Understanding which test is the right decision for you is a conversation that most parents initiate during one’s high school years. But, many fumbles over the differences between the two exams. Students are often unable in deciding the right option for themselves.
Both the SAT and the ACT are recognized by all United States institutes and are now accepted by many liberal arts schools in India. These tests, within themselves, gauge and measure a student’s critical thinking skills, which cover a broad range of topics ranging from problem-solving skills to comprehension reading. These, therefore, become necessary tools for one’s college experience and hence these tests become almost a recommended task.
At the offset, there is almost no advantage in taking the SAT over the ACT or vice-versa. This is because both exams offer equal opportunities to students while applying. Each college uses either of the two test scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. The differences arise between the actual content of these exams and the scores of these tests. The differences are due to the redesigning of the SAT in 2016.
SAT vs ACT – The Comparison
The following subsections therein highlight the structural differences between the ACT and SAT:
Acceptance of scores
Every college in the United States of America accepts the SAT or ACT scores. A few colleges in India now accept these scores, however, students don’t need to take these tests mandatorily.
SAT vs ACT: General Overview of the Test Structure
The test structure of the SAT is as follows –
- Reading
- Writing and Language
- Math
The test structure for the ACT is as follows –
- English
- Math
- Reading
- Scientific reasoning
- Essay (optional)
Timing and Number of Questions
The length of the SAT remains a standard three hours for the complete test. The length of the ACT remains 2 hours and 55 minutes if one chooses not to attempt the essay and 3 hours and 40 minutes if one chooses to complete the essay.
The following is the breakup per section –
ACT
| Section | No. of Questions | Time per section |
| English | 75 questions | 45 minutes |
| Math | 60 questions | 60 minutes |
| Reading | 40 questions | 35 minutes |
| Scientific reasoning | 40 questions | 35 minutes |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes |
SAT
| Section | No. of Questions | Time per section |
| Reading | 52 questions | 65 minutes |
| Writing and Language | 44 questions | 35 minutes |
| Math without Calculator | 20 questions | 25 minutes |
| Math with Calculator | 38 questions | 55 minutes |
Any individual who cannot manage time, can go for SAT over the ACT as it provides one with the leisure of time. It offers more time per question in almost all its sections of the exam. Hence, any student who struggles with time management and cannot work under this stress would be advised to take the SAT.
ACT vs SAT: Calculator Policy
One of the significant advantages one has in taking the ACT over the SAT is that the ACT allows every math question to be solved using a calculator. However, the SAT contains a subsection within its paper wherein one cannot use a calculator to solve math problems.
This section contains 20 questions, which is 25 minutes long, making it the shortest section in the SAT (In comparison, the calculator section includes 38 questions about 55 minutes long).
As a result of this, many choose to take the ACT to avoid the hassle and stress of trying to solve math questions under time restrictions in an already stressful environment.
The Optional Essay
The optional test mainly draws out the significant difference between the content of the two tests. Suppose one chooses to take the essay in the ACT. In that case, one reads a short passage about a particular issue and is then asked to provide their own opinion about the given issue, which differs from the perspective presented in the passage.
The only necessary skills required for this section would be good comprehension skills to understand the question and the author’s point of view and formulate your argument in a limited period.
Test Score Range of SAT and ACT
- The SAT is scored on a score range of 400 to 1600.
- The ACT is scored on the score range of 1 to 36. Your final score is the average of the four sections.
Cost Analysis
- The SAT is 101 USD without an optional essay. It will cost 117 USD including the essay.
- The ACT is 155 USD without the essay section and 166.50 USD including the essay.
Although this breakdown does provide one with some insight on each test, the decision ultimately remains at the student’s discretion. However, the best way to decide which would be a better alternative is to take practise tests for both and then proceed to compare certain variables to understand which remains the best fit for you.
After completing these tests, one can calculate their scores using the guides and then compare the scores. The easiest way to compare the two is to convert the ACT score to a total SAT score to analyse better.
These tests would expose one to factors such as how one functions under a time crunch or comfortable solving some math questions without a calculator. These factors would ultimately help zero down on these two tests. Students will be able to decide for themselves.
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