SAT vs. ACT: A Comprehensive Comparison for College Entrance Exams

Deciding whether to take the ACT, SAT, or both is one of the initial crucial steps in your college admissions journey. Both the ACT and SAT are standardized entrance exams designed to measure college readiness, and colleges accept both equally. There is no inherently easier test, and the best fit for you depends on your strengths and familiarity with each section.

Key Differences: Time, Sections, and Scores

The three key differences between the ACT and SAT are time, sections, and scores. Consider the time allocated to each section and what to expect when making your decision. The time provided to answer a question could be a huge factor when choosing the best test for you.

Timing

ACT: The ACT without the essay provides 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete 215 multiple-choice questions, allocating roughly 50 seconds per question. The ACT with an essay provides the same 2 hours and 55 minutes for 215 multiple-choice questions, with an additional 40 minutes for the essay.
SAT: The SAT gives you 3 hours to answer 154 multiple-choice questions, which translates to approximately 70 seconds per question. The SAT is shorter, with more time per 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.

Sections

The ACT and SAT evaluate your skills in reading and math. The SAT format-a Reading and Writing section and a Math section-is consistent, and you’ll take it on the familiar Bluebook testing application.

ACT:
- English: Focuses on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills.
- Math: Covers algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
- Reading: Assesses reading comprehension skills through passages.
- Science: Tests scientific reasoning and data interpretation (optional starting Spring 2025).
- Optional Essay: Assesses writing skills.
SAT:
- Reading and Writing: Integrates reading comprehension, grammar, and writing skills. The reading passages on the SAT are typically short, and each has one question.
- Math: Covers algebra, advanced math, problem-solving, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry. The math section on the SAT gives you a built-in graphing calculator plus all necessary formulas.

Scoring

Understanding how scores are calculated can help you make the most out of test prep and ultimately get a better score.

ACT: You will receive a composite score on a 1-36 scale. This score is an average of your scores on the multiple-choice test sections (each section is scored on 1-36 scale). The optional Writing Test is not included in the composite score. You will receive 5 scores for the Writing Test: one overall score on a 2-12 scale and 4 domain scores, also 2-12, that are based on an analytic scoring rubric.
SAT: You will receive an overall score from 400 to 1600. This score is calculated by adding your score on the Math section with your score on the Reading & Writing section (each section is scored on a 200-800 scale).

Neither test has a penalty for wrong answers.

Content Comparison

The two tests might look similar, but there are some key content differences to keep in mind as you decide which test to take.

SAT Reading and Writing: Focuses on information and ideas, craft and structure, expression of ideas, and standard English conventions.
SAT Math: Focuses on algebra, advanced math, problem-solving and data analysis, and geometry and trigonometry.
ACT English: Focuses on topic development, organization, unity, and cohesion, knowledge of language, sentence structure and formation, punctuation, and usage.
ACT Reading: Focuses on key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and issues.
ACT Math: Focuses on number and quantity, algebra, functions, geometry, statistics and probability, integrating essential skills, and modeling.
ACT Science: Focuses on interpretation of data, scientific investigation, and evaluation of models, inferences & experimental results, data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.
Optional ACT Essay: Focuses on idea & analysis, development & support, organization, and language use & conventions.

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 has no separate science section; it integrates science reasoning into reading passages and math problems. The ACT has a separate science section.

Format and Timing

Understanding the timing breakdown of the SAT and ACT will help you practice under realistic testing conditions and know what to expect on test day. Both the ACT and SAT are long tests, and to succeed at either you’ll need to build endurance and learn to answer questions quickly. Note that the SAT is now offered only as a digital exam.

SAT: Digital everywhere for everyone (paper for students with related accommodations). 98 questions/134 minutes (1 minute 22 seconds per question-41% more time per question than the ACT with Science, and 44% more time per question than the ACT without Science). Always short reading passages, one question each. Built-in math reference sheet and graphing calculator.
ACT: National testing is paper in most places. The online version isn’t widely available. 131 questions/125 minutes (57 seconds per question) without optional Science section. 171 questions/165 minutes (58 seconds per question) with optional Science section. Always long reading passages, 9 questions each. No built-in math reference sheet. Sometimes but not always a built-in graphing calculator.

Students can choose how they take the ACT - either on paper or online. The SAT is now only offered online. The ACT is the only standardized test to offer a test answer key - ACT My Answer Key (formerly TIR) for certain test dates.

Cost Breakdown

The SAT and ACT are comparable in price. Learn about each exam’s price breakdown below.

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SAT:
- Registration: $68
- Late Registration: $34
- Change Fee (Includes Test Date or Test Center changes): $29
- Cancel Fee: $29 or $39, depending on when canceled
- Nonrefundable Waitlist/Standby Fee: Currently unavailable
- First 4 Score Reports: Free
- Additional Score Reports: $14 each
ACT:
- Registration (no Writing): $65
- Writing add-on: $25
- Science add-on (once Science becomes optional): $4
- Late Registration: $38
- Change Fee (Includes Test Date or Test Center changes): $44
- Cancel Fee: Nonrefundable
- Waitlist/Standby Fee (Charged only if admitted to the test center on test day): $69
- First 4 Score Reports: Free
- Additional Score Reports: $19 each

Preparation Resources

SAT: 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. FREE in partnership with Khan Academy®-a not-for-profit. 7 free digital SAT practice tests directly in our testing app, Bluebook with tailored practice questions based on your score.
ACT: 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. $159- $849 in partnership with Kaplan-a for-profit. $299−$4,140 in partnership with Revolution Prep-a for-profit.

Factors to Consider When Choosing

Strengths: Strong in science and data interpretation? ACT may be the better fit. Strong in vocabulary and reading comprehension?
Familiarity: By the time you take the SAT in your junior year, you’re likely to be familiar with everything that’s covered on the test. If you took the PSAT/NMSQT, you’re also familiar with the SAT format.
Format Preference: Some students like paper and pencil, others like the computer. The SAT is now only offered online.
Regional Preferences: Different regions of the United States report varying levels of state preference on the tests. Wisconsin is strongly ACT-focused, with 93% of students taking it. Illinois, by contrast, favors the SAT: only 18% take the ACT, while 96% take the SAT.

ACT Test Changes (Starting Spring 2025)

Beginning in spring 2025, the ACT will begin gradually introducing a revised, shorter version of the exam with the following changes: 44 fewer questions overall, total testing time will be closer to 2 hours, 4 instead of 5 answer choices on Math questions, the Science section will be optional, and a choice of taking the exam digitally or as a paper-and-pencil test.

These changes are scheduled to take place April 2025 for National tests taken digitally, September 2025 for International tests and for National tests taken with paper-and-pencil, and spring 2026 for State & District tests.

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