By Lisa Hough

In April, the Juniors will have to change all that they learned about the ACT.

“They will need to be familiar with the format of the SAT,” said Mr. Bob VanDis, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Plainwell high school.

The ACT tests students on what they have learned in school, but the SAT is more of an aptitude test. It tests you on reasoning and verbal abilities.

Originally, many people were not excited about switching over to the SAT when they have spent 8 years taking tests like MEAP, or the M-Step. All these tests were to prepare you for the ACT.

“At first I was not pleased. Our teachers had done a lot of work to help all Juniors prepare for the ACT. They knew the test and had developed practice activities in their classes for the ACT… But, now I am excited for it. Teachers are learning about the SAT… “ said VanDis.

Even some students were not too happy about the new change.

“Ever since elementary school they’ve taught us how to take the ACT. Now, we only have six months to learn the SAT. It’s causing our Junior class more stress,” said Abby Deal ‘17.

Although students are already judging the SAT, it may end up having advantages. The ACT has five subjects as to the SAT only has three. Also, with the ACT students have 30-60 min on the subjects, but the SAT has 70 min. tests.

The scoring for the SAT is also different from the ACT. With the ACT, in order to get a perfect score students have to get a 36. The SAT, students have to get 2,400 points.

The state will pay for the SAT just like it did with the ACT. The state gave 17.1 million dollars for the next 3 years.
“If a student paid for the SAT he or she would pay $54.50,” said VanDis.