SAT and ACT: 4 Key Differences

Are you starting your university application to institutions in the United States, but can't figure out which standardized test to take? No worries, ALL-In Eduspace has your back! In this article, we go in-depth and discuss the structural, content, and logistical differences between the SAT and the ACT. 

What is SAT? What is ACT?

Before we go into the specifics, let's get to know these tests a little better. The SAT stands for the Scholastic Aptitude Test, but has since been dropped and just called the SAT as the test has evolved. It is administered by a not-for-profit company called CollegeBoard, which also administers Advanced Placement (AP) exams. On the other hand, the ACT stands for the American College Test, and is administered by ACT Inc., focusing mostly on the ACT as their main product. 

Now that we know what each test is, let's discuss some basic facts. Here is a quick comparison between these 2 standardized tests. 

With that, let's discuss 4 key differences between the SAT and the ACT. This will include questions, calculators, and evidence. 

1. Total number of questions

As seen in the table above, the SAT has 154 questions, while the ACT has 215, quite a bit more. This means that without considering the optional writing section on the ACT, there is actually less time allotted per question for the ACT than the SAT, seeing as both tests take roughly 3 hours to complete. Here is a detailed breakdown:

Our advice: If you are pretty good at time management, then go for the ACT! However, the SAT will be a better option if you are struggling in that department, especially if you need some more time in solving those tricky math questions. 

2. To calculator, or not to calculator?

While the ACT does allow students to use calculators in their math section, the SAT has a strictly no calculator section that spans 20 questions in 25 minutes, in comparison to the ACT's 38 questions in 55 minutes. Technically, all questions in either section of the ACT or SAT are solvable without a calculator, so there is not a big worry there. However, the non-calculator section does focus more on reasoning than arithmetics. 

Another note to keep in mind is the focus of questions. The math section in SAT tends to focus more on algebra and data analysis, where in the ACT there is a significant increase in geometry and trigonometry. The ACT also tests on matrices, trigonometric functions, and logarithms. 

Our advice: If you are confident in your math abilities and are quite good at reasoning, the SAT would be a better choice to take. However, if you are better at geometry, trig, and logs, then the ACT would be your best bet!

3. Hunting for evidence

Are you someone who is good at looking for clues and pinpointing certain phrases? If so, the SAT would be a great fit! Evidence-based reading and writing (EBRW) makes up a large part of the SAT English section and is completely absent in the ACT. This section requires students to read a certain paragraph from the reading, look for certain words/phrases that are important, and use them to answer questions. There are also certain situations where questions are interconnected, requiring the correct answer in the first before moving on to the second. 

Our advice: If you dig the idea of connecting parts of a text to support an idea in the question, then the SAT is excellent for you. If not, then the ACT will be your go-to test for US testing requirements. 

4. How will you be scored?

The obvious difference between the SAT and the ACT is obviously the scoring grade. The SAT has a total score range of 400-1600, while the ACT is graded from 1-36. The way in which these scores are determined are different, but both tests employ a “right-only” scoring method, where incorrect answers are not penalized, and correct answers are given scores. This means you should answer all questions on the test regardless if you know the answer or not!

The SAT is scored on the two main sections, which are Evidence-based Reading & Writing and Math. Both sections range from 200-800, and combine to give a total of 400-1600. On the other hand, the ACT is scored by an average score from all 4 sections. Each section is scored from 1-36, and the average of all 4 sections will be the final score. The writing is graded from 2-12, but is not added to the final score of 1-36. 

Our advice: Based solely on the scoring algorithms, there is no difference between the SAT and ACT. Both are accepted at all US universities, and scores are easily converted into equivalent values from either test. 

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