SAT vs. ACT Which one should I take?
Test Style & Difficulty Level SAT ACT Questions are evidence and context-based in an effort to focus on real-world situations and multi-step problem-solving Questions increase in difficulty level as you move through that question type in a section (except reading passage questions, which progress chronologically through the passage) Straightforward, questions may be long but are usually less difficult to decipher Difficulty level of the questions is random
Test Format SAT ACT Reading: 1, 65-min section Math: 1, 25-min section (no calculator) & 1, 55-min section (w/ calculator) Writing & Langauge: 1, 35-min section Essay: 1, 50-min section (optional) English: 1, 45-min section Math: 1, 60-min section Reading: 1, 35-min section Science: 1, 35-min section Writing: 1, 40-min essay (optional)
Content Covered SAT ACT Reading Relevant words in context Math Grammar & usage Analytical writing (optional) Reading Science Math Grammar & usage Reasoning, and writing (optional)
Subjects SAT ACT 5 reading passages Covers Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis Some math questions don’t allow you to use a calculator. Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text. 4 reading passages 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge) Covers Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry and Trigonometry You can use a calculator on all math questions. Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues.
Penalty for Wrong Answers Length SAT ACT 3 hours (without essay) 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay) 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay) 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay) Penalty for Wrong Answers no – you do not lose points for incorrect answers
Scoring SAT ACT Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing are each scored on a scale of 200-800. Composite SAT score is the sum of the two section scores and ranged from 400-1600. English, Math, Reading, and Science scores will each range between 1-36. Composite ACT score is the average of your scores on the four sections; ranges between 1-36
Tends to be most popular? SAT ACT with private schools and schools on the east and west coasts; however, every four-year college in the US accepts SAT scores with public schools and schools in the Midwest and south; however, every four-year college in the US accepts ACT scores
Cost Website SAT ACT SAT ACT www.collegeboard.com www.act.org $43 (without essay) $54.50 (with essay) $39.50 (without essay) $56.50 (with essay) Website SAT ACT www.collegeboard.com www.act.org