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Homeschoolers and the ACT College Admissions Test

When it comes to college admissions, schools all over the country seem to have their own preferences for either the SAT or the ACT. While the schools on the coasts most often prefer the SAT, those in the middle of the country seem to prefer the ACT. Interestingly, many colleges will accept both. In order to determine which test your child should take, check the colleges your child is interested in for their specific preferences. One-third of students tend to do better on the SAT, one-third do better on the ACT; and one-third show no difference in scores between tests. If you have the option of submitting either test to your college-of-choice, have your student take a sample test of each one first, and then study for and take the test that best fits your child and shows their academic skills to advantage!

The ACT is a standardized test that will meet any test assessment requirements by your state. It covers reading, writing, and math, as well as science.


Science is not tested on the SAT, which is why some colleges will prefer the ACT test, since they then don't need to ask you for a subject test in science. In addition, the ACT has an optional writing section, which is similar to the SAT essay scoring method, using a score of 1-6: a 1 means that a student can't put two words together, and a 6 means their writing is excellent. A perfect overall score on the ACT is 36, with the average score around 20, although that varies by state. A score over 21 is good, and over 24 is very good. There are some colleges that will give you great scholarships for scores in the range of 24-28.

The ACT is all multiple choice, and there is no penalty for guessing, so it's a little bit more straightforward than the SAT. Some statistics show that girls will score better on the ACT, which might be something to keep in mind. Currently, the cost of the ACT is $34 if you do not take the essay section, and $49.50 if you include the essay. The additional charge is because they have to pay teachers to read the essays.

Homeschoolers have an advantage in test preparation. Studying for college entrance exams is very valuable for many college-bound high school students. Research has shown that preparation can increase scores significantly. Higher scores can increase your chance for college admission and academic scholarships. It's not a waste of time! Make test preparation a regular part of your high school experience, and it will be much easier for your student to succeed.

Of course, there is more to college preparation than just studying for the ACT. You need to make sure you have prepared your student for college. Failing to aim for college is one of "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Homeschooling High School." Learn how to avoid all 5 mistakes in my free e-mail mini-course.


Article Source: Lee Binz

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