Key Differences Between College Entrance Exams

by Jessica Frierson and Angie Cutlip, January 2023

The subject of college entrance exams can be intimidating to many homeschool parents. In addition to being teacher, administrator, and all of the other roles you fill, you are your child’s guidance counselor. It is prudent to begin looking into these exams before your child enters high school in order to be well-prepared. Here are the answers to common questions and the key differences between the testing options. 

Which tests are considered college entrance exams?

The ACT and SAT are the two admission tests traditionally required by most colleges for admission. All of the constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina accept SAT or ACT scores in support of an application for admission. The University of North Carolina System website states that, “Homeschool or non-traditional high school graduate applications without standardized test scores will be reviewed holistically.” 

The CLT (the Classic Learning Test) is a new college admissions test. It was designed to take advantage of contemporary technology and testing students on more engaging material. Many homeschool families that have done amore classical approach lean toward this option. The CLT website describes it in this way: “Classic Learning Test (CLT) exists to reconnect knowledge and virtue by providing meaningful assessments and connections to seekers of truth, goodness, and beauty. CLT offers the only standardized tests that can be taken online, emphasize intellectual aptitude and achievement, and are grounded in the liberal arts tradition. The ‘classic’ in ‘Classic Learning Test’ refers to our use of the greatest and most enduring texts that have informed and shaped society.” There is a growing list of colleges that accept this test, mainly Christian colleges.

Will a paper test still be available? 

The College Board has stated that digital testing will replace the paper materials and pencils currently required. Paper SAT test will no longer be available starting in the spring of 2024. The digital version will be adaptive by adjusting the level of difficulty of questions based on the student’s performance. Going digital does not change the location of test sites, and it will continue to be proctored. Students may use their own laptop or tablet, one provided by the school, or a borrowed one from the College Board.

Other reported changes with the digital SAT include:

• A shortened test day with the exam time being reduced from three hours to two
• Allowance of graphing calculators throughout the math portion. Students may bring their own or use one that is embedded in the exam.
• Faster results. Test scores will be available within a few days and will now be augmented by resources for local community colleges, workforce training, and career options in addition to the information about four-year colleges and scholarship opportunities previously included. 
• More concise questions. For example, shorter reading passages and only one multiple choice question on each passage. 

On the other hand, the ACT offers both digital and paper options. According to Janet Godwin, CEO of the ACT, Inc., “We will always have an option for digital.”  For several years, ACT has offered students the opportunity to retake individual sections of the test. However, that option will no longer be available.

The CLT is predominantly taken online, although some schools may use a paper version. Students may take a proctored exam at a participating school on a tablet or computer or a remote-proctored test from their own home using a desktop or laptop computer.  The CLT is the only option that allows in-home testing. Strict guidelines, such as video recording of the test process, are implemented for at-home testing to ensure a credible assessment.

Does the SAT/ACT/PSAT/CLT meet the state annual standardized testing requirements?

The developers of the SAT have eliminated the essay (writing) component of the exam. As a result, the SAT does NOT meet the requirements according to NC statutes for non-public (homeschools) schools that require national standardized tests to assess spelling. The ACT meets the testing requirements ONLY if the essay portion is administered. The PSAT does NOT meet the testing requirements. The CLT10 and CLT8 are acceptable test options.

How do homeschool students register?

Registration for the SAT is found here on the College Board website, and for ACT here; you do not register with the individual high schools. The ACT homeschool code is 969-999. Use homeschool code 970000 for the SAT. To register for the CLT or see test dates, look here.

What financial assistance is available to help cover testing costs?

Families who fall within certain economic guidelines qualify for a fee waiver on the SAT and the ACT. You can learn how to apply for the SAT waiver here. The fee waiver for the SAT covers two exams, two chances to access answer services, and unlimited score reports sent to colleges. Additional benefits are: it will cover the application fees for participating colleges, free CSS Profile™ applications to apply for financial aid from participating schools, and fee reductions for score verification reports, as well as releasing the student from fees for late registration or cancellation.

As for the ACT, the student may apply for up to four fee waivers for the exam. Each time they receive the fee waiver, they may request an unlimited number of score reports sent to colleges. They also receive free access to The Official ACT Self-Paced Course powered by Kaplan® and may request a Waiver or Deferral of College Admission Applications Fee. “To have a college application fee waived,” according to ACT, Inc., “you must submit your fee waiver directly to the college to which you are applying (not to ACT). Information on the waiver for the ACT can be found here. 

Students may apply for assistance to cover up to the full cost of the CLT here and may request assistance up to twice per year.

When should college entrance exams be taken?

Many students choose to test for the first time during the spring of their junior year, then again in the fall of their senior year. Another strategy is to take the ACT in the spring of their sophomore year as a practice (which will meet the standardized test requirement for that year if they complete the essay portion). Visit the College Board website or the ACT, Inc. website for upcoming test dates. Cancellation policies differ between the two, so be sure to find out what to do in the event that your child is unable to take the test on the date they selected.

What can you expect?

The SAT takes three hours and has 180 questions divided into three sections. Most questions are multiple choice although a written answer is required on some math portions. There is no penalty for incorrect answers so guessing at an unknown answer is encouraged. Scores range from 400 to 1600. You can find more specific information about each section at the College Board website. 

SAT Component	Time Allotted (minutes)	Number of Questions/Tasks
Reading	65	52
Writing and Language	35	44
Math	80	58
Total	180	154

Credit: satsuite.collegeboard.org

 

The ACT has 215 questions in four categories. The allotted time is 2 hours 55 minutes. Scores range from 1 to 36. The score for the optional writing test is not calculated into the composite score.

ACT Component	Time Allotted (minutes)	Number of Questions/Tasks
Reading	40	35
English	75	45
Math	60	60
Science	40	35
Writing (optional)	1 prompt	40 minutes
Total	215	2 hours 55 minutes

 

The CLT is a two-hour test. Scores range from 0 to 120, are available within eight business days, and can be sent to an unlimited number of colleges. The three sections each contain 40 questions and include verbal reasoning (40 minutes), grammar/writing (35 minutes), and quantitative reasoning (45 minutes). The use of a calculator is not permitted. An essay section can also be taken, unless the test is done by remote proctor. 

 

One Final Thought

Keep a healthy perspective. Your child’s value is not encapsulated in their test score, nor should you feel that it is reflective of your efforts as their teacher. Many students have succeeded in earning scholarships, gaining admittance to the college of their choice, and excelling in college while lacking an optimum test score. A balanced approach to test preparation can relieve the stress from the pressure to perform while still ensuring that your child is able to make the most of the opportunities available to them.

 

 

Jessica Frierson is a second-generation homeschooler. She is married to Ernie, a retired minister. They have been homeschooling their seven sons and three daughters since 2000. She is a speaker and writer. She serves as the secretary for NCHE, writes for GREENHOUSE, and is the lead blogger for the NCHE blog. 

 

Angie Cutlip resides in Wendell, NC with her husband and two daughters. She received her graduate degree from North Carolina State University. She taught in the Wake County Public Schools for ten years. She began serving the homeschooling community after the birth of her first daughter. She has been homeschooling for over 20 years, serves as a moderator for the NC Homeschooling Facebook group, and is the director of ATC Educational Services.

 

Photo credit: Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash