Differences Between the ACT and the SAT
It is important to know which is the right test for students to take when considering the college admissions process. Colleges accept both standardized test equally; ultimately, the choice is up to the applicant.
Section Formatting
- The SAT consists of three sections: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math
- The ACT consists of four sections: English, Reading, Math, Science
- Both tests have an optional essay portion
- Each section is formatted differently
Length
- The SAT is 3 hours without the essay; 3 hours, 50 minutes with the essay
- The ACT is 2 hours, 55 minutes without the essay; 3 hours, 40 minutes with the essay
Scoring
- The SAT is scored on a 400-1600 scale
- The ACT is scored on a 1-36 scale
Reading
- The SAT has 5 reading passages
- The ACT has 4 reading passages
Optional Essays
- On the SAT, the essay will test students’ comprehension of a source text
- On the ACT, the essay will test students’ ability to evaluate and analyze complex issues
Math
- The SAT math section covers information from Arithmetic, Algebra I and Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Data Analysis
- The ACT math section covers information from Arithmetic, Algebra I and Algebra II, Geometry, and Trigonometry
Science
- On the SAT, there is no science section
- On the ACT, there is one science section testing critical thinking skills
Tools
- On the SAT, some of the math questions do not allow for the use of a calculator
- On the ACT, all of the math questions allow for the use of a calculator
In determining which test to take, students should evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses. Students can also take a full-length practice test for both the SAT and the ACT to get a better gauge of their academic skill sets. The differences between the tests can make one or the other easier or more challenging for students. In determining which test to take, students should consider their content-related abilities, mathematical knowledge, strength in citing evidence for answers, ability to remember details and locations from reading passages, their level of confidence in solving math problems without the use of a calculator, and their preference for types of passage-based topics and questions.
