This article has two goals: (1) to help parents of children with disabilities plan ahead in obtaining testing accommodations, and (2) to help all parents and students decide which entrance test better fits their strengths.
Testing Accommodations
If you have a child who may need accommodations on standardized testing, such as on the ACT, plan ahead. I read over the procedure for obtaining accommodations for the ACT and found it quite burdensome.
The most widely used accommodation is more time.
Plan early and have your professional practitioners lined up at least three years before your child plans to test. Save every piece of paper and keep a log with dates and notes.
With appropriate documentation, accommodations can be obtained for the following problems:
- Visual impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Learning disabilities (this documentation can be expensive to obtain ($3,000 to $5,000) and usually only profound cases will qualify)
- Speech or language disorder
- Autism or developmental disorders (PDD) (ASD)
- ADHD
- Physical (medical) disabilities
- Psychiatric disorders - Mood or Anxiety Disorders or Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
- Traumatic brain injuries
Related Links:
Read this information from the College Board (creator of the SAT) about receiving accommodations for the SAT, PSAT, and AP exams. It can beneficial to go through your child's high school to obtain permission from the College Board. More documentation may be required if you do the paperwork on your own. All accommodations must be approved by the College Board.
Read this information about the rules for accommodations on the ACT.
Read here for information about what type of accommodation your child may request on the ACT.
Read here (Pacer Center - Champions for Student With Disabilities) for parent information and timelines regarding accommodations on the ACT. This includes information on how the IEP and 504 Plan can help.
Here is a quote from an ACT representative:
Ed Colby, a spokesperson for ACT, says there is “no simple answer” for why an application is rejected. “Every case is looked at individually,” he said. “If reviewers feel that there isn’t a substantiated need, it will be denied, but it will depend on the information provided by the student, and they will have the opportunity to provide additional information if needed. We go to great lengths to make sure that students who need extended time or other accommodations for the ACT have the ability to receive them.”
Which Test Should I Take?
The Princeton Review gives the following information about the difference between the ACT and SAT (all quoted below):
Colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT. So which should you take?
It's all about the numbers. Some students end up scoring substantially higher on the SAT; others do better on the ACT. In lieu of a crystal ball, we created The Princeton Review Assessment (PRA) designed to help you determine which test is better fit with your abilities.
To help you zero in on the right exam, here are seven key differences:
ACT questions tend to be more straightforward.
ACT questions are often easier to understand on a first read. On the SAT, you may need to spend time figuring out what you're being asked before you can start solving the problem. For example, here are sample questions from the SAT essay and the ACT writing test (their name for the essay):
SAT: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?
ACT: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating?
The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary.
If you're an ardent wordsmith, you'll love the SAT. If words aren't your thing, you may do better on the ACT.
The ACT has a Science section, while the SAT does not.
You don't need to know anything about amoebas or chemical reactions for the ACT Science section. It is meant to test your reading and reasoning skills based upon a given set of facts. But if you're a true science-phobe, the SAT might be a better fit.
The ACT tests more advanced math concepts.
In addition to basic arithmetic, algebra I and II, and geometry, the ACT tests your knowledge of trigonometry, too. That said, the ACT Math section is not necessarily harder, since many students find the questions to be more straightforward than those on the SAT.
The ACT Writing Test is optional on test day, but required by many schools.
The 25-minute SAT essay is required and is factored into your writing score. The 30-minute ACT writing test is optional. If you choose to take it, it is not included in your composite score — schools will see it listed separately. Many colleges require the writing section of the ACT, so be sure to check with the schools where you are applying before opting out.
The SAT is broken up into more sections.
On the ACT, you tackle each content area (English, Math, Reading and Science) in one big chunk, with the optional writing test at the end. On the SAT, the content areas (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) are broken up into 10 sections, with the required essay at the beginning. You do a little math, a little writing, a little critical reading, a little more math, etc. When choosing between the SAT and ACT, ask yourself if moving back and forth between content areas confuse you or keep you energized?
The ACT is more of a "big picture" exam.
College admissions officers care about how you did on each section of the SAT. On the ACT, they're most concerned with your composite score. So if you're weak in one content area but strong in others, you could still end up with a very good ACT score and thus make a strong impression with the admissions committee.
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