What is it?
The ACT Assessment is a national college admissions examination that covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. It’s designed to assess your general educational development and ability to complete college-level work.

Why should I take it?
ACT results are accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and universities. Colleges use them for admissions requirements, course placement and awarding scholarships.

What is the cost?
The exam fee is $30, which includes score reports sent to four colleges or universities of your choice. Sending your scores to additional schools costs extra.

How long does it take?
About four hours, including breaks between each section. The optional writing portion takes an additional 30 minutes.

What’s the average score?
The 2006 national average composite score was 21.1 out of 36 possible points. Arkansas’ average composite score was 20.6.

Sample questions: (answers below)
1. Even in 1930 for example an hour’s advertising on nationwide radio to forty-seven cities cost $10,180. (Choose the best alternative for the underlined phrase in this passage.)
A. NO CHANGE
B. Even in 1930; for example
C. Even, in 1930 for example,
D. Even in 1930, for example,

2. If x + 2y = 1, and 2x + y =5, then x + y = ?
F. 1
G. 2
H. 3
J. 4
K. 5

ACT Plus Writing
The writing component of the ACT was added in February 2005 and can be taken on national test dates. Students who opt to take the writing test pay an additional $14.50 and are seated in an area separate from students who take the basic four-part test. Although Arkansas colleges and universities do not officially require the writing test for admission, those that recommend it include four-year institutions like Hendrix College and Lyon College. Several two-year schools also recommend the writing test. For a complete list, log on to Actstudent.org.

SAT
(Scholastic Aptitude Test)

What is it?
The SAT is an exam that measures two sets of skills — critical reading and mathematical reasoning — you’ll need in order to tackle college-level work in any academic area. The SAT also has a mandatory writing section that includes one 25-minute essay and a 10-minute multiple choice section.

Why should I take it?
SAT scores are intended to supplement your transcript but are often used for college admissions requirements, course placement and scholarships.

What is the cost?
The SAT fee is $43, which includes score reports sent to four colleges or universities of your choice. Sending your scores to additional schools costs extra.

How long does it take?
About four hours, including breaks between each section.

What’s the average score?
Each section is scored anywhere from 200-800. For college-bound Arkansas seniors in 2006, the average verbal score was 574 out of 800 and the average mathematical score was 568 out of 800. The average writing score was 577 out of 800.

What will I be asked to write in the essay?
You will be asked to read about an issue, develop a point of view and then support it with examples. You will not need any prior knowledge of the issue to write an effective essay.

Sample questions: (answers below)
3. An amusement park charges $8 for adults’ tickets and $6 for children’s tickets. On a certain day, a total of 150 tickets were sold for a total cost of $1,020. How many more children’s tickets were sold than adults’ tickets?
A. 30
B. 50
C. 60
D. 90
E. 120

4. Analogy — Swarm : Bee
A. oxen : cow
B. venison : deer
C. school : fish
D. peak : mountain
E. skin : lion

Answers for sample questions: 1-D, 2-G, 3-A, 4-C.