<p>What does it stand for?
For those of you who’ve taken it; is it easier or harder than the SAT?</p>
<p>american college test… i think it was easier… i like the pressure of time.</p>
<p>some of the questions might be easier, but the timing makes it really hard. and the math tests harder math.</p>
<p>It doesn’t stand for anything.</p>
<p>It’s named after the company that makes it, ACT, Inc. The company name used to stand for American College Testing–a long time ago–but the test name was never an acronym for anything, and until last year was officially called “the ACT Assessment” (pronounced like the word act, not A-C-T).</p>
<p>Wait, it’s really pronounced act, as in acting?! Weird!</p>
<p>We always say A-C-T, not act… I live in the midwest too, so the ACT is the common test around here.</p>
<p>i say A-C-T, at least we say it like that on teh east coast</p>
<p>yeah its pronounced A-C-T here too (texas)</p>
<p>It’s pronounced A-C-T in NY as well! Hah, I guess we’re all wrong? lol</p>
<p>So Minnesota, Maryland, NY, and Texas pronounce it wrong? That’s quite a big area for mispronunciation…</p>
<p>ACT should advertise how to pronounce it, then.</p>
<p>People in the bay area pronounce it as a-c-t just as they pronounce sat s-a-t. The SAT seems to be much more popular here</p>
<p>I’ve always wondered why the SAT wasn’t pronounced sat (as in the past tense of sit). It would be so much easier that way.</p>
<p>Call ACt and ask them. They told me A-C-T</p>
<p>When I say it was called that “until last year”, it’s because they recently started calling it “the A-C-T”, since everyone calls it that anyway.</p>
<p>just like everyone I know calls the SAT…sat. It’s so much easier when it’s in the middle of a sentence.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard ACT or SAT pronounced as a word. Everyone I’ve heard spells them both out as A-C-T, and S-A-T.
interesting.</p>
<p>Yeah, everytime I’ve heard ACT/SAT they’ve always said each letter (Students, teachers, counselors, etc.).</p>
<p>ACT is easier/different than SAT for a lot of people. The questions are generally easier but time is a much bigger factor. I personally like it because of the organization (Nothing like the strange pacing/format of the SAT where you’re constantly changing formats in like 10 different sections; with the ACTs it’s just an essay and 4 block sections). I also love it because of the incredibly easy (IMO) Science and English sections :)</p>
<p>I say sat around those who say sat ans S A T around those who spell it out (I like the former though).</p>
<p>so the ACT isn’t like the SAT because it doesn’t arrange the sections randomly?
how is time a much bigger factor?</p>
<p>The ACT has 4 “block” sections and an optional essay. None of that hectic constantly changing between math and CR/English and having weird timing on each section. It’s like this:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>English Test (45 minutes - 75 questions) - Generally REALLY easy grammar stuff where time isn’t really a problem.</p></li>
<li><p>Math (60 minutes - 60 questions) - Problems become difficult towards the end where time starts to become a factor. I found the math harder than the SAT I math and time was a somewhat bigger factor than SAT I time for math.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>BREAK</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Reading (35 minutes - 40 questions) - Questions are more straight-forward than the SAT I reading questions, but time is a HUGE factor. Unless you’re a fast reader, be SURE to practice this session and work on your timing.</p></li>
<li><p>Science (35 minutes - 40 questions) - Questions are generally really easy and don’t really require in-depth scientific knowledge (basically have VERY basic knowledge of biology/chemistry/physics and know how to read/interpret charts, graphs, tables, etc.). Time usually isn’t a big factor, but it can be if there are a lot of hard questions at the end of each section.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>BREAK</p>
<ol>
<li>Essay (30 minutes) - The essay is a LOT easier than the SAT I essay. It’s always VERY relatable to high school students and VERY opinionated. They’re based on topics like school dress codes, needing a minimum grade to take driver’s education, making people do community service in high school, getting rid of elective courses, etc.</li>
</ol>
<p>Check out the REAL ACT practice book for more detailed information and a look at actual previous exams.</p>
<p>it certainly sounds easier than the SAT. But not enough breaks though.</p>