SAT/ACT Guide
Most colleges accept both the SAT and ACT, without a bias toward either test (but please contact the colleges to which your child is applying for more information). The SAT consists of three sections (critical reading, math and writing), lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes, and tests math knowledge through the level of geometry. The ACT has four sections (English, math, reading and science), lasts 2 hours and 55 minutes (or 3 hours and 25 minutes, including the 30-minute optional written essay), tests a higher level of math (including some trigonometry), and includes a science component.
When determining which test is right for your child, consider your child’s learning style and academic strengths.
| SAT FEATURES | ACT FEATURES |
| Reasoning & problem-solving based material | Curriculum-based material |
| Longer length exam | Shorter length and varied sections |
| Math does not advance beyond geometry | Higher level of math – including trigonometry |
| Science not included | Science included |
Below are the 2011 - 2012 test dates and registration deadlines, as well as our corresponding tutoring session start dates. The dates denoted under each section are recommended start dates based on the number of test sections that need preparation.
| SAT TEST DATE | SAT REGISTRATION DEADLINE | 3 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* | 2 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* | 1 SECTION (suggested start date)* |
| October 1 | September 9 | Immediately | August 1 | September 5 |
| November 5 | October 7 | August 15 | September 12 | October 3 |
| December 3 | November 8 | September 12 | October 3 | October 31 |
| January 28 | December 30 | October 10 | November 7 | December 12 |
| March 10 | February 10 | December 5 | January 9 | February 6 |
| May 5 | April 6 | February 6 | February 27 | March 26 |
| June 2 | May 8 | March 12 | April 2 | April 30 |
| ACT TEST DATE |
ACT REGISTRATION DEADLINE |
4 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* |
3 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* |
2 SECTIONS (suggested start date)* |
1 SECTION (suggested start date)* |
| October 22 | September 17 | Immediately | August 15 | August 29 | September 20 |
| December 10 | November 5 | September 5 | September 26 | October 10 | October 31 |
| February 11 | January 7 | October 17 | November 7 | December 5 | January 2 |
| April 14 | March 4 | January 9 | January 30 | February 13 | February 27 |
| June 9 | May 6 | March 12 | April 2 | April 16 | April 30 |
* Please note that these are only guidelines and we will provide a personalized plan once we understand your child’s content comprehension, learning style and standardized test goals. Contact us.
Thanks to Tutor Corps, Andi’s confidence reached an all time high prior to the SAT test. Your ability to teach geometry, vocabulary and grammar as well as work on test-taking strategies helped Andi increase her score to 2100, a 400 point increase! 
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