Standardized Testing: The SAT VS ACT

You probably know that the SAT and ACT are both standardized tests that are used in college admission. However, not all colleges require them. When choosing colleges to apply to, it is important to see if they require an SAT or ACT. Most schools accept either one and don't have a preference, but it is important to always check with the registrar's office!

Since most colleges require an SAT or ACT, most people write one. However, they are quite different from each other and this article will break them down so you can see which one is right for you.

Sections

Although both tests have four sections, the ACT is a broader test with reading, writing, math, science, and (optional) essay sections. The SAT on the other hand has a reading, writing, two math sections (one with a calculator, one without), and an optional essay.

Scoring and Time

The SAT has a scoring system of 200 - 800 for the evidence-based reading score (reading and writing) and a system of 200- 800 pints for the math score (half with a calculator, and the other half without). The overall score is out of 1600.

The optional essay section does not factor into your overall score. Rather, the essay score is given separately. Schools will specify if they want you to take the essay section or not, but if you're not sure -- it's best to contact them.

The ACT has a scoring system of 1 - 36 points for each section. The overall score is out of 36.

Colleges specify what scores are considered to be competitive (higher chance of admission), on their websites.

The SAT takes 3 hours. 35 minutes are spent on writing, 65 on reading, 25 on non - calculator math, and 55 on calculator math.

The ACT takes 2 hours and 55 minutes, with 35 minutes spent on reading 45 minutes spent on writing, 60 minutes spent on math (with a calculator), and 35 minutes on science.

Math

The SAT covers algebra, problem-solving/ data analysis, advanced math as well as additional topics in math. Here is the website for Kaplan, which goes in-depth into exactly what you have to know.

Since the SAT tests both calculator and non-calculator math, it is important to be well versed in basic math skills to get a high score. The ACT does not have a no-calculator section and covers algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. More resources are available here.

Science

Although the ACT is the only test with a designated science section, the SAT does incorporate scientific knowledge through the exam. Therefore, you will have to know science for both. The ACT science section is 40 questions of which 18 are about analyzing experiments, 15 are about evaluating and interpreting data, and the rest is about understanding different scientific ideas. More resources for the ACT are available here. Resources for SAT science are here.

English/ Writing

The English or writing section on the SAT is 44 questions and is about grammar and vocabulary. It is multiple choice and is 35 minutes long. More information is available here.

On the ACT, the same topics are covered and knowledge is displayed through reading passages and editing them. There are 75 multiple questions and it takes 45 minutes to complete. More information on the ACT English section is available here.

Reading

The reading section of the ACT requires the test taker to read multiple passages and answer multiple-choice questions which assess comprehension of the passages. The ACT has 40 questions that must be answered in 35 minutes. On the SAT, test takers must read 5 passages and answer 52 comprehension questions. On the SAT, the writing makes uo half of your evidence-based reading score, and the rest is through the reading section. More information for the SAT is here and for the ACT is here.

Studying for the SAT/ ACT

Studying for the SAT and ACT is a lot of work, and it is recommended to start studying 3 to 4 months before your test date. Most students take the ACT/SAT in the spring of their junior year. Studying is not easy, but luckily there are many resources to help you. In order to prepare yourself, you can use resources like Khan Academy or free tutors that your local school or community center may offer.

Practice papers are a great way to see how much of the content you are learning, and it is recommended to complete at least 2 practice papers. A great tip is to complete diagnostic practice papers. Diagnostic papers assess your initial understanding, so you know what you have to study most and least. You can get free SAT practice and diagnostic papers from Khan Academy, and the College Board. For the ACT, you can get practice and diagnostic papers from the ACT website and from Varsity Tutors.

SATs are typically written 7 times throughout the year, in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. The SAT costs $53 without the essay and $68 with the essay. You can sign up here.

ACTs are typically written in December, February, April, June, and July. It costs $55 to write the ACT without an essay and $70 with the essay. You can register here.

At the end of the day, you can do whatever you put your mind to. Be smart when deciding what test to take by examining your study habits and your personal strong suits. Make sure you plan ahead and do your research. Good luck!