Excerpts in the following article are from Three Things Juniors Should Be Doing NOW July 22,2011 by Lynn O’Shaughnessy. Ms. O’Shaughnessy is a financial journalist and the author of The College Solution – a must read for all parents planning college for their children.

In this article, Ms. O’Shaughnessy is addressing both the parents and the high school junior. Too often both of these parties feel no need to hurry in preparations for college while the student is still a junior. Thought college planning could wait until the senior year? Ms. O’Shaughnessy proposes an outstanding “No” to that questions. She infers, and rightly so, that preparation for college should begin as early as possible. Although the subject of degree may not be chosen, preparing for the more intimidating aspects of testing and funds should begin early. She gives 5 principal areas for the junior to accomplish.

Follow up:

1.    Focus on your Grades.

In an annual survey of colleges conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, nearly 87% of colleges characterized grades in college prep classes as considerably important.  Those collage prep classes scores will play an important role in admissions to many colleges. The junior should be setting a goal toward the college that he/she wishes to enter, secure the scores that the college accepts for entrance and work toward that goal. If the college prep class is in the field that the student wishes to fulfill, those scores will be even more influential.

2.    Take challenging classes.

No one is suggesting that you need to overdose on Advanced Placement classes, but you should take some rigorous courses. What’s considered rigorous? Besides AP, International Baccalaureate and community college courses fill the bill.  In that NACAC survey, 71% of schools said that the strength of a student’s curriculum was considerable important – far more than test scores (58%).  By taking rigorous courses, the student becomes acclimated to the rigors of college, but more important, the student proves that he/she is up to the challenge while gaining more knowledge. Considerable information may be found on web sites for AP, International Baccalaureate and community college courses. The student may peruse them as a means of narrowing choices for both the college to attend and to narrow the field of interest for the major.

3.    Take Practice ACT and SAT tests.

Some teens fare better on the ACT and others on the SAT and taking a practice run can help you decide which to select. Learn the differences between the two tests so you can take the one that plays to your strengths.  Many teens don’t do well on tests or are very afraid of taking tests. By taking the test over, the student will learn the test taking techniques required and find that the test requires persistence, knowledge, and careful thinking. It does not require fear!

You make the choice. Should you take the ACT or the SAT?

Aptitude /achievement The SAT will test your reasoning and verbal abilities, not what you’ve learned in school. It is similar to an aptitude test.

The ACT is an achievement test.  Test length The ACT has 215 question and an optional essay. It takes about 3 hours and 25 minutes to finish. The SAT has 140 questions plus the required essay. It takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to finish. Both tests give restroom breaks.

ACT Science does have a science test that will include biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. If the student is good in reading and understanding graphs, he/she will probably not have a problem.

Writing Skills Differences Grammar is important for both tests. The student should know the basic grammar rules. Even though it seems odd, the ACT will place more emphasis on punctuation – periods, commas – than the SAT. The ACT will also include question on rhetoric strategies.

ACT Trigonometry Act does have a few trigonometry questions, but they are quite basic. Just know how to use sine and cosines! SAT has no trigonometry.

The SAT Guessing Penalty If the student doesn’t know the answer, he should leave it blank unless he/she can eliminate at least one answer. The ACT has no guessing penalty.

Essay Differences ACT makes the essay optional, but be aware that many colleges will require the essay. Time required: 30 minutes. The SAT does require the essay. Time required: 25 minutes.
SAT Vocabulary The SAT critical reading sections place more emphasis on vocabulary than the ACT English sections.

Structural Differences Question will become more difficult as one progresses on the SAT test while the questions on the ACT test will remain at a more constant level. The ACT math section will consist of all multiple choice answers whereas the SAT will require some written answers. The SAT essay will appear first on the test schedule, and the ACT essay, which is optional, is last on the test
Scoring Differences Scores are weighted. ACT gives 36 points per section with the average score around 21. The SAT has a total of 800 points in all with the average score around 500 points. The ACT test will show an individual’s combined scores measure up against other test takers while the SAT test does not.