SAT Vs ACT

What is the difference between the ACT and the SAT?

The best way to understand the difference of the ACT and SAT is to compare the different structure of each test.

SAT Test Structure
Section	Question Type	Number of Questions	Notes/Time Given
Critical Reading	Sentence completion	19
	Passage-based reading	48
	Total number of critical reading questions	67	70 minutes (divided into two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute sections)

Writing	Identifying Sentence Errors	18
	Improving Sentences	25
	Improving Paragraphs	6
	Essay Writing	1 essay	25 minutes
	Total Number of Writing Questions	49 + 1 essay	60 minutes (divided into two 25 minute test sections and one 10 minute test section)

Mathematics	Multiple Choice	44	All questions are Algebra I/II or Geometry Level
	Grid-Ins	10
	Total Number of Math Questions	54	70 minutes (divided into two 25 minute test sections and one 20 minute test section)
Total		170 + 1 essay	3 hours 20 minutes

ACT Test Structure
Section	Question Type	Number of Questions	Time Given
English	Punctuation	10
	Grammar and Usage	12
	Sentence Structure	18
	Strategy	12
	Organization	11
	Style	12
	Total Number of English Questions	75	45 minutes

Mathematics	Pre-Algebra	14
	Elementary Algebra	10
	Intermediate Algebra	9
	Coordinate Geometry	9
	Plane Geometry	14
	Trigonometry	4
	Total Number of Mathematics Questions	60	60 minutes

Reading Content	Prose Fiction	10
	Humanities	10
	Social Studies	10
	Natural Sciences	10
	Total Number of Reading Content Questions	40	35 minutes

Science	Data Representation	15
	Research Summaries	18
	Conflicting Viewpoints	7
	Total Number of Science Questions	40	35 minutes
Writing (Optional)	Writing	1 Essay	30 minutes
Total		215 + 1 Optional Essay	3 hours 25 minutes

Questions	SAT	ACT
What does each test focus on measuring?	The SAT is written to measure critical thinking, problem solving and reasoning. This is why the SAT allows calculators and provides many geometry formulas. The SAT also does not test on more difficult concepts such as Trigonometry.	The ACT is written to measure how much you have learned. It’s focus is on gauging your achievement in core academic areas. It is less concerned with how well you think but what you know.
What math level is tested?	Algebra I/II and basic Geometry	Algebra I/II, Geometry and Trigonometry
How is language arts tested?	Sentence completion, critical reading comprehension, identifying sentence errors and improving sentences/passages. The SAT focuses heavier on vocabulary.	Grammar and reading comprehension, The ACT focuses heavier on grammar and punctuation.
How is science tested?	There is no science section.	Evaluate and understand charts and graphs.
Do I have to write an essay?	Yes	The writing portion is optional. You should check with the universities and colleges you are interested in determining whether you want to attempt the writing section.
Am I penalized for incorrect answers?	You are penalized ¼ of a point for every incorrect multiple choice answer. You are not penalized for any of the gridded math questions.	There is no penalty.
What states are predominately SAT or ACT states?	The majority of students on the east and west coasts take the SAT.	The majority of the students in the Midwest and the South except for Indiana and Texas.
Which test is more popular?	1.3 million students took the SAT last year.	1.0 million students took the ACT last year.
Do any schools require only the SAT or ACT?	Only a small handful of colleges that accept only the ACT or SAT. There is however quite a bit of incorrect lore as to certain schools accepting only one test. The safest thing to do is to call the college or university you are interested to see if they accept either test. In most cases schools will accept scores from either test.	There are a few continuing education colleges that accept only the ACT since it is an better indicator of which class the student should be enrolled in?
Will all of my test scores be sent to the universities of my choice?	ETS automatically sends all SAT test scores ever taken to the universities you specify.	You are given the choice of not only which schools your score is sent to but also which scores.
How long in advance do I need to register?	It is best to register at least 6 weeks in advance.	It is best to register at least 4 weeks in advance.
Can I use a calculator on the test?	Yes	Yes
Who administers each test?	Educational Testing Services (ETS) www.ets.org	ACT Inc www.act.org

Should I take the SAT or the ACT?

We suggest you take both and send the score that you do best on. Since each test focuses on measuring a different skills, you will likely do better on one test than the other depending on how your knowledge of curriculum versus your critical thinking talents compare amongst your peers.

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