The ACT and the SAT are the two most prominent standardized tests used for college admissions. At one point in time, the ACT was popular in the Midwest and the SAT was prevalent in the remainder of the country, but this is no longer the case. Most students take both tests and most colleges will accept either test score with your application.
The tests are quite similar. The ACT has four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The SAT also has four sections: Reading, Writing & Language, Math (No Calculator), and Math (Calculator). The ACT English and SAT Writing & Language sections are nearly indistinguishable at first glance, and the ACT Reading and SAT Reading sections also resemble each other. Although the SAT does not have a Science section, science questions are spread throughout all sections of the test. Both tests offer an optional essay, required by some colleges.
The following chart shows the most important similarities and differences between the two tests:
| SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|
Scoring scale | 400-1600 | 1-36 |
Guessing strategy | No penalty for wrong answers | No penalty for wrong answers |
Length | 3 hours | 2 hours, 55 minutes |
Length with optional essay | 3 hours, 50 minutes | 3 hours, 25 minutes |
Sections | Reading, Writing & Language, Math (no calculator), and Math (calculator) | English, Math, Reading, and Science |
Scored sections | 1. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (200-800) | 1. English (1-36) |
Question format | Multiple choice and "grid-in" math questions | All multiple choice questions |
Math | Two sections; one allows calculator | One section; calculator allowed |
58 questions (45 multiple choice, 13-grid-in) | 60 questions | |
80 minutes | 60 minutes | |
One question worth 4 points; all others worth one point | All questions worth one point | |
Assesses pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, geometry, coordinate geometry, statistics, trigonometry, and data analysis | Assesses pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, geometry, coordinate geometry, statistics, trigonometry, and data analysis | |
Emphasis on Algebra and Algebra II | Emphasis on pre-Algebra and geometry | |
Has more word problems than the ACT | Has fewer word problems than the ACT | |
Reading | Five long passages | Five long passages |
1 literature passage, 2 history or social studies passages, and 2 science passages | 1 literature passage, 1 humanities passage, 1 social studies passage, 1 natural science passage (and 1 additional passage from these subject areas) | |
52 multiple choice questions | 40 multiple choice questions | |
65 minutes | 35 minutes | |
Some science-based questions | Science questions in science section only | |
Higher text complexity than the ACT | Lower text complexity than the SAT | |
8-10 vocabulary questions | 2-4 vocabulary questions | |
English/Writing & Language | Four passages | Five passages |
44 multiple choice questions | 75 multiple choice questions | |
35 minutes | 45 minutes | |
Assesses usage, grammar, sentence structure, rhetorical skills, and punctuation | Assesses usage, grammar, sentence structure, rhetorical skills, and punctuation | |
Some science-based questions | Science questions in science section only | |
Higher text complexity than the ACT | Lower text complexity than the SAT | |
Science section | Science questions in all sections | Dedicated Science section |
Essay | Optional essay section | Optional essay section |
Most students today are taking both tests multiple times. If you plan to only take one test, we recommend that you do a bit of research to determine whether that test should be the ACT or the SAT. First, check with the colleges and universities to which you plan to apply. The admissions department may require one or the other, and may also offer scholarships based on scores from a specific test. Then, if the college accepts both tests, take an ACT and an SAT practice test to see which one plays to your strengths. You can download a free ACT test from the ACT website and a free SAT test from the College Board website.