SAT® PREP – SAT VS. ACT
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT?
They are not many… But here is the list anyway.
ABOUT THE ACT
The American College Testing, or ACT, was first introduced in 1959, as a competitor to the SAT. The ACT is now as widely accepted by U.S. universities as the more well-known SAT and is used in the undergraduate admissions process. The ACT college readiness assessment is a curriculum and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college.
The ACT is developed and administered by ACT, Inc., a non-profit organization.
WHAT ARE THE ACT SECTIONS?
Section | Duration | Questions | Skills Measured |
---|---|---|---|
English | 45 minutes | 75 questions | Standard written English and rhetorical skills |
Mathematics | 60 minutes | 60 questions | Mathematical skills students have typically acquired through their secondary education |
Reading | 35 minutes | 40 questions | Reading comprehension |
Science | 35 minutes | 40 questions | Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills required in natural sciences |
Writing Test (optional) | 35 minutes | 1 prompt | Writing skills emphasized in high-school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses |
Section | Duration | Questions | Skills Measured |
---|---|---|---|
English | 45 min | 75 questions | Standard written English and rhetorical skills |
Mathematics | 60 min | 60 questions | Mathematical skills students have typically acquired through their secondary education |
Reading | 35 min | 40 questions | Reading comprehension |
Science | 35 min | 40 questions | Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills required in natural sciences |
Writing Test (optional) | 35 min | 1 prompt | Writing skills emphasized in high- school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses |
The ACT consists of four sections, which all feature multiple-choice questions. There is also an optional Writing Test, where the test taker is supposed to write an essay following a prompt.
SAT VS. ACT
ACT | SAT | |
---|---|---|
Test length (without the optional essay) | 3 hours | 3 hours |
Mandatory sections | 4 | 3 |
Math content | 25% of overall score; entirely multiple-choice | 33% of overall score; trigonometry and fill-in questions |
Science content | Tests science reasoning (analysis, interpretation, problem solving) | Science not included |
Essay | Optional, last section, 35 minutes | Optional, last section, 50 minutes |
Scoring | 3 scores of 1-36 per subject area Writing score: 2-12 | 2 scores of 200-800 per section. Total: 400-1600 Writing score: 3 scores of 2-8 |
Guessing | No penalty for wrong answers | No penalty for wrong answers |
Score history | The test taker decides which scores are sent to the universities | The test taker’s entire score history is sent (depending on university requirements) |
Fees | For testing anywhere outside the U.S.: $150.00 (No Writing) $166.50 (With Writing) | For testing anywhere in Europe: $49.50 (No Essay) + $47.00 Non-U.S. Regional Fee $64.50 (With Essay) + $47.00 Non-U.S. Regional Fee |
Test sessions | 7 per year in and outside the U.S. | 7 per year in the U.S.; 5 per year outside the U.S. |
Subject Tests | Do not exist | Optional: depend on each university’s requirements or appreciation |
ACT | SAT | |
---|---|---|
Test length (without the optional essay) | 3 hours | 3 hours |
Mandatory sections | 4 | 3 |
Math content | 25% of overall score; entirely multiple-choice | 33% of overall score; trigonometry and fill-in questions |
Science content | Tests science reasoning (analysis, interpretation, problem solving) | Science not included |
Essay | Optional, last section, 35 minutes | Optional, last section, 50 minutes |
Scoring | 3 scores of 1-36 per subject area Writing score: 2-12 | 2 scores of 200-800 per section. Total: 400-1600 Writing score: 3 scores of 2-8 |
Guessing | No penalty for wrong answers | No penalty for wrong answers |
Score history | The test taker decides which scores are sent to the universities | The test taker’s entire score history is sent (depending on university requirements) |
Fees | For testing anywhere outside the U.S.: $150.00 (No Writing) $166.50 (With Writing) | For testing anywhere in Europe: $49.50 (No Essay) + $47.00 Non-U.S. Regional Fee $64.50 (With Essay) + $47.00 Non-U.S. Regional Fee |
Test sessions | 7 per year in and outside the U.S. | 7 per year in the U.S.; 5 per year outside the U.S. |
Subject Tests | Do not exist | Optional: depend on each university’s requirements or appreciation |
SO, WHICH TEST TO TAKE?
Above all, you should ask that question to the college/university you are applying to. While most of them accept both, exceptions do exist, especially for specific undergraduate programs.
Once decided, come and talk to us at SIGHT Test Prep, and we will guide you through your entire undergraduate admissions process.