ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?
The ACT and SAT are two standardized tests widely used for college admissions in the United States. While many colleges have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies, these exams remain a significant part of the application process for many students. Choosing between the ACT and SAT can be a daunting task. In the class of 2023, 1.9 million high school students took the SAT at least once, up slightly from 1.7 million in the previous year's class, according to College Board data. Nearly 1.4 million students in the class of 2023 took the ACT, a slight increase from the previous year. It's unclear how many students took both tests, but experts say it is common to do so. This article breaks down the key differences between the two tests to help you make an informed decision.
The Purpose of Standardized Tests
Both the ACT and SAT aim to assess a student's readiness for college. They evaluate critical thinking and analytical skills, although they differ in structure, timing, content, and scoring. According to Ginger Fay, a consultant for Green Apple College and Guidance, "No college has a preference between the two tests. They’re like two children. They love them both the same. They just want them to be good."
The Changing Landscape of College Admissions
It's worth noting that some schools that initially went test-optional during the COVID-19 pandemic have reinstated testing requirements for admissions. Emily Mitchell, vice president of education for Sylvan Education, recommends that most students take each test at least once. "For students, now the recommendation is unless you feel like you are absolutely going to bomb it, go ahead and take it and then you should know a couple of things about the schools you’re applying to," Mitchell says. “You should know, ‘What is the average score of students who are accepted?’ 'Is your score at that level or higher?' If so, go ahead and submit it. If it’s not, it won’t be held against you.”
Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT
While both tests cover reading, writing, and math, their approaches and formats vary significantly. The SAT is administered by the College Board, a nonprofit organization that also offers Advanced Placement exams. The ACT is managed by the nonprofit ACT organization.
Format and Structure
One of the most significant changes is the SAT moving to an adaptive digital format in March 2024, resulting in a shorter test of two hours and 14 minutes rather than three hours. The new SAT is broken down into two sections: a 64-minute reading and writing section and a 70-minute math section. With the adaptive format, how students do on a set of test questions determines the difficulty of subsequent questions. This method is used on other standardized tests, such as the GRE, says Allen Koh, CEO of admissions firm Cardinal Education. Students are also allowed to use graphing calculators on the math section of the new version of the SAT. The ACT lasts two hours and 55 minutes, though the 40-minute optional writing test would stretch that to a little more than three and a half hours. The ACT is composed of a 35-minute reading test, 45-minute English test, 60-minute math section and 35-minute science test.
Read also: College SAT Deadlines
Digital vs. Paper
All students now take the SAT digitally. The adaptive testing model means that as you work, your accuracy in answering questions determines what questions will be presented to you in the next module. The level of difficulty will be matched to your ability. So if you answer most questions correctly in the first module of Reading and Writing, for example, the test will adapt and present you with more challenging questions in the second module. The ACT allows you to choose between a digital and paper format. As of early 2025, you can pick if you want to take the test on paper or digitally.
Timing
"In general, the SAT is much more generous time-wise," says Allen Koh. "You have much more time per question so you can really think about each question. If you lose focus easily or you’re a slower standardized test-taker, the SAT is probably better for you." As you can see, the SAT offers more time per question on most sections of the exam, with the biggest increase in time per question on the SAT Math section.
Reading Sections
The SAT format change made questions more concise, and lengthy reading passages were replaced with shorter versions. Now, one question, rather than multiple, is tied to each reading, Koh says. "So if you’re not as strong of a reader or you’re less focused, the SAT could be better for you," he says. "The paradox is that the average question on the ACT is easier, but you just get so much less time per question, and that’s what makes the ACT challenging."
Science Section
Another major difference has to do with science. Looking above at our chart of differences, we can see that the ACT Science section contains 40 questions and lasts 40 minutes. However, ACT Science is now optional and doesn't count towards your composite ACT score. That being said, the SAT does test scientific concepts-just not through a separate Science section.
Math Content
In regard to math content, the ACT and SAT both have a big emphasis on algebra. To start, the ACT has a much larger focus on geometry, which makes up about 30-45% of ACT Math. By contrast, geometry accounts for less than 10% of SAT Math questions. The ACT also tests a few concepts that the SAT doesn't test at all.
Read also: Pre-Med Path
Question Types
If you love multiple choice, especially when it comes to math questions, you might want to stick with the ACT. The SAT, though mostly multiple choice, also has student-produced response questions, which are math questions for which you must fill in your own answer. Student-produced response questions account for roughly 25% of SAT Math, or 11 total questions total.
Evidence-Support Questions
Are you good at pinpointing areas in texts to support your answers to questions? Evidence-support questions are a big part of SAT Reading but are entirely absent on ACT Reading. On ACT Reading and English, all questions are in reference to one of four (for Reading) or five (for English) long passages. As a result, SAT Reading questions are generally easier to follow and thus easier to answer than ACT Reading questions.
Essay Section
The last major difference between the two tests deals with the optional essay. If you choose to take the essay portion of the ACT, you'll read a short passage about an issue and then analyze the different perspectives on this issue. For this optional writing section you'll not only need to have good reading comprehension skills in order to fully realize the strengths and weaknesses of the author's argument, but you'll need strong rhetorical skills too.
Which Test Suits You Best?
The two exams may appeal to different types of students, experts say, though it's important students understand possible misconceptions. For example, the ACT includes a science section, but it doesn't necessarily test someone's aptitude for science concepts, Koh says. "The science section is more of an applied reading section than a science section," he says. "We don’t train people in science for the science section of the ACT, we train people where to find the answers and the answers of how they’re asking these lab setup questions."
Making the Decision
While some students take both tests, experts say that isn't always necessary, and preparing for both presents a challenge due to their differences. Each requires different strategies, so some students may be better off becoming well-versed in one instead of going back and forth between the two, Fay says. To help students make a decision, experts suggest they begin by taking a full-length practice test for each exam and see which is best suited for them.
Read also: Taking SAT Practice Tests
Taking Practice Tests
Instead of just guessing whether you'll be better at the ACT or SAT, the best way to decide is to actually take each test and then compare your scores. To do this, you'll need to find an official practice test for both the ACT and SAT. Official practice tests are the closest you can get to the real deal. Here's what you'll do: choose one official practice test for each exam and then decide on the days you'll take them. As a reminder, each test takes several hours, so make sure you set aside enough time to complete each test without interruption. Once you've completed both practice tests, calculate your ACT and SAT scores using your practice tests' respective scoring guides and then compare your scores. Alternatively, you can compare percentiles for your ACT and SAT scores to see on which test your percentile was higher. If your ACT and SAT scores are nearly or exactly the same, you'll probably perform equally well on either test. So it's up to you, then, to decide whether you'd like to try taking both tests, or whether you'd prefer to take just one.
Quizzes and State Requirements
Another way you can determine which test is right for you is to take a short quiz. If you agreed with most or all of the above statements, the SAT is what you've been looking for. If you disagreed with most or all of the statements, you'll most likely prefer the ACT over the SAT. If you checked "Agree" and "Disagree" an equal number of times, either the ACT or SAT will suit you. Lastly, don't forget to find out whether your state has any specific testing requirements. Some states require all high school students to take the ACT or SAT.
Understanding Score Conversion and Averages
For students interested in comparing scores on the SAT and ACT, the College Board and the ACT organization provide conversion charts to show how composite scores stack up. For the SAT, total scores range from 400 to 1600; for the ACT, the composite score runs from 1 to 36. Those ranges do not include the optional ACT writing test, which is scored separately. The average SAT test score for 2023 high school graduates was 1028, down from 1050 for the class of 2022. The average ACT score for the class of 2023 was 19.5, down from 19.8 for the class of 2022. That marked the sixth consecutive year scores dropped. It's important to understand what these scores mean, Koh says. The SAT typically allows only two or three incorrect answers to earn a perfect score, while test-takers can miss seven or eight questions and still earn a perfect score on the ACT, he says. "We tend to think higher scores are easier to attain on the ACT," he says. "As a college consulting firm, we believe that universities don’t care whether they receive an SAT or ACT. What they care about is percentiles and if the subsection scores make sense considering the major you have indicated."
Costs of the Exams
The costs of the exams also vary and have increased in the past year. The SAT costs $60, up from $52 previously. The ACT costs $68 for only the exam, up from $63 last year, and $93 if the optional writing test is included, compared to $88 last year. Additional fees may apply for other options, such as late registration. Students may also be able to take the SAT or ACT for free with state support or fee waivers.
Registration Fees
- SAT: \$68
- ACT: \$68 (without essay), \$93 (with essay)
- ACT International Students: \$186.50 (without essay), \$211.50 (with essay)
Test-Optional Policies and Score Submission
In recent years, many colleges have shifted to being test-optional with regards to standardized admission tests. These exams may only be an optional part of the college application process for international students (as well as for American students), depending on which college you are applying to. Universities that require the ACT or SAT exam scores with your college application use these scores as one way to measure your skills and college readiness. Standardized tests can be helpful when applying to colleges that do not require test scores, and will not negatively impact your application.
Updated ACT Format (Starting April 2025)
Starting April 2025, students who choose to take the ACT exam online will benefit from several changes to enhance the test experience. These updates include flexibility in taking the science section, shorter overall test durations, and additional time to respond to each question. By September 2025, these enhancements will extend to all students on a Saturday, including those taking the paper-based ACT exam. If you are unable to take the test or cannot travel to an official testing center, you can choose to reschedule (change fees apply). Weekend SAT administrations are available seven times through the end of the calendar year. If you need to reschedule, you will need to cancel and register for a new test, unless you are eligible for a fee waiver.
In-Depth Comparison of Test Sections
Reading Sections: ACT vs. SAT
On both the ACT and the SAT, you are tested on your ability to understand written English. In the SAT, the reading and writing sections are combined. Let’s take a look at how the reading sections on the ACT and the SAT are structured, the types of questions you will be asked on both tests, and how hard these sections are.
Number of Questions and Time Allotment
The ACT has 40 questions based on four reading sections (three with long reading passages, one with two short passages) to answer in 35 minutes. The average time per section is eight to nine minutes. The average time per question is 52.5 seconds. The SAT reading and writing section has 54 questions split into two modules to answer in 64 minutes. You will have 32 minutes to complete each module; the average time per question is 71 seconds.
The reading section is the first part of the SAT and the third part of the ACT.
Test Prep Tips
- The ACT includes line numbers for the reading passages.
- The SAT questions have one dedicated question for each short passage, whereas the ACT may ask questions that are out of order when compared to the reading passage.
- Both tests offer four multiple-choice answer options.
- The SAT will include informational graphics such as charts and graphs. The ACT answers will be text-based. However, one passage may contain visual and quantitative elements as well.
- No prior topic knowledge is necessary for either test.
Types of Questions
The SAT reading and writing section questions have four question categories:
- Information and Ideas: Tests your ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and various informational graphics including tables, bar graphs, and line graphs.
- Craft and Structure: Measures your ability to understand and use complex terms to make connections between texts.
- Expression of Ideas: Tests your ability to revise and improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals.
- Standard English Conventions: Tests your ability to edit texts to conform to standard English structure, usage, and punctuation.
Additional Test Prep Tips
- The SAT passages will represent a variety of subject areas including literature, history/social studies, humanities, and science. The ACT can have any mix of passage types.
- On the ACT, you will have to answer more reading questions in less time, but they are less intensive than the SAT reading and writing questions.
- The SAT will ask more challenging questions, but you will have more time per question to work on them.
- On the ACT, you will retrieve information to answer questions; but on the SAT, you may have to pick the best possible answer by analyzing your choices and eliminating options.
Difficulty Level
The SAT reading and writing questions range in complexity from a ninth-grade reading level to the level of a typical first-year university student.
Which Reading Section Is Better for You?
If you are better at reading passages and quickly finding the right information, then the ACT may be best for you. If you take a little more time to find and understand the main idea when reading, then the SAT may be the wiser choice.
English and Writing Sections: ACT vs. SAT
The SAT Has a Combined Reading and Writing Section, the ACT Has a Dedicated English Section. The ACT English section tests your ability to understand and improve written sentences.
ACT English Section
The English section has 75 questions to answer in 45 minutes, giving you 36 seconds per question. The questions focus on three question categories in the ACT English section:
- Production of Writing questions: These account for approximately 29-32% of the ACT English questions and test how you develop passage topics and understand organization, unity, and cohesion.
- Knowledge of Language questions: These are roughly 15-17% of the ACT English questions and test your ability to maintain style and tone and make effective word choices.
- Conventions of Standard English questions: These cover about 52-55% of the ACT English questions and test how well you apply the rules of sentence structure, punctuation, and usage.
Additional Test Prep Tips
- There are five passages on the ACT.
- The ACT English test offers four multiple-choice answer options.
- The ACT answers will be text-based only.
- No prior topic knowledge is necessary for the ACT English test.
- English is the first ACT section.
Math Sections: ACT vs. SAT
The math sections on both exams test your understanding of formulas, concepts, and computation up to the twelfth-grade level.
Number of Questions and Time Allotment
The ACT has 60 questions to answer in 60 minutes, giving you 60 seconds per question. The SAT has 44 questions to answer in 70 minutes, giving you one minute and 35 seconds per question (95 seconds).
Test Prep Tips
- You can use a calculator on all the questions in the math section of the SAT.
- You can use a calculator on the ACT math section.
- All ACT math questions are multiple choice with five possible choices.
- Most of the SAT math questions are multiple choice with four possible choices.
- The SAT features 75% multiple-choice questions and 25% student-produced responses (SPR).
- On the SAT math section, you may have several scenario-based questions.
- Math is the second section of the ACT and the SAT.
Types of Questions
There are two question categories in the ACT math section:
- Preparing for Higher Mathematics questions: These questions make up 57-60% of the math section.
The SAT math section covers four types of math questions:
- Algebra questions: These test your ability to analyze, solve, and create linear equations and inequalities, and also solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques.
- Advanced Math questions: These assess your understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations.
- Problem-Solving and Data Analysis questions: These questions test your ability to apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and apply unit rate; and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable data.
- Geometry and Trigonometry questions: These measure your geometric and trigonometric problem-solving skills in area, volume, lines, angles, triangles, right triangles, trigonometry, and circles.
Additional Test Prep Tips
- The SAT provides a list of basic formulas for you to use on the test.
- The ACT does not provide any formulas - you must memorize them all.
Difficulty Level
Both tests touch on trigonometry, but only at basic levels. Every ACT math question is multiple choice, whereas the SAT has multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses (SPR), which require you to solve problems and directly enter your answers in the grids provided on the answer sheet, rather than selecting from multiple-choice options.
It is worth noting that you will have a 5% better chance of guessing the correct answer on the majority of the SAT math questions because they are multiple choice with four options instead of five. However, SPR questions have no choices and are nearly impossible to guess correctly.
Which Math Section Is Better for You?
If you have a strong grasp of higher math formulas and concepts and prefer straightforward questions, then the ACT is better for you. If you have a broader but less deep understanding of math and have a hard time remembering formulas, then consider the SAT.
Essay Sections: ACT vs. SAT
The essay section of both the ACT and SAT is the written portion of each exam that tests your ability to read, analyze, and create or explain an argument. While the essay is optional for those taking the ACT, the SAT optional essay is only offered as part of a state’s accountability assessment program, and it does not affect the scores you receive in the other test sections. While you do not have to write the essay on either test, many selective schools require it.
How Is the SAT Essay Different From the ACT Essay?
The ACT requires you to write one essay in 40 minutes. You will receive one writing prompt that describes an issue and three individual perspectives. After you read the prompt, you then select and develop one of the provided perspectives or develop your own. The SAT requires you to write one essay in 50 minutes. The SAT uses the same structure on every test, but changes the reading passage. The SAT prompt tends to be much longer and more complex than the ACT prompt.
How Are the ACT and SAT Essays Graded?
Your ACT essay is graded with a single subject matter score on a scale of 2 (lowest score) to 12 (highest score). The score is a rounded average of four separate domain scores, which test your proficiency in:
- Ideas and Analysis: Here, you will be evaluated on whether you generate productive ideas and engage critically with multiple perspectives.
- Development and Support: This grade measures your ability to construct an argument with details and supporting information.
- Organization: Here, you will have to arrange your ideas with clarity and purpose.
- Language Use and Conventions: You will be graded on your ability to use grammar, syntax, word choice, mechanics, and the style and tone used to communicate your main ideas clearly.
Two different people grade the SAT essay. Each person will score your essay on a scale of 1 to 4 in three areas or dimensions: reading, analysis, and writing. Those scores are added up to produce three final essay scores in the ranges of 2 (lowest score) to 8 (highest score), one in each area.
Additional Factors to Consider
Besides the content and format of the tests, consider the following:
- Available Resources: Are there more resources available for one test over the other in your school or community?
- Peer Support: Which test are your friends taking? Studying together can be beneficial.
- Teacher Familiarity: Which test are your teachers more familiar with? Their guidance can be valuable.
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