The SAT vs. the ACT
Most colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT. So which should you take?
It's all about the numbers. Some students end up scoring substantially higher on the SAT; others do better on the ACT. In lieu of a crystal ball, we created The Princeton Review Assessment (PRA) designed to help you determine which test is better fit with your abilities.
To help you zero in on the right exam, here are seven key differences:
ACT questions tend to be more straightforward.
ACT questions are often easier to understand on a first read. On the SAT, you may need to spend time figuring out what you're being asked before you can start solving the problem. For example, here are sample questions from the SAT essay and the ACT writing test (their name for the essay):
SAT: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?
ACT: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating?
The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary.
If you're an ardent wordsmith, you'll love the SAT. If words aren't your thing, you may do better on the ACT.
The ACT has a Science section, while the SAT does not.
You don't need to know anything about amoebas or chemical reactions for the ACT Science section. It is meant to test your reading and reasoning skills based upon a given set of facts. But, if you're a true science-phobe, the SAT might be a better fit.
The ACT tests more advanced math concepts.
In addition to basic arithmetic, algebra I and II, and geometry, the ACT tests your knowledge of trigonometry, too. That said, the ACT Math section is not necessarily harder, since many students find the questions to be more straightforward than those on the SAT.
The ACT Writing Test is optional on test day, but required by many schools.
The 25-minute SAT essay is required and is factored into your writing score. The 30-minute ACT writing test is optional. If you choose to take it, it is not included in your composite score — schools will see it listed separately. Many colleges require the writing section of the ACT, so be sure to check with the schools where you are applying before opting out.
The SAT is broken up into more sections.
On the ACT, you tackle each content area (English, Math, Reading and Science) in one big chunk, with the optional writing test at the end. On the SAT, the content areas (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) are broken up into 10 sections, with the required essay at the beginning. You do a little math, a little writing, a little critical reading, a little more math, etc. When choosing between the SAT and ACT, ask yourself if moving back and forth between content areas confuse you or keep you energized?
The ACT is more of a "big picture" exam.
College admissions officers care about how you did on each section of the SAT. On the ACT, they're most concerned with your composite score. So, if you're weak in one content area but strong in others, you could still end up with a very good ACT score and thus make a strong impression with the admissions committee.
ACT vs SAT: Key differences between the ACT and SAT
ACT vs SAT: which test is a better fit for your student? Students may take whichever test they prefer (assuming there are available testing locations for both tests). If you’re not sure which test your child would prefer, consider the key differences between the ACT and SAT. Some students find that the ACT caters to their strengths more so than the SAT, and vice versa.
Need a quick side-by-side comparison of the tests? Check out our ACT vs SAT Comparison Chart.
SAT
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vs.
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ACT
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reasoning test
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Type of Test
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content-based test
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Critical Reading: 2, 25-min sections and 1, 20-min section; Math: 2, 25-min sections and 1, 20-min section; Writing: 1, 25-min essay, 1, 25-min section, and 1, 10-min section
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Test Format
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English: 1, 45-min section; Math: 1, 60-min section; Reading: 1, 35-min section; Science: 1, 35-min section; Writing: 1, 30-min essay (optional)
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reading, vocabulary, grammar & usage, writing, and math
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Content Covered
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grammar & usage, math, reading, science reasoning, and writing (optional)
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tricky, questions can be phrased in ways that make them difficult to decipher
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Test Style
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straightforward, questions may be long but are usually less difficult to decipher
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Math, Critical Reading, and Writing scores will each range between a 200-800; total SAT score ranges between 600-2400
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Scoring
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English, Math, Reading, and Science scores will each range between 1-36. Composite ACT score is the average of your scores on the four sections; ranges between 1-36
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yes – you lose ¼ of a point for incorrect answers (except on the grid-in math questions)
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Penalty for Wrong Answers?
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no – you do not lose points for incorrect answers
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yes – you can choose which set(s) of SAT scores to submit to colleges
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Score Choice?
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yes – you can choose which set(s) of ACT scores to submit to colleges
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questions increase in difficulty level as you move through that question type in a section (except reading passage questions, which progress chronologically through the passage)
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Difficulty Levels
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difficulty level of the questions is random
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arithmetic, data analysis, algebra I and II, functions, geometry; formulas are provided in the test booklet
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Math Levels
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arithmetic, algebra I and II, functions, geometry, trigonometry; no formulas are provided
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with private schools and schools on the east and west coasts; however, every four-year college in the US accepts SAT scores
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Tends to be more popular?
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with public schools and schools in the Midwest and south; however, every four-year college in the US accepts ACT scores
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seven times per year: January, March or April, May, June, October, November, December
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Offered when?
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six times per year: February, April, June, September, October, December (note that some states offer the ACT as part of their state testing requirements; these tests are not administered on the national test dates)
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typically about four weeks before the test date
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Registration deadline?
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typically about five to six weeks before the test date
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www.collegeboard.com
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More Information
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www.act.org
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