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?

SectionDurationQuestionsSkills Measured
English45 minutes75 questionsStandard written English and rhetorical skills
Mathematics60 minutes60 questionsMathematical skills students have typically acquired through their secondary education
Reading35 minutes40 questionsReading comprehension
Science35 minutes40 questionsInterpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills required in natural sciences
Writing Test (optional)35 minutes1 promptWriting skills emphasized in high-school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses
SectionDurationQuestionsSkills Measured
English45 min75 questionsStandard written English
and rhetorical skills
Mathematics60 min60 questionsMathematical skills
students have typically
acquired through their
secondary education
Reading35 min40 questionsReading comprehension
Science35 min40 questionsInterpretation, analysis,
evaluation, reasoning
and problem-solving
skills required in natural
sciences
Writing Test
(optional)
35 min1 promptWriting 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

 ACTSAT
Test length (without the optional essay)3 hours3 hours
Mandatory sections43
Math content25% of overall score; entirely multiple-choice33% of overall score; trigonometry and fill-in questions
Science contentTests science reasoning (analysis, interpretation, problem solving)Science not included
EssayOptional, last section, 35 minutesOptional, last section, 50 minutes
Scoring3 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
GuessingNo penalty for wrong answersNo penalty for wrong answers
Score historyThe test taker decides which scores are sent to the universitiesThe test taker’s entire score history is sent (depending on university requirements)
FeesFor 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 sessions7 per year in and outside the U.S.7 per year in the U.S.; 5 per year outside the U.S.
Subject TestsDo not existOptional: depend on each university’s requirements or appreciation
 ACTSAT
Test length
(without the
optional
essay)
3 hours3 hours
Mandatory
sections
43
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
EssayOptional, last section,
35 minutes
Optional, last section,
50 minutes
Scoring3 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
GuessingNo 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)
FeesFor 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 existOptional: 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.