SAT vs. ACT: Key differences between the SAT and ACT
Are you wondering whether the SAT or the ACT is a better fit for your student? Students may take whichever test they prefer (assuming there are available testing locations for both tests). Some students find that the SAT caters to their strengths more so than the ACT, or vice versa. Additionally, the SAT is now only available in digital format, whereas the ACT offers an online testing option at select locations and paper-based testing elsewhere.
Need a quick side-by-side comparison of the tests? Check out our SAT vs. ACT Comparison Chart below for the key differences.
SAT
vs.
ACT
Type of Test:
Content-based test
Type of Test
Type of Test:
Content-based test
Test Format:
Reading & Writing: Two modules, 32 min. each
Break: 10 min.
Math: Two modules, 35 min. each (both with calculator)
Test Format
Test Format:
English: One 35-min. section
Math: One 50-min. section
Break: 15 min.
Reading: One 40-min. section
Science: One 40-min. section (optional)
Writing: One 40-min. essay (optional)
Content Covered:
Reading, grammar & usage, math, and relevant words in context
Content Covered
Content Covered:
Reading, grammar & usage, math, science reasoning (optional), and writing (optional)
Test Style:
Questions are evidence and context-based in an effort to focus on real-world situations and multi-step problem-solving.
- Test Style
- Test Style:
Straightforward – questions may be long but are usually less difficult to decipher.
Scoring:
Math and Reading & Writing are each scored on a scale of 200-800. Composite SAT score is the sum of the two section scores and ranges from 400-1600.
- Scoring
- Scoring:
English, Math, Reading and Science scores will each range from 1-36. Composite ACT score is the average of your scores on the English, Math, and Reading sections, and also ranges from 1-36. If you elect to take the optional Science section, you will receive a separate Science score.
Penalty for Wrong Answers?
No – you do not lose points for incorrect answers.
Penalty for Wrong Answers?
Penalty for Wrong Answers?
No – you do not lose points for incorrect answers.
Score Choice?
Yes – you can choose which set(s) of SAT scores to submit to colleges. However, some colleges require or recommend that students submit all scores. Students should review the score reporting policy of each college to which they plan to apply.
Score Choice?
Score Choice?
Yes – you can choose which set(s) of ACT scores to submit to colleges. However, some colleges require or recommend that students submit all scores. Students should review the score reporting policy of each college to which they plan to apply.
Difficulty Levels:
Reading & Writing Module 1 has prompts of three difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard. Your performance decides if you progress to an easier or more challenging Module 2. This concept applies to Math as well, with Math Module 1 having three difficulty levels, and Module 2's version chosen based on your first Math stage performance.
- Difficulty Levels
- Difficulty Levels:
For the English and Reading sections, the difficulty level of the questions is random. For the Math section, questions generally increase in difficulty as you progress through the section. For the Science section, passages generally increase in difficulty as you progress through the test, and questions generally become more difficult as you progress through a passage.
- Math Levels:
- Algebra, advanced math, problem-solving and data analysis, geometry and trigonometry (formulas provided)
- Math Levels
- Math Levels:
- Arithmetic, algebra I and II, functions, geometry, statistics & probability, and trigonometry (no formulas provided)
- Offered when?
Eight times per year: March, May, June, August, September, October, November, and December (some states offer the SAT as part of their state testing requirements; these tests are not administered on the national test dates)
Offered when?
Offered when?
Seven times per year: February, April, June, July, September, October, December (some states offer the ACT as part of their state testing requirements; these tests are not administered on the national test dates)
Registration deadline?
Typically about 2 weeks before the test date
Registration deadline?
Registration deadline?
Typically about 4-5 weeks before the test date
More Information:
www.collegeboard.org
More Information
More Information:
www.act.org
Related Topics:
SAT or ACT? Find out which test is more popular in your state.
Want to learn more about the ACT? Visit our ACT Test page.
Want to learn more about the SAT? Visit our SAT Test page.
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