-Charles F. Kettering

The ACT is universally accepted for college admission. It is not an aptitude or an IQ test, but a curriculum based exam. ACT questions are directly related to what students have learned in standard high school courses including: English, math, and science. For this reason, students are generally more comfortable taking the ACT. "The ACT is based more on what you've learned in school. Take the test that best correlates with your learning style," states Kelsey O'Brien.

The ACT also provides test takers with a unique interest inventory of valuable information for career and educational planning as well as a student profile section that provides a comprehensive portrait of a student's work and future goals. Students may take the ACT as often as they wish on national test date; many students take the test twice, once as a junior and again as a senior.

Students begin to dread the SAT by their freshman year because it is a three-hour exam that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning. Lacey Latham recalls her SAT experience, "This is a test that some say will change your life, but really relax, breathe, and answer one question at a time."

Many colleges and universities use SAT results as part of the admissions decisions. The College Board believes that the SAT measures critical thinking skills that are needed for academic success in college such as analyzing and solving problems. Typically, this test is taken by high school juniors and seniors.

Historically, the SAT has been more popular among colleges on the coasts and the ACT more popular in the Midwest and South. There are some colleges that require the ACT to be taken for college course placement, and a few schools that do not accept the SAT at all.

"No matter if you are going to a four year college or community college, work to get the best score you can. You never know where you can go with a high score," stated Rebecca Cessna (12). Students are not required to take both, but are recommended to take the text that best fits their learning style.

• 92% of 08-09 seniors took the tests out of their own personal choice.
• 85% of 08-09 seniors rated both the ACT and SAT as medium level challenging.
• 64% of 08-09 seniors admitted they were not prepared for the tests.
• 57% of 08-09 seniors are looking into colleges who care about the SAT/ACT scores.