The SAT and ACT are standardized tests used for college admissions in the United States. While quite similar, each test has some key differences in format, content, and scoring that make one exam potentially a better fit for different students. Here we break down the unique elements of the SAT and ACT to help determine which test you are likely to perform better on when applying to colleges.
Test Format
The overall test designs differ between the two exams, which impacts timing and question styles.
SAT Format
The SAT contains 4 sections:
- Reading – 65 minutes for 52 questions
- Writing and Language – 35 minutes for 44 questions
- Math – 80 minutes for 58 questions
- Optional Essay – 50 minutes for 1 essay prompt
Without the essay, the SAT takes 3 hours total. The verbal and math sections each comprise half of your score. Questions get progressively harder through each section.
ACT Format
The ACT contains 5 sections:
- English – 45 minutes for 75 questions
- Math – 60 minutes for 60 questions
- Reading – 35 minutes for 40 questions
- Science – 35 minutes for 40 questions
- Optional Essay – 40 minutes for 1 essay prompt
Without the essay, the ACT takes 2 hours and 55 minutes total. Your score is an average across the 4 subject sections. The questions progress randomly in difficulty.
Content and Skills Tested
While both measure verbal reasoning, math, and writing skills, the exams differ slightly in focus.
SAT Content
The SAT focuses more on:
- Reading comprehension
- Algebra and quantitative reasoning
- Grammar conventions and diction
- Analyzing texts across science, social studies, literature
- Applying math concepts to real-world scenarios
ACT Content
The ACT focuses more on:
- Rhetorical skills
- Trigonometry and complex math formulas
- Metaphor, analogy, synthesis questions
- Scientific analysis skills
- Speed and accuracy
This leads to the ACT having more straightforward math and science questions, while the SAT emphasizes textual analysis and application-based math.
Scoring Scale
Both exams score on a 1-36 point scale for each section and provide a composite score averaging performance across all test sections:
- SAT Score – 400-1600 total based on 200-800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 200-800 for Math
- ACT Score – 1-36 average composite score
However, because the ACT has 4 test sections averaged instead of the SAT’s 2 section scores, small differences in ACT subject scores impact the composite more.
The optional essays provide additional 2-8 Writing scores that most colleges don’t require.
Difficulty and Prep Time
The exams are designed for different difficulty levels and prep expectations:
SAT Difficulty
The CollegeBoard designs the SAT to reflect what students have covered in school up to 11th grade and be an assessment of cumulative knowledge. This leads to a focus on reasoning and reading comprehension over specific content mastery. The questions get progressively harder through utilizing clever distractor answers, complex passages, and multi-step problems.
ACT Difficulty
The ACT aims to test complex concepts and high-level skills associated with first-year college coursework. The content assumes you’ve mastered more advanced 11th and 12th grade math like trigonometry. There is greater emphasis on speed, accuracy, and content retention. The random difficulty design also reduces ability to adapt.
Consequently, the ACT is generally considered more difficult and fast paced, requiring concentrated study to master the advanced content within timed constraints.
When to Take Each Test
Timing and preparation expectations differ slightly between the exams:
SAT Preparation
The SAT is often taken for the first time in spring of junior year after foundational college prep academics are complete. The reasonably broad content coverage allows studying grammar rules, math formulas, and reading comprehension skills over several months to build reasoning ability.
ACT Preparation
The ACT covers more advanced concepts, so is often first attempted after completing courses like Algebra II and Trigonometry. The ACT is also more commonly taken senior fall when content knowledge is fresher. Condensing review to focus on speed and accuracy rather than extensive new learning is emphasized.
Correlation with Academics
Performance on each test aligns with different academic strengths:
SAT Correlations
Higher SAT scores are associated with:
- Strong reading and writing abilities
- Verbal reasoning and vocabulary knowledge
- General math proficiency
ACT Correlations
Higher ACT scores align with:
- Success in math and science courses
- Comfort applying math formulas
- Retention ability and fact recall
- Test taking speed and accuracy
Which Test is Right for You?
Given these differences, the better test often depends on the student. Consider these factors:
- If humanities and language arts are strengths, the SAT may suit you better.
- If you excel in math and science classes or prefer objective questions, try the ACT first.
- If you’re a slower, methodical test taker, the SAT’s timing and structure may fit you well.
- If you’re comfortable with trigonometry formulas and responding quickly, the ACT plays to those skills.
- If you retain facts and classroom concepts well, the content-focused ACT may be a good match.
- If you are a strong reader who excels at textual analysis, the SAT will likely show your abilities.
With both tests accepted by all US colleges, it makes sense to take practice tests of each kind to gauge which better fits your academic profile and testing style. While often portrayed as rivals, selecting the right exam can help you put your best academic foot forward during college admissions.
