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Minority High school students do better on the ACT test than on the SAT test, True or False?
- The ACT isn't better suited for minorities, all it is, is an alternative to the SAT. The main difference between both tests is that the ACT is designed to test what the student has learned in High school, while the SAT tests for the problem solving ability of the student. As a result a student's performance on ether test is more about the type of student than the racial background of the student. A student with better reasoning skills, and not necessarily good school grades will do better on the SAT, while a student who is meticulous at their school work and with good grades will do better on the ACT.
- Both the Collegeboard (makers of the SAT) and ACT Inc (makers of the ACT) argue that their test is a better predictor of a high school student's readiness and likelihood to succeed in college, but some groups like The National Center for Fair & Open Testing disagree and have cited a few weaknesses in both tests. They argue that both tests are coachable and biased towards students from wealthier homes, who can afford the intense tutoring required to do well on either test.
- So, in response to the question about whether or not minority students do better on the ACT than on the SAT, the answer to that question is NO. Minority students have an equal opportunity to do well on either test and this is dependent on what type of student the individual is (a critical thinking student versus a student who is good at regurgitating classroom material) and how much preparation they invest in the process.
- A student who gets an introduction to the test as early as 8th grade via free online practice from the Collegeboard or summer SAT/ACT Programs, like the Summer SAT Prep CAMP @ Georgia Institute of Technology (see www.Gogetprep.com for details) significantly improves the chances of a much higher score because they give themselves a chance to get familiar with the strategies and concepts being tested by the test makers.
