Key Differences Between the SAT and ACT

Key Differences Between the SAT and ACT

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is an exam which is widely accepted as a factor of undergraduate college admissions throughout the United States of America. The main categories tested on this exam are writing, critical reading and mathematics. The SAT is administered four times annually outside the United States and seven times annually within the United States. The American College Testing (ACT) is also a test used for college admission in the United States. Like the ACT, it is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test.

Highschool students sometimes have difficulty choosing whether to take the ACT or the SAT for their college applications. Studying for these exams independently can be a large task to manage, so many students will opt to work with an SAT tutor or an ACT tutor. There are various key differences between SAT and ACT, and I will discuss them below:

1. The SAT exam gives test takers more time per question, in comparison to the ACT exam. This can be helpful in the math questions, for example. Some people may require a bit more time here.

2. The ACT has a science section while the SAT does not test science. Science in the ACT covers a quarter of your total score in the exam. Therefore, if you are good at science, you may prefer to take the ACT, since the SAT does not test scientific concepts.

3. You can use a calculator on all math questions found on the ACT. The SAT has specific math sections that allow the use of a calculator, but also has math sections where you are not allowed to use a calculator. So, if the mere thought of math without a calculator scares you, you may want to pursue the ACT.

4. The ACT tests geometry throughout the math section, while on the SAT math, geometry makes up less than 10 percent of the questions. The ACT also tests trigonometric functions, matrices, and logarithms, which are not tested on the SAT at all. So, if you are good at doing algebraic equations and data analysis, you may perform well on the SAT. However, if you like trigonometric equations, the ACT may be the better option for you.

5. The SAT offers diagrams of math formulas while the ACT does not do this at all. SAT test takers are able to use these diagrams and formulas as a guide when answering math questions. The ACT does not offer this.

6. On the ACT, the math section accounts for a quarter of your total score while on the SAT, math accounts for half your total score, making it much crucial factor behind your overall score. So, if you are not good at math, you may choose to take the ACT over the SAT.

7. The ACT’s multiple-choice questions offer 5 options of selected possible answers choices for each question (A-E). The SAT’s multiple-choice questions offer 4 options of selected possible answer choices for each question (A-D). So, if you’re speaking in terms of probability, the smaller amount of answer choices on the SAT will increase your probability of getting the answer right. So, if you’re guessing on a question on the SAT, you’ll have a ¼ chance of getting it right. Whereas on the ACT, you’d have a 1/5 chance. You do the math.

8. The SAT is evidence-based which means you have to support your responses with evidence or reasoning. The ACT does not require evidence.

9. On the SAT, questions follow a chronological order according to the different sections, whereas on ACT, questions are randomly presented.

10. On the SAT, you are presented with an essay in which you will support an argument using reasoning and referencing the passage supplied. On the ACT essay, it’s more of an opinion-based essay.