Since 2017, Northsiders and other Illinois students have been studying for and taking the SAT in their junior year of high school.  Now, after 8 years, Illinois is returning to the ACT. 

Why the Switch?

After 8 years of renewed contracts between the College Board and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Illinois schools are implementing the ACT as standardized testing and graduation requirements for high school juniors.  The Illinois State Superintendent, Dr. Tony Sanders, officially announced this switch in the ISBE’s weekly message on May 14, 2024.  The ACT and ISBE will have a 6-year contract beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.  The State Procurement Office ultimately decided the switch awarded the vendor more points.  75% of points were based on technical specifications and commitment to diversity, and 25% on price.  According to Dr. Stuber, the transfer between tests offered has been in the works since the fall of 2023.

What is the Difference Between the ACT and the SAT?

The biggest differences between the ACT and SAT are the number of sections and the subjects covered.  The SAT only covers math and English/reading, whereas the ACT includes math, reading/English, and science.  However, the science section is not meant to evaluate students’ understanding of the subjects, but it is an assessment of students’ abilities to understand and analyze data.

The ACT claims to display a larger expanse of a student’s high school curriculum and career than the SAT because it has a science section. Finally, the ACT is out of 36 points compared to the SAT’s 1600, leading to less differentiated scores.

About the Pre-ACT

On April 10, all underclassmen will take the Pre-ACT, which has never been administered at Northside. The Pre-ACT serves as a practice test for the ACT, similar to how the PSAT serves as a test for the SAT.

The Pre-ACT is a shorter and easier version of the ACT, meant to prepare students for the ACT with similar questions, format, and testing environment.

Students should prepare for the Pre-ACT and SAT similarly to the PSAT and SAT. Common study methods include practice problems, review videos, test prep courses, and practice tests.

The ACT website includes helpful resources, such as practice problems and tests, and helpful advice on the test and how to prepare. Ms. Noa, the college and career counselor, recommends all of these options and prep books that you can borrow for free from any Chicago Public Library.

Principal Patricia Stuber wants to assure Northsiders not to worry about the change in the test. “Speaking as a former in-class English teacher, the PSAT and SAT are very closely aligned to the AP classes Northside offers,” she said.  Dr. Stuber also recommends that students reach out to their teachers and administrators with any questions and check the weekly announcements for more information about the ACT and Pre-ACT.