ACT vs SAT: Which Exam Should You Attempt for Better Future Prospects?

The ACT and SAT have long been the two primary standardized tests used in the United States for college admissions. It is always a topic of debate among high school students that which one is better – ACT vs SAT. These tests are important for colleges to evaluate student’s academic skills and potential. The ACT, short for American College Testing, and the SAT, known as the Scholastic Assessment Test, follow different approaches to evaluating students’ readiness for college-level work. While both tests share common goals, they differ in various aspects, such as test format, content, scoring, and regional popularity. 

Do You Know?

The college board conducted the first SAT Digital Exam in March 2023.

The ACT consists of four sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science—along with an optional Writing section, whereas the SAT includes two main sections—Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math—along with an optional Essay section. Moreover, the ACT tends to emphasize content-based questions, while the SAT focuses on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Another difference lies in the scoring systems. The ACT uses a composite score based on the average of the four required sections, and the SAT provides separate scores for each section that can be combined or reported individually. 

Regional preferences also come into play, with the ACT being more popular in the Midwest and South, while the SAT dominates in the Northeast and West Coast. Understanding these differences between the ACT vs SAT is important for students. 

Overview of the SAT and ACT Exams

Before directly jumping into the insights of the ACT vs SAT, let’s now first have a brief overview of both exams. These will give you a clear picture of the comparison that is going to happen later in this blog post. Let’s look at the key details now.

Exam Name	SAT	ACT
Full Name	Scholastic Assessment Test	American College Testing
Conducting Body	College Board	ACT Inc
Official Website	https://www.collegeboard.org/	https://www.act.org
Exam Duration	2 hours 14 minutes	2 hours and 55 minutes (without essay)3 hours and 35 minutes (with essay)
Usually For	UG courses in the US and Canada
Exam Mode	Online (Proctor-Based)	Online (Computer-Based)
Exam Fees	$60+$43 or INR 8525	$181.50 or INR 14,880 (without writing test)$206.50 or INR 16,930 (with writing)
Full Score/Marks	1600	36

ACT vs SAT: Exam Format and Content Comparisons

Now that you have seen the key details regarding both examinations, let’s compare these exams on the basis of exam format now. Both exams follow somewhat similar exam patterns. The subjects are almost similar yet the number of questions and duration of each section are different.

The SAT exam pattern is as follows:

Section	Number of Questions	Duration of the Section
Reading and Writing	54	64 minutes
Math	44	70 minutes
Total	98	134 minutes

Now, it’s time to have a look at the ACT exam pattern.

Section	Number of Questions	Duration of the Section
English	75	45 minutes
Mathematics	60	60 minutes
Reading	40	35 minutes
Science	40	35 minutes
Writing (Optional)	1 Essay	40 minutes
Total	215	215 minutes

While there is no negative marking in the ACT and SAT exams, it gives the students the freedom of guessing. Well. Something is better than nothing! Now, we will be looking at the differences and similarities of the common sections of the SAT and the ACT exam.

The SAT and the ACT exam has two sections in common:

• Reading Section
• Math Section

ACT vs SAT: The Reading Section

The ACT and SAT are both standardized tests commonly used by colleges and universities as part of the admissions process in the United States and Canada. While they share some similarities in their reading sections, there are also notable differences. Let’s explore both the similarities and differences in the reading sections of the ACT and SAT:

Similarities	Differences
Both the ACT and SAT reading sections present multiple passages for students to read and answer questions.	The ACT typically includes four reading passages, while the SAT usually consists of five reading passages.
Both tests assess a student’s ability to comprehend and analyze written passages.	ACT passages are generally shorter, with each passage ranging from around 600 to 800 words. On the other hand, SAT passages tend to be longer, with an average length of 750 to 900 words.
Both exams have strict time limits for the reading section.	The ACT primarily focuses on direct questions that require students to locate specific information within the passage, while the SAT includes more inference-based questions.
The reading sections of both tests include passages from various subject areas.	The SAT places a greater emphasis on challenging vocabulary words. The ACT tends to focus more on overall comprehension rather than vocabulary specifically.

ACT vs SAT: The Maths Section

The math sections of the ACT and SAT have both similarities and differences. Let’s explore them:

Similarities	Differences
Both the ACT and SAT math sections assess fundamental math concepts, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.	The ACT math section places a stronger emphasis on geometry and trigonometry, while the SAT math section includes more advanced algebra and data analysis.
Both tests present math questions in a multiple-choice format, where students choose the correct answer from a set of options.	The ACT math questions are generally more straightforward and focused on testing math skills and knowledge directly. The SAT math questions often involve more critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application of math concepts.
Both exams have strict time limits for the math section, requiring students to work efficiently and manage their time effectively.	The ACT math section covers a broader range of topics. In contrast, the SAT math section dives deeper into fewer topics but includes more complex and challenging questions.
Both tests have sections that allow calculator use and sections that do not. Students are required to bring an approved calculator and use it accordingly during the designated sections.	The SAT includes grid-in questions, where students must provide the numerical answer rather than selecting from multiple-choice options. The ACT, however, only utilizes multiple-choice questions in the math section.

The comparison cannot be drawn on the other sections because they are missing in both exams. Earlier, both exams had an essay section but the College Board scrapped the essay section from the SAT.

ACT vs SAT: Exam Fee

You have already seen the general overview of the ACT and the SAT exam fees in the earlier sections. Now, we will see a complete breakdown of the exam fees for the ACT and SAT exams. We will also be looking at the additional fees if there’s anything like that.

ACT Exam Test Fees

The complete breakdown of the ACT exam fee structure for non-US residents has been given below. Although the exam fee is in USD, we have converted them into INR so that you don’t have to look for calculators.

General Fees
The Full ACT (no writing)	$181.50 or INR 14,880
The Full ACT (with writing)	$206.50
Test Option Change	$25
Additional Fees
Late Registration	$36
Change Fee	$42
Score reports to 5th & 6th choice colleges	$16
Additional Score Reports	$18

SAT Exam Test Fees

The complete breakdown of the SAT exam fee structure has been given below.

General Fees
SAT Registration Fees + Regional Fee (Outside US)	$60 or INR 4920 + $43 or INR 3526
Cancel Registration Fee	$25 or INR 2050
Late Cancel Fee	$35 or INR 2870

Here are some additional registration fees that you might consider looking forward to.

Service	Fee
Test Centre Fee (Selected locations only)	$23 or INR 1887
Change Test Centre	$25 or INR 2051
Cancel Registration Fee	$25 INR 2051
Late Cancel Fee	$35 or INR 2871

Please NOTE that

• Fee waivers are available! For details related to the fee waiver and other additional fees, please visit the official website.
• Waitlist registration is not currently available. Check back for information on potential waitlist availability in the future.
• Check the official website satsuite.collegeboard.org/ for some score-related services.

ACT vs SAT: Which is easier?

The difficulty level of the ACT and SAT exams can vary from student to student, as it largely depends on their own strengths and weaknesses. However, there are some general differences between the two tests that can be helpful to consider when deciding which one might be easier for you. Here are some key points to compare the ACT and SAT:

Content and Structure

• The ACT covers more subject areas, including English, math, reading, science, and an optional writing section, whereas the SAT focuses on reading, writing and language, math (with and without a calculator), and an optional essay.
• The ACT includes a dedicated science section, which requires interpreting scientific data and graphs, while the SAT does not have a specific science section.
• The SAT places a greater emphasis on vocabulary and reading comprehension, with more challenging vocabulary words and longer reading passages compared to the ACT.

Scoring

• The ACT has a composite score ranging from 1 to 36, which is an average of the individual section scores. Each section is scored separately.
• The SAT has two main section scores: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. The total SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600, combining these two sections. 

It’s important to note that neither test is objectively easier or harder than the other. Your personal strengths, weaknesses, and test-taking preferences should guide your decision. Consider taking practice tests for both the ACT and SAT to get a better sense of which test aligns more closely with your abilities.

ACT vs SAT: Which is the best for you?

Determining which test is the best, whether it’s the ACT or SAT, depends on several factors, including your individual strengths, preferences, and the requirements of the colleges or universities you plan to apply to. Here are some points to consider when choosing between the ACT and SAT:

• College Requirements: Research the admission requirements of the specific colleges or universities you’re interested in. Some colleges might accept the ACT scorecard while some might accept the SAT scorecard.

• Test Format: Review the content and structure of both tests. Consider which test aligns better with your strengths and weaknesses. 
• Practice and Preparation: Take practice tests for both the ACT and SAT. This will give you a better understanding of the test formats, the types of questions asked, and your performance on each test. 
• Timing and Pacing: Consider your ability to manage time during the test. The ACT has a faster pace with more questions to answer in a shorter time frame, while the SAT allows more time per question on average. 
• Personal Preference: Ultimately, the “best” test for you is the one that you feel most comfortable and confident taking. Some students may find the ACT more suited to their abilities, while others may prefer the SAT. 

Choosing the best test between the ACT and SAT is subjective and depends on various factors. It is crucial to evaluate your own situation, considering your strengths, preferences, and the admission requirements of the colleges or universities you intend to apply.

Summing It Up!

Deciding between the ACT vs SAT is not the same for everyone. Consider your strengths, what you like, and what colleges you want to apply. The ACT covers more subjects and is faster, while the SAT focuses on reading and writing. Choose the test that suits you best and lets you show your strengths. Both exams are considered to be the qualifying examination for undergraduate courses in the United States and Canada.

In order to make sure that talent is properly given to the industry, iDreamCareer is on a mission to reach every state and every child. To fully understand yourself, speak with our study abroad consultants, who have over 20 years of expertise. Aayush, Tapan, Toufiq,  and other intelligent but perplexed individuals were assisted by us in making the best professional decisions.

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ACT vs SAT: FAQs