One yard stick that colleges use for admissions in the USA is SAT Test or ACT Test scores. Historically, ACT Test was popular only in the mid-western and southern US while the rest of the country used the SAT Test. That is no longer the case and right now it is more of a personal choice as to which test to take. Universities adopt a conversion chart to compare SAT Test and ACT Test scores. These conversion charts vary between colleges and universities and so it is best to get this chart from the concerned website.
To ease the confusion on choosing between the tests consider these points:
It used to be that Score Choice was not available with the SAT Test. That is no longer the case – you can choose which score you want to report to colleges with either the SAT Test or the ACT Test.
To ease the confusion on choosing between the tests consider these points:
- Those with an excellent overall GPA will fare better with ACT Test, as math is explored in depth. Admirable grammar and vocabulary skills aid those considering the SAT option.
- The testing fee for ACT is comparable to SAT as the basic fee for SAT is $43 compared to $39.50 for ACT Test. With the optional writing section, the fee increases to $56.50 for ACT and $54.50 for SAT.
- The ACT Test comprises of four sections - English, Math, Reading, and Science with 215 questions between them - English: 75 questions (45 minutes), Math: 60 questions (60 minutes), Reading: 40 questions (35 minutes), and Science: 40 questions (35 minutes) timed at 2 hours 55 minutes total. The optional writing test is 30 minutes. The SAT Test takes longer – 3 hours 45 minutes and includes a total of nine sub-sections spread over Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. Despite being longer, the sub-sections and the breaks in between make it seem the SAT test moves faster.
It used to be that Score Choice was not available with the SAT Test. That is no longer the case – you can choose which score you want to report to colleges with either the SAT Test or the ACT Test.
Below is a list of study resources available to prepare for the SAT Test:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
The Official SAT Study Guide | $4.37 | The best single resource to have. Several official SAT practice tests. Descriptions, practice questions, math review, and suggestions. | |
| Practice Tests for SAT by Princeton Review | Varies | Detailed answer explanations for every question. Drills for test sections. | |
| SAT Prep Black Book by Mike Barrett | $9.99 | Best Seller. The most effective SAT strategies ever published. Designed for use with the College Board's official guide (Blue Book). 250+ solutions for real SAT questions. The version for the newly designed SAT is yet to be out, but this version can be fairly useful. | |
| 500+ Practice Questions for the New SAT by Princeton Review | 978-1101881750 | $10.52 | Created for the redesigned 2016 exam. Guide to the major changes in the New SAT. Practice all question types including the new formats. Detailed answer explanations and strategies for scoring success. |
Gruber’s Complete SAT Guide | 978-1402295737 | $22.68 | Five full-length SAT practice tests, vocabulary builder, Strategies for Essay, Writing, Vocabulary, Math, and Critical Reading.1846 additional practice problems and explanations. 150,000-word vocabulary builder. |
Kaplan SAT: Strategies, Practice, and Review | $13 | Several full-length practice tests, answer explanations, scoring strategies, online practice. Book + Online + DVD. | |
500 key words for the SAT, and how to remember them forever | 978-0965326339 | $13 | Mnemonic based helpers make this an outstanding book. |
Vocabulary Cartoons: SAT Word Power | 978-0965242233 | $9 | Another mnemonic helper based book with 290 words. |
Besides the general SAT test, there are also subject tests on twenty different areas – twelve language areas, and eight other subject areas. They are also commonly known as SAT II tests. College Board publishes an Official Study Guide for ALL Subject Tests.
Below is a list of study resources available for the subject tests:
English Literature:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
| Barron's SAT Subject Test: Literature | 9781438003696 | $11.48 | Seven full-length practice tests and two diagnostic tests. Review of the seven literary elements. |
Kaplan SAT Subject Test: Literature | $9.99 | 8 full-length practice tests and a diagnostic test, answer explanations, chapter summaries, score-raising strategies, and video tutorials. | |
Cracking the SAT Literature Subject Test (College Test Preparation) by Princeton Review | $13.98 | 4 full-length practice tests with explanations, subject review, coverage of prose, poetry, drama, and terms. | |
| McGraw Hill's SAT Subject Test: Literature | $4.45 | 9 full-length practice tests with complete answer explanations. Tips for test day. Glossary of tested literature terms. Step-by-step review of important books and authors. |
United States History:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
The Official SAT Subject Tests in U.S. & World History | 978-0874477696 | $3 | Two full-length practice tests (previously administered) in each of U.S. History & World History Subject Test areas with answer explanations. Test taking strategies and study guide. |
McGraw-Hill’s SAT Subject Test in the United States History | $3 | Six full-length practice test along with a diagnostic test. Complete explanations for all questions. Tips and strategies. | |
Barron’s SAT Subject Test in U.S. History | $5.81 | Review of major topics.Diagnostic test along with several full-length practice tests with answer explanations. Subject review quizzes. | |
| Cracking the SAT U.S. History Subject Test by Princeton Review | $13.98 | 3 full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations. Practice drills at the end of each content review chapter. Pop quiz sections throughout the review sections. | |
| Kaplan SAT Subject Test U.S. History | $9.99 | Several full-length practice tests along with a diagnostic test and answer explanations. Chapter summaries, highlights, and quizzes. Strategies and end-of-chapter quizzes. | |
| The Insider's SAT II US History Exam | 978-0985291235 | $13.94 | A series of unique items forms the core of this book: narrative review of key topics, collection of frequently tested quotes, key people, presidents, elections, amendments, and laws. Also includes a complete practice test. |
| No Bull Review - for use with the AP US History Exam and SAT Subject Test | $7.99 | Has definitions and explanations of terms, concepts, and themes in the U.S. History curriculum. 240 multiple-choice questions for the SAT Subject Test. |
World History:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
| The Official SAT Subject Tests in U.S. & World History | 978-0874477696 | $13 | Two full-length practice tests (previously administered) in each of U.S. History & World History Subject Test areas with answer explanations. Test taking strategies and study guide. |
Kaplan SAT Subject Test World History | $3 | Full-length practice tests and a diagnostic test with answer explanations. Review of all tested material and test-taking strategies. | |
Barron’s SAT Subject Test World History | 978-1438005263 | $14.20 | Two full-length practice exams with answer keys and explanations. 25-chapter review of world history. Practice and review questions at end of each chapter. |
| Cracking the SAT World History Subject Test by Princeton Review | $11.27 | Two full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations. Drills at the end of each content chapter. Quick-review lists of people, places, events, and concepts. |
Mathematics Level 1 and Mathematics Level 2:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
The Official SAT Subject Tests in Mathematics Level 1 and Level 2 by College Board | $11 | ||
| Barron’s SAT Subject Test Math | Varies | All are Best Sellers! | |
| Kaplan SAT Subject Test Mathematics | Varies | Several practice tests, diagnostic test, answer explanations, chapter reviews, etc. | |
Cracking the SAT Math Subject Test by Princeton Review | Varies | Several full-length practice tests, review key for Math Vocabulary, Basic Functions, and Equations. |
Biology E/M:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
Cracking the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test | $12.67 | Two full-length practice tests with explanations. Comprehensive review. | |
| Barron’s Subject Test Biology E/M | $12.99 | Two full-length practice tests along with a diagnostic test with answers and explanations. Study guide, review, and strategies. | |
| Kaplan's SAT Subject Test Biology E/M | $8.99 | Two full-length practice tests and a diagnostic test. Answer explanations, summaries, highlights, quizzes, etc. |
Chemistry:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
Cracking the SAT Chemistry Subject Test | $12.95 | Three full-length practice tests, review of all essential content tested, along with techniques and strategies. | |
| Barron’s SAT Subject Test Chemistry | 978-0764144806 | $8 | Four practice tests and a diagnostic test along with extensive subject review. |
| Kaplan's SAT Subject Test Chemistry | $9.99. | Full length practice tests and diagnostic test. Answer explanations, summaries, highlights, quizzes, etc. |
Physics:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
Cracking the SAT Physics Subject Test by Princeton Review | $13.31 | Two full-length practice tests, along with strategies and complete review. | |
Kaplan SAT Subject Test Physics | $9.99 | Three full-length practice tests and a diagnostic test, summaries, highlights, quizzes, answer explanations and strategies. | |
| Barron's SAT Subject Test Physics | $4.47 | Reviews of all major topics. Provides methodology used for all Physics problems. Three full-length practice tests and a diagnostic test. |
French and French with Listening:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
Cracking the SAT French Subject Test (College Test Preparation) by Princeton Review | $13.79 | Two full-length practice tests with explanations and techniques. | |
Barron's SAT Subject Test French: With 3 Audio CDs | 978-0764196737 | $7.95 | Eight full-length practice tests with four supplemented with listening discs. Answer key and explanations, subject review, and quizzes with answers. |
German and German with Listening:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
| SAT Subject Test: German | 978-0738601601 | $23 | College Board Passbook Series. |
Spanish and Spanish with Listening:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
Barron’s SAT Subject Test Spanish with Audio CDs | 978-0764193460 | $16 | Ten full-length SAT practice tests with answers and explanations. CD presents listening comprehension practice. Grammar and Vocabulary review and advice. |
Cracking the SAT Spanish Subject Test by Princeton Review | $11.89 | Three full-length practice tests. Vocabulary and Grammar review along with techniques and strategies. | |
| Kaplan SAT Subject Test Spanish | 978-1609785888 | $9.67 | Five full-length practice tests. Comprehensive grammar review. Strategies for every question type. |
Modern Hebrew:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
| SAT II Subject Test in Hebrew (Modern) | 978-0837363073 | $23 | College Board Subject Test Series. |
Italian:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
| SAT II Subject Test in Italian | 978-0837363080 | $24 | College Board Subject Test Series. |
Latin:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
SAT Subject Test: Latin with CD-ROM (REA) | 978-0738602530 | $18 | Complete review along with two full-length practice tests and answer keys. |
| SAT II Subject Test in Latin – College Board PassBooks | 978-0837363097 | $28 | Study guide with Q&A. |
Chinese with Listening:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
Chinese SAT II: Sample Tests by Association of Northern California Chinese School | 978-1424300907 | $25 | Six complete exams. |
Chinese SAT II Volume 2 by College Board | 978-0979182617 | $25 | CD Included. |
Japanese with Listening:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
How to Prepare for SAT II Japanese by Barron’s | 978-0812082760 | $150 | Nine practice tests and a diagnostic test. Review of Japanese grammar, writing and pronunciation. |
Korean with Listening:
| Resource | ISBN | Best Price | Description |
SAT II Korean with Listening CD – Hollym International Corporation | 978-1565911246 | $45 | Ten complete practice tests and listening comprehension CD. Complete with review and examples. |
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Last Updated: 04/2017.
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