Both, the ACT and the SAT, are standardized college entrance exams intended to test students’ readiness for college, and both of them are practically accepted by all four-year universities and colleges in the United States. They also happen to be significantly different in many ways.
So, which test is better to take- the ACT or the SAT? Let’s examine a few of the major differences:
CRITERIA | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Subject Matter | Curriculum-based: testing a student’s knowledge of the subjects you took in high school | Reasoning-based: designed to measure a student’s literacy, writing skills, and problem-solving abilities |
| Duration of Test | 3 hours and 25 minutes | Slightly longer than 3 hours and 45 minutes |
| Structure | 5 major sections that are always presented in the same order: English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing section. Does not include a “experimental” section. | 3 major sections: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. They are broken into ten1 shorter sections whose order varies from test to test. |
| Writing Section | Optional2: 30-minute essay | Mandatory: includes multiple choice grammar questions and an impromptu 25-minute essay assignment |
| Score Range | Score Range of 1 to 36 for each of the four multiple choice sections (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science) and a composite score of 1 to 36 that is the average of the four multiple choice sections | Score of 200 to 800 for each of the three sections (Critical Reading, Math, and Writing). The total SAT score is the sum of the scores for the three sections, with a maximum of 2400 points |
| Test Predictors3 | ACT Plan | PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) |
1 – One of the ten SAT sub-sections is considered an “experimental” section (which may be critical reading, mathematics, or multiple-choice writing questions) and is not included as part of the score, but it is used to try out new questions and to compare scores from one test with those from earlier tests.
2 – Though the ACT Writing section is optional, many colleges and universities require the ACT Plus Writing as a part of your application.
3 – If you’ve already taken the PSAT in 10th or 11th grade and scored well on it, the SAT may be the right test for you. Similarly, your results from PLAN, ACT Inc.’s test for 10th graders can be a good indicator of how you’ll perform on the ACT.
Which test is right for you?
Though the SAT and ACT are different in many ways, neither test is objectively easier than the other. In fact, many students who take both tests usually end up with comparable scores. That being said, many students find that one test is better suited for their test-taking style and study habits.
We recommend that you take practice exams for both the SAT and ACT so you can get familiar with the style of each and find out which test is the right fit for you. For further help and guidance, just call Dolphin Academic Prep and we’ll be happy to schedule a consultation and a diagnostic test.