1. The SAT vs. ACT Scholastic Aptitude Test American College Testing

2. What is the overall difference?
SAT Reasoning test:
Tests your skills as a test-taker
Reason & logic-based
ACT:
More academic and straightforward
Curriculum-based (what you learn in school)

3. Is one test easier than the other?
No! They are very different tests and it just depends on what kind of test-taker you are.
That is why you should take both so you can see what they are both like.

4. What is the test structure?
SAT
3 hours 45 minutes
Ten-sections:
3 critical reading
3 math
3 writing
1 experimental (mixed in- hidden)
ACT
About 3 hours
4 sections + essay:
English
Math
Reading
Science
30-minute essay

5. What is the content? Critical reading: 67 questions 70 minutes
SAT
Critical reading:
67 questions
70 minutes
Reading comprehension & sentence completion
Math:
54 questions
Up to geometry
Writing:
49 questions + 1 essay
60 minutes
Grammar, persuasive essay
ACT
English:
75 questions
45 minutes
Grammar, usage, punctuation
Math:
60 questions
60 minutes
Up to Trigonometry
Reading:
40 questions
35 minutes
passages
Science:
Charts, graphs, experiments
Writing (optional):
30 minutes
Persuasive essay

6. How are they scored?
SAT
3 sections are scored on a scale of ,with a maximum of 2400
ACT
Each section scored on a scale of 1-36, and as overall composite score (average of all 3)

7. What is the national average? (data for class of 2010)
SAT
1509 out of 2400
Sub averages:
Critical reading 501
Math 516
Writing 492
Top schools want 2100
ACT
21 out of 36

8. Should I guess?
SAT
All multiple choice questions are scored the same way:
1 point for each correct answer (for both easy and hard questions)
¼ point subtracted for a wrong answer
No points subtracted for answers left blank
Only guess if you can definitely eliminate at least 1-2 of the answer choices.
If you have no idea and cannot eliminate any of the answer choices, DO NOT guess!
ACT
Your score on the test will be based on the number of questions that you answer correctly
THERE IS NO PENALTY FOR GUESSING!
Answer every question, even if you have to guess

9. How much do the tests cost?
SAT
Reasoning Test $47
Subject Tests $21
Language tests with listening: +$21 per test
All other Subject Tests: +$10 per test
Four total waivers are available — two for the SAT and two for the SAT Subject Tests. SAT Subject Test fee waivers can be used any time from 9th grade through graduation. SAT fee waivers can be used from 11th grade through graduation.
ACT
$33.00 for the ACT (No Writing)
$48.00 for the ACT Plus Writing
If you are eligible, you may use a maximum of two fee waivers total. The waiver is used once you register, even if you do not test on the requested test date.

10. Should I take the “extra tests”?
SAT
Subject tests are not required for admission eligibility at UC's after the current admissions cycle (starting class of 2012).
SAT subject tests may still be "recommended" by particular departments for certain majors, such as Math level 2 for Engineering majors.
Just like the “extra” years of certain a-g classes, recommended means YES!
ACT
Do not consider the writing portion “optional.” Take it!

11. When should I take the tests?
You should take both tests at least 2 times.
One time at the end of your 11th grade year and one time at the beginning of your 12th grade year.
Colleges will look at the higher of your scores.

12. How can I prepare? Take the PSAT your 10th and 11th grade year.
Use your results to study effectively.
Do the SAT and ACT question of the day.
Review practice tests.
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ACT=