ACT vs. SAT: Choosing the Right College Entrance Exam

Applying to colleges is a complex process filled with important decisions, and one of the first hurdles many students face is deciding whether to take the ACT or SAT. Both exams are designed to assess college readiness and are widely used in the admissions process. While some colleges have moved towards test-optional or test-blind policies, many still require or recommend these standardized test scores. Understanding the differences between the ACT and SAT is crucial for making an informed decision that aligns with your strengths and preferences.

The Importance of Standardized Tests in College Admissions

Even with the rise of test-optional policies, ACT and SAT scores remain significant for several reasons:

College Requirements: Many colleges and universities in the United States still require SAT and ACT scores from applicants. Some schools that were previously test-optional have recently returned to requiring the exams.
Admissions Advantage: Colleges might not require your SAT/ACT results; however, schools may recommend or at least consider them. Submitting your test scores can bolster your chances of admission, especially if your scores are within or above the average range for accepted students. Colleges typically don’t have “minimum” SAT/ACT scores, but those within a specific range are more likely to be accepted.
Course Placement: Your SAT/ACT test results can also impact your first year’s classes. The scores give colleges insight into your abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. 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 the exam might be placed in an advanced or honors English course.

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Merit Scholarships and Grants: Some organizations and schools offer merit scholarships and grants to students who score high enough on the SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests.
College Matching: Colleges work with the College Board (SAT) and ACT.org to connect with students whose test scores on the SAT, ACT, or PSAT meet the scores that the schools are looking for in prospective students. Have you ever received information from colleges you don’t remember signing up for? That’s because you probably didn’t.
Career Guidance: Scores on your standardized tests could indicate inherent strengths (or weaknesses) in different areas which could help guide your major and career direction.

Therefore, even if you're unsure about attending college, taking the ACT or SAT can open doors and provide valuable insights into your academic abilities.

Overview of the SAT and ACT

Both the SAT and ACT assess skills and knowledge acquired in high school, focusing on reading, writing, and math. They aim to measure critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for college success. 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. “No college has a preference between the two tests,” says Ginger Fay, a consultant for Green Apple College and Guidance, a college admissions consulting firm. “They’re like two children. They love them both the same. They just want them to be good."

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However, the tests differ significantly in format, timing, content, and scoring.

Key Differences Between the SAT and ACT

Format and Structure

SAT:

Digital Format: The SAT transitioned to an adaptive digital format in March 2024. The new digital SAT test is computer adaptive. It’s a “smart” test that chooses the next module of questions to present to the student based on how the student answered the questions in the previous module.
Sections: The SAT is broken down into two sections: a 64-minute reading and writing section and a 70-minute math section.
Timing: The SAT is a shorter test of two hours and 14 minutes rather than three hours.
Calculator: Students are allowed to use graphing calculators on the math section of the new version of the SAT. The new test no longer offers a “no calculator” section.

ACT:

Paper and Online Options: Students can choose how they take the ACT - either on paper or online. The ACT test intends to preserve the paper format.
Sections: The ACT is composed of a 35-minute reading test, 45-minute English test, 60-minute math section, and 35-minute science test. The ACT test includes optional writing and science sections, and the SAT test does not.
Timing: 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.
Science Section: The ACT includes a science section, while the SAT integrates science reasoning into reading passages and math problems.

Timing and Pacing

SAT: The SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes. 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.
ACT: Overall, the ACT test gives students less time per question than the SAT test. The ACT Reading section offers more generous time allotments at one minute per question. “Because the SAT test combines Reading and Writing topics, students are free to choose how to spend their 71 seconds per question. While some students might benefit from completing easier questions quickly and banking extra time for the harder questions, other students might misuse their time due to the lack of structure. The ACT Math section is shorter overall than the SAT Math section, but it requires a quicker pace. ACT Math gives students about 1 minute 7 seconds per question. The ACT Science section is also rather quick.

Content

Reading Passages: 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.
Math: 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.
Science: The SAT has no separate science section; it integrates science reasoning into reading passages and math problems. The ACT has a separate science section. 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."

Test Environment

SAT: You can take the digital SAT on the device you’re most familiar with-your own laptop, tablet, or school-issued Chromebook.
ACT: 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.

Cost

SAT: \$68
ACT: ACT: \$68 Writing Add-On Fee: \$25 Science Add-On Fee: \$4

Practice Materials

SAT: Offers free, world-class practice. College Board has also expanded its partnership 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. 7 free digital SAT practice tests directly in our testing app, Bluebook.
ACT: 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 from $159-$4,140.

Choosing Between the SAT and ACT: Factors to Consider

Timing Preference: If you prefer more time per question and like to think through problems thoroughly, the SAT may be a better fit. If you work well under pressure and can answer questions quickly, the ACT's faster pace might suit you.
Reading Comprehension: If you are a strong reader, the ACT is the best choice for you. 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."
Math Skills: The math tested by the ACT is slightly more advanced than that tested by the SAT. On the other hand, SAT problems are more likely to involve clever problem solving techniques that stress critical thinking as much as the math content itself.
Science Aptitude: If you excel in science, the ACT's dedicated science section could be an opportunity to showcase your skills. However, remember that the ACT science section emphasizes data interpretation and reasoning rather than specific scientific knowledge.

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Test Format Preference: If you prefer taking tests on a computer and are comfortable with an adaptive format, the digital SAT might be appealing. If you prefer paper-based tests, the ACT offers that option.
Practice Resources: Consider the availability and accessibility of practice materials. The SAT offers free, comprehensive practice resources through Khan Academy, while the ACT's official practice materials are more limited.
Learning Style: Some students take both tests and score well, while others fare significantly better on one based on their learning style and academic strengths.

Dispelling Common Misconceptions

Colleges Don't Favor One Test Over the Other: You may have heard that colleges in some states prefer the SAT while others favor the ACT, but this isn’t true. Colleges don’t have a preference. All colleges that accept or require an admission test accept the SAT.
The ACT Science Section Doesn't Require Extensive Science Knowledge: "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."

The Bottom Line

Both the SAT and ACT can help you stand out on college applications, access scholarships, and plan for your future. The key is to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences, and then choose the test that best aligns with your individual profile. 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.

SAT vs. ACT Score Conversion

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. The table below offers a breakdown of this data. 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."

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