ACT vs SAT: Navigating the Standardized Testing Landscape for College Admissions

The ACT and SAT are the two most widely recognized standardized tests used in the college admissions process in the United States. Both tests evaluate your skills in reading and math. As you navigate the college admissions process, one of your first decisions is whether to take the ACT, SAT, or both. There is no single answer as to which test is "better," as colleges accept both equally. The best way to determine which test will best reflect your academic potential is to do a trial run of both exams.

Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT

While the ACT and SAT may seem similar at first glance, there are key distinctions that set them apart. The three key differences between the ACT and SAT are time, sections, and scores. Choosing the best fit for you depends on your familiarity with each section and the time provided to complete them.

Time Allocation

The time provided to answer a question could be a huge factor when choosing the best test for you. The ACT without the essay provides 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete 215 multiple-choice questions. This means you have roughly 50 seconds to complete each question. The ACT with an essay provides the same 2 hours and 55 minutes for 215 multiple choice questions. Once complete, you’ll have an additional 40 minutes for your essay. The SAT gives you 3 hours to answer 154 multiple-choice questions. This means you have roughly 70 seconds to complete each question. The SAT gives you between 41% and 44% more time per question than the ACT-depending on whether or not you take the Science section-so you can show what you know, not how fast you are.

Section Structure

The ACT has required multiple choice sections on English, Reading, Math, and Science, plus an optional Writing section. The SAT has three sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW), Math, and Essay, the last of which is optional. The EBRW section includes a Reading Test and a Writing and Language Test. The most obvious difference is the SAT's lack of a science section, but there is scientific content within the test's EBRW section.

The ACT is an assessment that tests students on their understanding of their high school curriculum. ACT Math (60 questions, 60 minutes) covers algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The ACT’s emphasis on practical language skills, as opposed to memorizing a long list of complex vocabulary, can make it more relevant for many students. The ACT evaluates your ability to understand language in context, which many students find to be a more natural skill. The SAT primarily focuses on reasoning, in-depth problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

Scoring Systems

The ACT and the SAT both have complex scoring systems that evaluate students in several ways. At the sectional and composite levels, the ACT score range is 1 to 36 per multiple-choice section and a composite score that is the mean of these four sections (also 1 to 36). SAT sectional scores are reported between 200 and 800, and the composite score is the sum of the two (400-1600). Both exams score essays separately, from 2-12 on the ACT and 2-8 on the SAT.

The ACT scoring system includes reporting category scores within each multiple-choice section, which are given as percentages of correct answers. ACT students receive percentile rankings at the national and state levels and College Readiness Benchmark indicators. The SAT scoring system features subscores within the individual tests; these are similar to the ACT's reporting category scores. The SAT's cross-test scores, however, have no parallel in the ACT scoring system. Cross-test scores are drawn from questions on multiple SAT tests. SAT subscores and cross-test scores are reported on respective scales of 1-15 and 10-40.

For the SAT, the national average in 2023 was 1024 out of 1600 for a composite score. The score is broken down into ERW - evidence-based reading and writing - and math scores. The two scores are added up to give you your composite score. For example, if you scored a 680 on ERW and a 510 on math, your composite score would be 1190. With the ACT, the national average in 2023 was 19.5, with 36 being the perfect score. The ACT also breaks down into individual scores in English, mathematics, reading and science. For the ACT, the component scores are averaged to give the total score, rounded to the nearest whole number. A 22 for English, 24 on math, 18 on reading and 20 on science would result in a 21 for the ACT.

You can use tools to convert your ACT scores to SAT scores or convert your SAT scores to ACT scores. You can use the table to approximate your score or can look up the school of your choice here and check out their reported ACT/SAT Test Score data.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Test

Neither test is inherently easier. Questions on the ACT and SAT have very similar levels of average difficulty - so it really comes down to student preference. Colleges accept both the ACT and the SAT equally, so neither one is "better" to take universally. Consider the time and what to expect for each section when making your decision.

Read also: Tar Heels' Championship History

Academic Strengths

Consider your strengths: Strong in science and data interpretation? ACT may be the better fit. Strong in vocabulary and reading comprehension? The ACT has a dedicated science section, while the SAT does not (it instead includes a little science in the reading and math sections). Therefore, a student who has a strong science background should consider taking the ACT. If you’re interested in studying a STEM field, the ACT may be a better fit for you.

The ACT also allows students to utilize a calculator on all math questions, while the SAT restricts calculator use for some sections. The ACT also has a considerable emphasis on algebra, buy the ACT also tests geometry - which makes up 30 to 45 percent of the math section - and matrices, graphs of trig functions, and logarithms.In contrast, geometry figures into less than 10 percent of the SAT math section. Trigonometry accounts for about 7 percent of the ACT but less than 5 percent of the SAT. If you struggle with math, the ACT may be a better fit for you as that subject only counts for a quarter of the final score. The ACT also allows you to use a calculator for the entire test, whereas the SAT only allows a calculator for specific sections.

Students who prefer a faster-paced test or having their calculator may want to take the ACT, while students who would prefer to have more time for each question and a shorter overall test may want to take the SAT.

Testing Preferences

Students can choose how they take the ACT - either on paper or online. The SAT is now only offered online. Some students like paper and pencil, others like the computer. The ACT is the only standardized test to offer a test answer key - ACT My Answer Key (formerly TIR) for certain test dates. This means you can choose to get your answer key back with your test and see the questions you missed and which you got right. The SAT is digital everywhere. You can take the digital SAT on the device you’re most familiar with-your own laptop, tablet, or school-issued Chromebook. When taking the ACT on a weekend, it’s still paper and pencil in most places. If you do take the ACT digitally on the weekend, you’ll be assigned a device you may not be familiar with.

College Goals

Part of the college admissions process is figuring out if you want to take the SAT or ACT, the most commonly used standardized tests for high schoolers. Talk to your guidance counselor and college coaches about the specific requirements for each school on your list to determine which test would be right for you.

The Evolving Landscape of Standardized Testing in College Admissions

The admissions process is always evolving, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some private and public colleges have changed their use of standardized test scores. As you begin the college application process, it is important to know which schools use standardized tests in the admissions process and if they favor one test over the other.

Test-Required, Test-Optional, and Test-Free Policies

While some colleges have gone test-optional in recent years, a majority of schools still requires the ACT, SAT, or other standardized test scores from applicants. Even schools that don't require test scores often recommend them. As a result, your ACT/SAT scores still matter for college admissions! In general, higher ACT/SAT scores mean you're more likely to gain an acceptance letter.

Test-Required: These institutions require all applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores. Examples include California Institute of Technology, Harvard College, Yale University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, The Cooper Union, University of Central Florida, Auburn University, Purdue University-West Lafayette, Florida International, Gallaudet University, University of Alabama, Thomas Aquinas College.
Test-Optional: These institutions allow students to choose whether or not to submit ACT or SAT scores. Examples include Bowdoin College, Colby College, Barnard College, Middlebury College, Washington University in St. Louis, Haverford College, Bates College, Davidson College, Hamilton College, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Wesleyan University, Colorado College, Vassar College, Rhode Island School of Design, Smith College, Skidmore College, Franklin and Marshall College, Macalester College, Bucknell University, Bryn Mawr College, Mount Holyoke College, Whitman College, Gettysburg College, Clark University, Brandeis University, North Carolina State University-Raleigh, Emerson College, Southwestern University, Union College (NY), Truman State University, George Washington University, Rollins College, Stevens Institute of Technology, St. Olaf College, St. John's College-Annapolis, Sewanee: University of the South, Baylor University, St. Lawrence University, Allegheny College, Baldwin Wallace University, Lake Forest College, Washington College, DePauw University, John Brown University, Hendrix College, Agnes Scott College, The College of New Jersey, Augustana College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Yeshiva University, Drake University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Marist College, Chapman University, Abilene Christian University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, Elon University, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. University of North Georgia, Hofstra University, Presbyterian College (SC), St. Mary's College of Maryland, Ithaca College, University of Hawai'i at MƒÅnoa, Knox College, University of North Texas, University of Puget Sound, Earlham College, Taylor University, Elmhurst College, University of Houston, Oklahoma State University, Loyola University Maryland, California Lutheran University, DePaul University, Quinnipiac University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wheaton College (MA).
Test-Free: These institutions do not consider ACT or SAT scores in the admissions process. Pitzer College is an example of a test-free institution.

Even at test-optional institutions, submitting scores can be advantageous. Colleges might not require your SAT/ACT results - but schools may recommend or at least consider them. Submitting your test scores is only half the battle - you also need to score high enough. Colleges are looking for students with competitive results. Colleges typically don't have "minimum" SAT/ACT scores, but applicants who have scores within a specific range are more likely to be accepted.

The Role of Standardized Tests in Merit Scholarships and Course Placement

Many merit-based scholarships and honors programs require standardized test scores. The prestigious National Merit Scholar program, for example, is based on a student’s score on the PSAT, a test that prepares high school juniors for the SAT and ACT.

Your SAT/ACT test results can also impact your first year classes. The scores give colleges insight into your abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. As a result, high SAT/ACT scores could mean you "test out" of certain courses and the school waives these requirements. For example, a student who did well on the English portion of one of the exams might be placed in an advanced or honors English course.

Standardized Tests and NCAA Eligibility

The NCAA eliminated the need for a standardized test score as of 2023. Instead, the NCAA requires a 2.3 grade point average or better in a specific set of 16 courses. This means that if you’re interested in being a college athlete, you should consider these requirements when scheduling your classes.

Four years of English Three years of math (Algebra I or higher)Two years of science (including one year of lab, if offered) One year of extra English, math or scienceTwo years of social science Four years of other (world language, comparative religion, philosophy or more study in English, math, science or social science)Four years of English Two years of math (Algebra I or higher)Two years of science (including one year of lab, if offered) Three years of extra English, math or scienceTwo years of social science Four years of other (world language, comparative religion, philosophy or more study in English, math, science or social science) Though the SAT and ACT aren’t necessary for NCAA eligibility, you should still consider taking the tests.

Preparing for the ACT and SAT

How you prepare for a standardized test can vary greatly for students of different backgrounds. There are many test preparation classes and services, and there are free test-prep services from Kahn Academy and Schoolhouse.world. You can prepare to take the SAT or ACT online, in a class, in private tutoring sessions, or with books and mobile apps. That includes taking practice tests, targeting skills you need to work on, and understanding the structure of the exam.

The College Board has partnered with Khan Academy®-a not-for-profit-to offer Official SAT Prep, where you can further develop the knowledge and skills that are tested on the SAT. Students can also join free peer-to-peer SAT tutoring through Schoolhouse.world, where small groups of students learn together with guidance from top-scoring peers. By comparison, ACT practice materials are on different platforms than the ones used during the actual test. The ACT offers only 1 free downloadable practice test and 2 web-based practice tests (1 timed and 1 untimed). ACT also partners with various for-profit test prep companies to offer self-paced, live online, and in-person tutoring up to $4,140.

Here are some general tips for preparing for either test:

Register.
Get oriented.
Become familiar with the content and feel of the exam.
Pinpoint your weaknesses.
Take a timed practice test and use the provided scoring guidelines to figure out your score.
Set a score goal.
Make a study schedule.
Review important content.
Learn test strategies.
Understand the test format.
Take a diagnostic test.
Use reputable study materials.
Master time management.
Practice regularly.
Focus on content review.
Review grammar rules, sentence structure, and rhetoric.
Brush up on algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and problem-solving.
Build endurance.
Track progress.
Stay healthy.

Additional Factors to Consider

Equity and Accommodations

ACT is known for its commitment to equity and impact. This expands to our test too! We offer accommodations for all types of diverse learners.

Predictive Validity

The ACT is predictive! One of your first college admissions decisions is deciding whether to take the ACT, SAT, or both.

Cost

The basic ACT and SAT fees are similar. The ACT costs $68.00 with the Writing section, while the SAT is $68. The registration fee for the SAT is $68. The ACT is $68 Writing Add-On Fee: $25 Science Add-On Fee: $4 Additional score reports$14 for each recipient, including your choice of scores $20 for each recipient and each score.

Test Format and Administration

The SAT uses the adaptive testing model, meaning as you take the test, your answers determine what questions will be presented in the next module, with the level of difficulty matched to your ability for a truer assessment of your understanding of the subject matter.

tags: #ACT #vs #SAT #requirements