ACT The ACT assesses skills in English, math, reading, and science reasoning. You'll receive a score on each section and a composite score between 1 and 36. The ACT is offered during the school day for free to juniors at NC public high schools. Otherwise, it costs approximately $60-85 (with writing).

SAT The SAT assesses critical thinking skills using questions in two categories: Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. The total possible score range is 400-1600, and it costs approximately $55.

From a college admission standpoint, different schools have different requirements for the ACT/SAT. Some are test optional, while others require test scores. Some don't require them for admission, but do require them for scholarships. You should check the requirements of individual schools.

Students tend to do better on one test or the other. We recommend taking both. Even if you apply to test-optional schools, good scores can only help you!

At Vance Charter, all juniors will take the ACT in the spring (Feb 2024) and all sophomores take the pre-ACT in the fall (October 2023). These are free testing opportunities. Sophomores can use their pre-ACT scores as a guide to direct their test prep and prepare for testing their junior year.

Here are links to some of the free test-prep resources that are available:

College Board SAT practice tests
Princeton Review SAT practice tests and events
Kahn Academy SAT practice tests
Kahn Academy SAT math practice tools
ACT sample practice questions
Princeton Review ACT practice tests and events