Chariot Learning
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Curriculum
    • Areas Chariot Learning Serves
  • Services
    • SAT & ACT Prep
    • SAT/ACT TestFlip
    • Academic Coaching
    • Subject Tutoring
    • Proctored Practice Tests
    • GRE Prep
    • College Essay Coaching
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Contact
January 7, 2022 by Mike Bergin

What is the PreACT?

The world of education would be so much easier to navigate if all the old tests stayed the same, right? That said, most would agree that positive change means more than passing familiarity. Back in the day, New Yorkers like me never even thought of the ACT, let alone pretests like the PLAN or more recently the ACT Aspire. Today, teens across the Empire State and nation at large toggle freely between the SAT and ACT. Even better, schools have been increasingly taking advantage of the longitudinal assessments attached to those flagship college entrance exams. Hence, the question many parents find themselves asking: “What is the PreACT?”

For the sake of comparison, the PreACT plays a similar role as the PSAT in terms of providing a sneak preview into the structure and content of a related admissions test while delivering useful data to students and school districts alike. The PreACT and PSAT differ in that the former is a 10th grade test where the latter may be offered in 10th grade but assumes greater importance in 11th grade. Of the two, only the PSAT serves as the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test.

Neither the PreACT nor the PSAT carry weight in college admissions decisions, which leads many to wonder why they matter at all. However, taking the PreACT offers a number of benefits. Most of the reasons why a student might want to want to take the PSAT apply:

PRACTICE AND PREDICTION
The PreACT is tightly aligned with the ACT score, with scores based on the ACT 1–36 scale. The PreACT is significantly shorter with fewer items per section than the full ACT and lacks the Writing Test. Nonetheless, the exam provides a fair prediction of student performance on ACT English, Math, Reading, and Science.

COLLEGE READINESS
ACT has long been focused on the issue of college readiness and has used its exams to assess College Readiness Benchmarks. The PreACT continues that noble work.

INTEREST INVENTORY
The PreACT will also have students complete the ACT Interest Inventory, which provides a range of insights from which majors might be a good fit to which occupations might be most fulfilling.

LOTS OF DATA
The new breed of vertical assessments offered by both ACT, Inc. and the College Board excel at generating avalanches of aggregated data quantifying achievement across a variety of content areas. High schools cannot really dig deep into ACT data, but the PreACT is different because test scores are sent directly to educators and administrators to slice, dice, and parse individual and aggregate performance.

Ultimately, the PreACT is not an admissions test but serves as an effective precursor to what is currently the leading college entrance exam. Taking the test may cost a few precious hours on a weekend but the returns can be worth the effort. But don’t worry if your school doesn’t offer the PreACT or offers it at an inconvenient time; you can derive most of the benefits of this test along with some other very important ones by taking a full-length, proctored practice ACT.

ACT PreACT

Previous articleResolved to Be BetterNext article Girls with Bright Futures
Mike Bergin
Tens of thousands of students a year prep for the SAT & ACT through programs Mike Bergin created or organized. After more than 25 years of intensive experience in the education industry, he's done it all as a teacher, tutor, director, curriculum developer, blogger, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Helping high schoolers with tests, school, and life is what Chariot Learning is all about. Let us know how we can help you!

Latest Posts

  • Five Admissions Tips for High School Juniors
  • Prep and Priorities
  • Understanding PSAT/NMSQT Scores
  • Testing and Admissions Information for the HS Class of 2025
  • Submit Your College Applications Before Pumpkin Pie

Subscribe to Mike’s Podcast

Subscribe to Tests and the Rest

Roots2Words

LOOKING TO SELF-PREP?

Learn about TestFlip, the ultimate in self-directed supplemental SAT/ACT prep, powered by Chariot Learning.

Also subscribe to College Road, our free email newsletter delivering expert insights, news, admissions action steps, and more.

Testimonials

Overall, Ryan definitely improved his scores thru the help of Kaeti and thank you very much. We highly recommend Chariot Learning and will defintely use this resource for our youngest.

Donna, Pittsford mom

Read more testimonials...

PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is the ultimate college admissions industry podcast. Join Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley every Tuesday and Friday as they discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts.
© 2023 Chariot Learning, LLC. All rights reserved.