The SAT and ACT are entrance exams used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT and ACT are used to provide colleges with one common criterion that can be used to compare all applicants. Your SAT or ACT score is considered to be an important factor in the college admissions process. In their 2017 State of College Admissions Report, the National Association of College Admission Counseling found the top four areas that colleges place considerable importance to be:
- 77.1% Grades in All Courses
- 76.9% Grades in College Prep Courses
- 51.8% Strength of Curriculum
- 54.3% SAT or ACT Scores
The SAT is offered nationally in August, October, November, December, March, May and June for 2018-2019.
Beginning in March of 2016, the SAT will have a redesigned format. Some of the more significant changes include:
- Return to a top score of 1600
- No penalty for wrong answers
- Fewer choices
- More time for each section
- No more obscure vocabulary
- Increased use of graphs and charts
- Use of texts that are more similar to those you’ve seen at school
- Reading section focuses on evidence
- Revamped essay section: Not part of the writing score and optional
2018-2019 SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
Test Date Registration Deadline
May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018
June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018
August 25, 2018 July 27, 2018
October 6, 2018 September 7, 2018
November 3, 2018 October 5, 2018
December 1, 2018 November 2, 2018
March 9, 2019 February 8, 2019
May 4, 2019 April 5, 2019
June 1, 2019 May 3, 2019
ACT assessment measures high school students’ general educational development and their capability to complete college-level work with the multiple choice tests covering four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The optional Writing Test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. A Composite score, all four areas averaged, of 36 is the highest score on the ACT test. Colleges accept SAT and ACT scores but may vary on the emphasis given for either test. Make sure to check the colleges you are interested in for complete and accurate information.
The ACT is offered nationally in July, September, October, December, February, April and June for 2018-2019.
2018-2019 ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
Test Date Registration Deadline
April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018
June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018
July 14, 2018 June 15, 2018
September 8, 2018 August 3, 2018
October 27, 2018 September 21, 2018
December 8, 2018 November 2, 2018
February 9, 2019 January 4, 2019
April 13, 2019 March 8, 2019
June 8, 2019 May 3, 2019
July 13, 2019 June 14, 2019
