‘Which exam do I take: ACT or SAT?’ is a common question most students encounter when going to study abroad. The ACT and the SAT are the two most prevalent and nationally renowned standardized tests, and each has its own set of challenges. Furthermore, they both cost money, take a few hours to finish, and a few weeks to study, and the results of either might possibly provide you with merit scholarships that can be used to your college tuition. So, what is the difference between ACT and SAT? Before deciding which test to take, you can use this comprehensive SAT vs ACT guide which lists out everything you need to know about the two.
In this article on SAT vs ACT, you will find some test-specific information, as well as a few differences that the test-takers usually notice. Make sure you can make an informed decision about your future if you’re preparing for college and evaluating your testing alternatives.
Overview Of SAT
SAT, also known as the Scholastic Assessment Test is owned, developed, and published by the College Board, a non-profit organization in the US. It is a standardised exam that assesses a student’s critical thinking abilities and understanding in order to predict how well they would do in college-level courses. The concept of this test was birthed in 1926 and has undergone several adjustments (the most recent in 2016) to reflect changes in education levels, expectations, and technology.
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Duration
The SAT is a timed aptitude examination. The test should last 3 hours in total, with an additional 50 minutes allocated for those who choose to take the optional essay. In case you decide to opt for the essay writing section, you can take tips from our guide on how to write a good college essay. This does not account for the time required for breaks.
Each component is also divided into timed segments to ensure that each student has an equal chance of completing the full test. The sections are timed as follows:
| Section | Timing |
| Reading | 65 mins |
| Writing and Language | 35 mins |
| Math without Calculator | 25 mins |
| Math with Calculator | 55 mins |
| Essay (optional) | 50 mins |
Costs
The College Board sets the fees for the SAT exam. At the moment, the test costs are –
- 46 dollars (without essay)
- $600 (with essay)
Additional costs may apply depending on your circumstances. For example, if you’ve already taken the test or registered for it late, you may be charged an extra price. However, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a fee waiver for the exam.
Overview Of ACT
The American College Testing (ACT) is a standardised exam established and administered by a non-profit organization in the US that has the same name (ACT). This exam assesses a student’s critical thinking and understanding abilities in order to predict how well they would do in college-level courses. This test, which was developed in 1959, has undergone a few adjustments and will soon be ready to take online.
Duration
The ACT is a timed aptitude examination. The test should last 2 hours and 55 minutes in total, with an additional 40 minutes allocated for those who choose to do the optional writing segment. This does not account for the time required for breaks.
Similar to the SAT, each part of ACT is further divided into timed segments to help students not get bogged down on a particularly difficult subject. They are as follows:
| Section | Timing |
| English | 45 mins |
| Math | 60 mins |
| Reading | 35 mins |
| Science | 35 mins |
| Writing (optional) | 40 mins |
Costs
The test’s cost is determined by the ACT organisation that established it. Currently, the test costs $46 without writing and $62.50 with writing.
Depending on your circumstances, there may be extra expenses. If you need to apply to more than four universities or register late, for example, you will be charged an extra cost.
Fee exemptions are also available for people who cannot afford to pay for the test. According to the ACT, information concerning exemptions is distributed to high schools around the country each year, so they recommend reviewing your choices with your high school to see whether you are qualified for a price waiver.
SAT Vs ACT Comparison: Differences
The SAT and ACT are both standardised examinations that colleges and universities use to gauge how well equipped you are as a student to pursue college-level courses. At first glance, the two examinations appear to be fairly similar. They take about the same length of time to complete and cover the same core areas. Furthermore, because all US colleges and universities take both the ACT and the SAT, there is no clear benefit to taking one over the other. Despite these commonalities, there is a difference between ACT and SAT that may impact your decision. Here is a list of the major differences:
Duration Per Section
The amount of time granted to each segment of the test is a major distinguishing factor. The SAT offers more time per question for each part of the exam, however, the ACT challenges you to get through the questions more quickly. Furthermore, while the ACT includes more questions than the SAT, the SAT questions sometimes demand more extended reading and problem-solving skills so they comparatively take a little longer to complete.
SAT Vs ACT Scores
When you’re looking at the ACT vs SAT scores, you will notice a substantial difference: the ACT scores each component on a range of 1-36, whereas the SAT scores each section on a scale of 200-400, with a total score ranging from 400-1600 points.
The Science & Math Segments
The ACT includes even the science section. While both exams contain portions devoted to reading and writing, the SAT has two math sections (one with and one without a calculator), while the ACT has one math and one science component (both with a calculator). When you’re looking at SAT vs ACT, the SAT includes a small reference guide with some basic mathematical formulae and diagrams, but the ACT does not. The SAT math score accounts for around half of the total test score. The ACT, on the other hand, includes a math score that accounts for just roughly a quarter of the total score.
Recommended Read: Do Test Scores Matter For Scholarship Applications?
Evidence Questions
Another significant distinction in a SAT vs ACT debate is the structure of the questions. The SAT features a unique sub-section of the reading category that asks you evidence-based questions, and each question is in chronological order with the material it refers to. On the other hand, the ACT presents questions at random, mostly in relation to the paragraph they pertain to.
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