Are you planning to study abroad? Have you ever heard of two popular exams – SAT & ACT? Are you wondering which exam is right for you? Or are you confused about SAT Vs ACT – what to choose? You are on the right page! The ACT and SAT have long been the two primary standardized tests used in the US for college admissions. And…
Do you know?
According to US News, even with test-optional policies, the SAT and ACT remain popular. In 2023, 1.9 million students took the SAT and 1.4 million took the ACT. These numbers show consistent interest in both exams. However, individual preferences and college requirements still influence students’ choices between the two tests.
No doubt 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.
The ACT consists of four sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science—along with an optional Writing section. On the other hand, SAT includes two main sections—Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math—along with an optional Essay section. 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. That’s not all!
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Topics covered
SAT Vs ACT: Overview
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 |
Now, one by one let’s compare between SAT Vs ACT…
ACT vs SAT: Comparison of Exam Format
Now that you have seen the key highlights regarding both examinations, let’s compare these exams based on exam format now. SAT Vs ACT: 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 |
Maths | 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.
SAT Vs ACT: Comparison of Common Sections
The SAT and the ACT exam has two sections in common:
- Reading Section
- Maths 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 US 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 SAT vs ACT:
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. |
SAT vs ACT: The Maths Section
The maths sections of the ACT Vs 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.
Exam Fees: SAT Vs ACT
Fees could also be a great factor while determining which exam to choose from between – SAT vs ACT. 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 or Indian students 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 for Indian students 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 |
Additional Fees | |
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.
SAT vs ACT: Comparison of Registration Process
When it comes to registering for standardized exams like the SAT and ACT, there are notable differences in the process. Both exams are widely accepted for undergraduate admissions in the United States, but the steps to register vary slightly. Let’s have a look into the specifics:
ACT Exam Registration
- Start by visiting the official ACT website and signing in to your account.
- Complete all required details in the registration form.
- Choose your preferred ACT center and exam date during the registration process.
- Finalize your registration by submitting the requisite fee payment.
SAT Exam Registration
- Begin by logging into the College Board website.
- Follow the step-by-step process to fill in all necessary information for the SAT exam.
- Select your desired test center and exam date from the available options.
- Complete the registration by making the required fee payment.
Key Differences
- ACT registration is done through the ACT website, while SAT registration is done through the College Board site.
- ACT registration typically involves fewer steps compared to SAT registration.
- The fee payment process for both exams occurs at the end of registration, after selecting the test center and date.
In essence, while both exams serve similar purposes, understanding the nuances of their registration processes can help students reach their application journey more effectively.
Score Comparison: SAT Vs ACT
It’s time to explore the score scales or ranges of both exams. Here’s a table showing the same:
SAT Score Range | ACT Score Range (Equivalent) |
610-590 | 9 |
640-620 | 10 |
680-650 | 11 |
720-690 | 12 |
770-730 | 13 |
820-780 | 14 |
870-830 | 15 |
910-880 | 16 |
950-920 | 17 |
980-960 | 18 |
1020-990 | 19 |
1050-1030 | 20 |
1090-1060 | 21 |
1120-1100 | 22 |
1150-1130 | 23 |
1190-1160 | 24 |
1220-1200 | 25 |
1250-1230 | 26 |
1290-1260 | 27 |
1320-1300 | 28 |
1350-1330 | 29 |
1380-1360 | 30 |
1410-1390 | 31 |
1440-1420 | 32 |
1480-1450 | 33 |
1520-1490 | 34 |
1560-1530 | 35 |
1600-1570 | 36 |
Universities Acceptance: SAT Vs ACT
In this section, we will be covering top universities that accept SAT & ACT scores! This will help you understand do colleges prefer the ACT or SAT!
Name of SAT Accepting College | Name of ACT Accepting College |
University of Toronto | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology |
University of British Columbia | Stanford University |
University of Alberta | Harvard University |
Harvard University | California Institute Of Technology |
Standford University | University of Chicago |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennslyvania |
University of California | Yale University |
University of Texas | Columbia University |
Arizona State University | Princeton University |
University of Pennsylvania | Cornell University |
Also, read: Study in USA & Study in Canada
SAT Vs ACT: Final Verdict!
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.
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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FAQs
The SAT and ACT exams are standardized tests used by colleges and universities in the United States as part of their admissions process. These tests aim to assess a student’s readiness for college by evaluating their academic skills in areas like reading, writing, math, and critical thinking.
The ACT offers a science section and emphasizes curriculum-based questions, reflecting what you’ve learned in school. The SAT focuses more on reasoning and critical thinking skills. The ACT is straightforward in its scoring, while the SAT penalizes for wrong answers. Both are accepted by most colleges in the US.
The difficulty of the SAT versus the ACT depends on individual strengths. The SAT focuses more on reasoning and critical thinking, while the ACT tests more on content knowledge and speed. Some find the SAT easier due to its format, while others prefer the ACT’s straightforward questions. Ultimately, it varies from person to person.
Choosing between the SAT and ACT depends on your strengths. The SAT focuses more on reasoning and critical thinking, while the ACT includes a science section and has more straightforward questions. Consider taking practice tests for both to see which format suits your skills and test-taking preferences better.

Anushree Rastogi is a Senior Content Writer at iDreamCareer, bringing over 5 years of expertise to the field of career counseling. She has done a PGDM in Marketing and Finance and possesses a unique blend of skills that allows her to craft engaging and informative content. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate their career paths and has dedicated her career to providing valuable insights through her content. Her commitment to excellence and keen understanding of the career landscape make her a trusted guide for those seeking professional direction. With a flair for clear and engaging writing, Anushree is on a mission to empower others to make informed and fulfilling career choices.