SAT Scores vs. ACT: A Comprehensive Comparison

As students approach the college application process, a critical decision involves choosing which standardized exam to take: the SAT or the ACT. Both tests assess the skills and knowledge necessary for college and career success. Colleges accept scores from either test, making it essential for students to determine which assessment aligns better with their strengths and abilities.

Understanding the Concordance Between SAT and ACT Scores

"Concordance" refers to establishing a relationship between scores on assessments that measure similar constructs. A sound concordance allows students and professionals to compare scores from similar assessments to inform decisions. ACT and the College Board have completed a concordance study to examine the relationship between scores on the ACT test and the SAT. As a college entrance exam, higher education institutions use scores to help predict class profiles and overall academic success.

Compass has developed tools to help you compare your scores and make the right decision. While a concordance table can tell you what your SAT score maps to on the ACT, it does not indicate whether your SAT scores are significantly stronger than your ACT scores. For that insight, you need to take a practice test of each test. You can use a comparison tool or graph.

Key Differences Between the SAT and ACT

Instead of listing all the minor differences, let's focus on the key distinctions between the SAT and ACT.

Format: Digital vs. Paper

The SAT is fully digital and adaptive; the ACT remains fixed in both the paper-based and digital format (which students select when registering). Tech-savvy students may find the SAT’s format smoother. The SAT is administered on the Bluebook testing application.

Read also: How to Get Old SAT Scores

Timing and Pacing

The SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes, while the new ACT is 2 hours and 5 minutes and consists of three sections: English, Math, and Reading. Each section is scored from 1-36 and a student’s Composite score is the average of all three. The Science section is optional. If a student chooses to add the optional 40-minute Science section, they will receive a Science section and STEM (Science + Math Sections) score in addition to their Composite score.

The SAT allows slightly more time per question; the ACT moves faster. The ACT provides less time per question, creating more time pressure than the SAT. Students who work quickly may thrive on the ACT, while those who prefer careful reasoning often prefer the SAT.

Math Section: Depth vs. Breadth

The SAT emphasizes algebra and data analysis; the ACT includes geometry, trigonometry, and some precalculus. The ACT covers more ground, while the SAT digs deeper. Students use their own calculator for the paper-based ACT.

Reading and Writing Sections

The SAT combines reading and grammar into short, focused passages. The SAT Reading and Writing section consists of 54 short passages (usually 2-4 sentences) followed by one question. The ACT English section has five passages and 44 questions. The reading passages on the SAT are typically short, and each has one question. The reading passages on the ACT are always long, and each has 9 questions.

Science Section

Only the ACT has a separate Science section, which is optional (although it is recommended students still take it). The SAT integrates scientific reasoning into other questions. Choose based on your student’s comfort with data and charts. The ACT has an optional Science section. This is not included in the student’s Composite score of English, Math, and Reading. Students who opt to take the Science section will receive a separate Science score and a STEM score reflecting the Science and Math section scores. The Science test is all about data interpretation - rapidly interpreting and analyzing diagrams, graphs, and tables. The SAT has no separate science section; it integrates science reasoning into reading passages and math problems.

Read also: ACT Scores for Loyola

Scoring Systems

The SAT is scored between 400-1600 total points (200-800 per section), while the ACT is scored on a composite scale of 1-36 (which takes the average of the three required section scores). If you’re comparing SAT vs ACT scores, they can be converted using concordance charts for easy comparison.

Adaptive Testing

The SAT is adaptive at the module level. Your performance on the first module will dictate the difficulty of the second module. Each section consists of two individual, “stage adaptive” modules. The level of difficulty of the questions in the second module is determined by the student’s performance in the first module.

Test Availability and Format

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.

Calculator Use

The math section on the SAT gives you a built-in graphing calculator plus all necessary formulas. ACT encourages students to bring their own calculator, but it restricts which calculators may be used.

College Preferences and Score Submission

Colleges don’t have a preference. All colleges that accept or require an admission test accept the SAT.

Most colleges superscore both tests-combining your student’s best section results. You can also choose which test dates to send.

Preparation Resources

The 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.

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.

Fees

The SAT registration fee is $68. The ACT is $68, with a Writing Add-On Fee of $25 and a Science Add-On Fee of $4. Additional score reports are $14 for each recipient for the SAT and $20 for each recipient and each score for the ACT.

Choosing the Right Test

Neither test is inherently more difficult, but due to the differences between the tests, some students find one more challenging than the other. One test isn’t “better” - the right one is the one that fits your student.

To determine which test is a better fit:

Take a practice test for each. We offer free practice tests for both the SAT and ACT under the same testing conditions as the actual exams. Sign up today to take a free, full-length SAT and ACT practice test.
Compare your scores and pacing. Then, use our detailed score reports to compare scores, pacing, and comfort before committing to the best-fit test.
Consider your strengths. Choose the exam where you feel most confident and perform more consistently.

SAT vs. ACT: Quick Facts

Feature	SAT	ACT*
Format	Digital everywhere for everyone (paper for students with related accommodations).	National testing is paper in most places. The online version isn’t widely available.
Timing	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).	131 questions/125 minutes (57 seconds per question) without optional Science section. 171 questions/165 minutes (58 seconds per question) with optional Science section.
Reading Passages	Always short, one question each.	Always long, 9 questions each.
Separate Science Section	No (science reasoning is integrated across test sections).	The Science section is optional.
Built-in Math Reference Sheet	Yes	No
Built-in Graphing Calculator	Yes	Sometimes but not always.
Registration Fee	$68	ACT: $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.
Official Practice	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. FREE peer-to-peer SAT tutoring through Schoolhouse.world, with small-group sessions led by high-performing students.	$159- $849 in partnership with Kaplan-a for-profit. $299−$4,140 in partnership with Revolution Prep-a for-profit. 1 free downloadable practice test. 1 free timed web-based practice test, 1 free untimed web-based practice test.

*ACT announced their changes as enhancements that offer students flexibility and choice-online or paper, with or without science, with or without writing. Choice may sound appealing, but it might be hard to know which version to choose, which version will be preferred by which colleges, and which version will be available in your area. It may also be difficult to practice and prepare for an exam that has so many variations.

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