SAT vs ACT

Overwhelmed by the number of standardized tests out there? Don’t worry! For SAT and ACT, you choose either or; you do NOT need to take both. There is no advantage in taking one test over the other. Now let’s find out which is more suitable for you in this blog post.

 

SAT/ACT

Many universities and colleges require either the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. They may not have a minimum score requirement, but it is expected that you send your best scores to the universities that you are applying to. Some universities may not require the Essay or Writing portion as well, so check with your university website to make sure you are fulfilling all their requirements.

 

SAT with Essay

The SAT with Essay has four sections: Reading Test, Writing and Language Test, Math Test, and the Essay (optional). The math test includes a section where students are not allowed to use a calculator. The test takes three hours, and with the optional essay, the total would be three hours and 50 minutes. The SAT features 154 questions. While it does not have a science section, it does incorporate science questions throughout the exam. For students who are strong in math, the SAT might reflect better than the ACT.

ACT with Writing

The ACT with Writing has five sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional). Students may use a calculator for the entirety of the math section. The test takes two hours and 55 minutes, with the optional Writing adding another 40 minutes. The Act features 215 questions. Since the ACT puts more emphasis on verbal skills, the ACT might be a better option for students with a strong English background.

 

So which one do I choose? 

Take a full-length test for both the SAT and ACT to determine which suits best for you. Convert your scores to each other to compare. If you are still unsure of which to choose, these are some differences that might help you decide:

·       Time per question: the SAT offers more time per question on all sections of the exam. 

·       Science section: the ACT dedicates an entire section on scientific data, graphs, and hypotheses, so if you are strong in science, the ACT might be a better option. 

·       No calculator math section: the SAT has a section that doesn’t allow you to use the calculator, so if you struggle with solving math quickly or without a calculator, then ACT math might be better for you. 

·       Math concepts: If you’re good at algebra and data analysis, you’ll likely do well on the SAT. But if you’re good at trigonometric functions and geometry with matrices and logs, then the ACT is a better choice. 

·       Math formulas reference guide: the SAT provides you a diagram of math formulas while the ACT does not. 

·       Evidence-support reading questions: if you are good at pinpointing evidence from texts, then the SAT is a better fit for you. 

·       Chronological reading questions: the SAT follows a chronological order for all reading questions while the ACT doesn’t. 

·       Essay content: take the SAT if you have good comprehension skills. Take the ACT if you can compare and contrast different perspectives on the same issue. 

·       Importance of math in final score: the math comprises 50% of the total SAT score, while the same only applies to 20% of the total ACT score.

At the end of the day, nobody can say which test is easier than the other because of the differences in skillsets. Good luck choosing, and good luck prepping!

Sources

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/act-vs-sat-how-to-decide-which-test-to-take#:~:text=The%20ACT%20lasts%20two%20hours,215%20for%20the%20ACT.&text=The%20ACT%20is%20comprised%20of,and%2035%2Dminute%20science%20test.

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/act-vs-sat-how-to-decide-which-test-to-take#:~:text=The%20ACT%20lasts%20two%20hours,215%20for%20the%20ACT.&text=The%20ACT%20is%20comprised%20of,and%2035%2Dminute%20science%20test.

https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-act

https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat