The SAT and ACT can be a determining factor in the college application process. While the tests share many similarities, some people may be better suited to one over the other. The best way to decide what test is best for you is to either take full length, timed practice tests, or to take both tests and compare scores. 

The SAT has three required components and one optional: Reading, Writing & Language, Math, and an optional essay. The math section is broken up into a calculator and no-calculator section, and it covers Arithmetic, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Data Analysis. The SAT scores students on a scale of 400 – 1600. Also, as of 2024, the SAT will be going virtual.

The ACT has an English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional essay. The math section allows students to use a calculator and it covers the same math topics as the SAT with the addition of Probability and Statistics. The score range is 1 – 36. Depending on whether Science is a forte for people, the Science section of the ACT could seem daunting. However, the questions are more logical and reason-based, and they are accompanied by passages. Furthermore, while the SAT does not have a science section, on occasion, reading passages could be science-based and require students to interpret and analyze scientific topics.

There are some key differences between the SAT and ACT that could determine which test is right for you, and they could also result in significantly better scores. When averaged, the SAT allows for longer time per questions compared to the ACT.

Another important difference to note is that the ACT focuses on geometry more heavily than the SAT; there is 30-45% geometry on the ACT and only 10% on the SAT. Math is also weighed more heavily in the SAT; only one-fourth of the ACT score is math, whereas, half of the SAT score comes from math. The reading section of the SAT frequently requires students to support claims with evidence from the text; this skill is not tested at all on the ACT.

Considering the nuances associated with the difference between the two tests is important because even a small increase in your SAT/ACT can significantly make a difference in college applications.