What is the Difference Between ACT and SAT?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The ACT and SAT are both widely recognized standardized tests used in college admissions, but they have some key differences:
- Time: The ACT has a slightly shorter duration (2 hours and 55 minutes, plus a 40-minute optional essay) compared to the SAT (3 hours). The ACT requires you to move faster through the questions, while the SAT allows more time per question for every section.
- Sections: The ACT is comprised of a reading test, English test, math section, and a science test, while the SAT has a reading test, English test, and math section. The ACT also offers an optional essay component, which can highlight your writing skills.
- Scoring: Both tests evaluate your skills in reading, writing, and math, but they have different score ranges. The ACT has a composite score range of 1-36, while the SAT has a composite score range of 400-1600.
- Test Content: The ACT is considered more curriculum-based, while the SAT has traditionally been seen as more of an aptitude test. However, recent changes to the SAT have lessened this distinction.
- Calculator Policy: The ACT allows calculators for all aspects of the math section, but the SAT has one math section without a calculator.
Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other, and both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. The best way to decide which test is right for you is to take timed full-length practice tests of each type and consider factors like how you handle time pressure and what types of questions you find most challenging.
Comparative Table: ACT vs SAT
The ACT and SAT are both college entrance exams, but they have some differences in terms of structure, content, and scoring. Here is a table comparing the key differences between the two tests:
| Feature | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Sections | 4 (English, Math, Reading, Science) | 5 (Reading, Writing & Language, Math) |
| Time | 2 hours, 55 minutes (with optional writing test) | 3 hours, 50 minutes (with optional essay) |
| Total Score Range | 1-36 (Composite) and 2-12 (Writing) | 400-1600 (Total) |
| Questions | 215 | Varies, but approximately 154 |
| Math Content Areas | Pre-Algebra (34%), Elementary Algebra (24%), Intermediate Algebra (34%), and Trigonometry (7%) | Heart of Algebra (33%), Problem Solving (33%), Advanced Math (34%) |
| Science Section | Yes (35 questions in 35 minutes) | No |
| Essay | Optional (scored separately) | Optional (scored separately) |
Keep in mind that a concorded score is not a perfect prediction of how a student would perform on the other test, and it's recommended to use multiple reliable and valid measures when making decisions based on test scores. You can use the official concordance tables provided by the College Board and ACT to compare SAT and ACT scores.