High school students are faced with many decisions during the college application and selection process. One that requires some thought is deciding which, if any, standardized college admissions tests to take.
Some colleges require a student to take either the SAT or the ACT. Others require no test at all (“Test Blind”) and some are “Test Optional.” The College Search shows which exam a particular college might require and FairTest.org keeps an updated list of Test Optional and Test Blind schools.
While some colleges may not require the SAT or the ACT for admissions, these exams are still necessary for many students hoping to attend college, qualify for merit scholarships, or increase the competitiveness of their application. Taking these exams can be daunting, and the journey often begins with the task of choosing to take the SAT, the ACT, both, or neither. That is a wide range of options, outcomes, and preparation.
What’s the Difference between the SAT and ACT?
Both the SAT and the ACT are widely accepted by most U.S. colleges and universities, but they differ in format, content, and overall approach. Each year approximately two million students take the SAT and 1.4 million take the ACT. There is an advantage to understanding how each compares and, importantly, how a student’s learning style and preferences may be used to their advantage by choosing the test that best matches their strengths.
The SAT has two sections (Reading and Writing, then Math) and takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes. The ACT has three core sections (English, Math, and Reading) that take about 2 hours and 5 minutes combined. Science and Writing are both optional add-ons and do not affect the ACT Composite score. The Science section isn’t really a science test in the traditional sense — it’s a data interpretation and reasoning test that uses scientific passages. Students who are fast readers and comfortable with graphs tend to do well on it.
The differences in format create an opportunity for students to take the test that better fits their style. The SAT gives more time per question overall, which can be an advantage for students who are methodical and deliberate. The ACT moves faster, which tends to suit students who work quickly and confidently under time pressure.
The ACT is generally described as the test which measures a student’s knowledge based on high school material, whereas the SAT focuses more on problem-solving and reasoning with that material. One is not better or worse, or harder or easier. They are just different. School counselors can help a student assess which test better fits their learning style, skills, and college goals.
The best way to figure out which test suits a student is to take a practice version of each. For the SAT, students can take a full-length practice test for free on Sharp, which also provides a score breakdown showing exactly where strengths and weaknesses are. The College Board’s official SAT practice tests are available here. The ACT offers free practice tests here.
Both exams have applications for fee waivers and accommodations for students with learning differences. Be sure to know the process and deadlines for each.
Overview of the SAT and ACT
The SAT
The SAT has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly with its transition to a fully digital format. It now includes two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. Here are the key points about the SAT:
· Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes
· Scoring: 200 to 800 per section
· Perfect Score: 1600
· Content Focus: Reading comprehension, grammar, and problem-solving in math
A competitive SAT score depends on the selectivity of the college. As a benchmark, a score of 1280 or above places a student in roughly the top 25% of test takers. The national average in 2024 was 1024.
The SAT website has a list of upcoming exam dates, a description of fees, and other information.
The SAT Goes Digital
One of the most significant changes to the SAT is its shift to a digital format, which started in 2023. Here’s what this means for students:
· Format and Accessibility. The digital SAT is designed to be more user-friendly. Students take the test on a computer or tablet, which can reduce anxiety for those more comfortable with technology. The digital format also allows for features like a built-in graphing calculator for math sections and the ability to flag questions for review.
· Adaptive Testing. The digital SAT uses an adaptive format. Each section (Reading and Writing, then Math) is split into two modules. Every student starts with the same first module, and based on their performance, they’re routed to either a harder or easier second module. Students who perform well on the first module get access to higher scoring ranges in the second. This approach provides a more accurate reflection of a student’s abilities.
· Faster Results. With the digital format, students can expect quicker access to their scores, often within days instead of weeks. This faster turnaround can ease some stress related to college applications and allow for more efficient decision-making.
· Environmental Impact. The digital SAT also reduces the environmental impact associated with printing and distributing paper tests, aligning with a growing trend toward sustainability in education.
The ACT
The ACT has three core sections (English, Math, and Reading), with optional Science and Writing sections. The optional sections do not affect the Composite score. The test is designed to assess a student’s college readiness and is often seen as more straightforward in its questioning style and exam format. Here’s a quick breakdown of the ACT:
· Duration: Approximately 2 hours 5 minutes for core sections; up to 3 hours 5 minutes with Science and Writing
· Scoring: 1 to 36 for each section
· Composite score: The average of the three core sections (English, Math, Reading)
· Perfect score: Composite = 36
· Content focus: Emphasizes critical thinking skills
A competitive ACT score depends on the selectivity of the college. As a benchmark, a composite score of 24 or above places a student in roughly the top 25% of test takers. The national average in 2024 was 19.8.
The ACT website has a list of upcoming exam dates, a description of fees, and more information.
The ACT has been going through significant changes recently. Science is now optional, and the organization has been piloting individual section retesting, meaning students can retake just Math or just English rather than the full exam. These changes make the ACT more flexible than it used to be, but also more complicated to plan around. If your student is leaning toward the ACT, it’s worth checking the current policy on the ACT website before building a prep timeline.
PRO TIP: There is no guessing penalty on the SAT or ACT, so never leave a question blank. If you’re unsure, eliminate as many answer choices as you can and make your best guess from what’s left. In a pinch, some students pick a “Letter of the Day” and use it as their guess for every remaining question, since a consistent guess is just as good as a random one when you’re out of time.
Factors to Consider when Choosing between the SAT and ACT
Choosing between the SAT and ACT largely depends on a student’s personal strengths and test-taking preferences. Factors to consider:
· Math Emphasis: Math makes up half of the SAT (one of two sections) but only one of three core sections on the ACT. Students with strong math skills may find the SAT rewards that strength more heavily. The ACT covers broader math content, including more trigonometry and geometry, while the SAT goes deeper on algebra and data analysis.
· Reading and Writing Skills: The SAT places a greater emphasis on vocabulary and reading comprehension, which might be more challenging for some students. Students who feel more comfortable with straightforward questions may find the ACT to be a better fit.
· Pacing and Stamina: The ACT has three core sections ranging from 35 to 50 minutes each, while the SAT has two longer sections of over one hour each. The SAT offers more time per question, while the ACT moves faster but with questions that tend to be more straightforward.
· Test Format: The SAT is fully digital and taken on a computer or tablet using the Bluebook app. The ACT offers both paper and digital options. Students who prefer working on paper may find the ACT more comfortable.
· If scores are roughly equal: If a student takes practice tests for both and the scores come back similar, the SAT may be the better choice. It has more available prep material, its adaptive format is well-suited to modern practice tools, and it’s increasingly the default at selective schools.
How about Taking Both Exams?
There isn’t a good count of how many students take both the SAT and the ACT, but it is not uncommon. Students applying to more competitive schools may find it to their advantage to take both exams. Colleges don’t have a preference, but students may find that they score better on one exam than the other. Students are not required to report their scores for all of their exam attempts, so taking both, or retaking one or both, can be advantageous. Many colleges combine a student’s best section scores from multiple sittings of the same test into a Super Score. For the SAT, this means the best Reading and Writing score and the best Math score across different test dates. The ACT offers a similar option with its best section scores.
PRO TIP: Don’t take the SAT or ACT without preparing. Take a free practice test to see where you stand, then engage in focused preparation targeting your specific weaknesses. Students who score lower than anticipated or needed to be competitive at a particular school often take one or both again.
Conclusion
Both the SAT and ACT are valuable tools in the college admissions process, and choosing the right one can set the tone for a student’s college journey. Picking the test best suited for a student’s individual strengths, learning style, and college goals is important. No matter which test is taken or retaken, proper preparation is key to demonstrating a student’s full potential.
With thanks to Kim Strauch, Co-founder of Sharp, for her contributions to this article.