Table of Contents (TOC)
Introduction: Understanding the SAT and ACT
Everyone knows about the SAT and ACT - but no one truly "understands" them. This is why so many students are left in the dilemma of which one to give. But don't worry, we're here to resolve your understanding from the ground up :) Feel free to skip to the sections relevant to you!
What is the SAT?
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test (meaning anyone across the globe can give it to measure their aptitude accurately. But is it really? We’ll come to that later) conducted by the College Board (a non-profit organization) – with MCQ based sections on Reading & writing (English) and Math. Your evaluated scores can be sent to colleges which use it as a metric to gauge your academic ability.
What is the ACT?
The ACT (American College Test) is also a standardized test, conducted by another non-profit organization (act.org) – with MCQ-based sections on Reading, Math, Writing (English) and “Science” (we’ll come back to this in a while), and is also used by colleges to measure a student’s ability.
Scoring Systems
While you can already see the clear similarities between both tests, the scoring system is quite different. Each SAT section is graded 200-800 for a total of 1600.
The ACT is, well, trickier. You have a raw score: which is the number of questions you get right, and a scale score where you convert the score in each test to a range of 0-36 to compare with other students (as each ACT test has a different difficulty level). The composite score averages all the scale scores (except writing)
The following table shows a detailed comparison between total exam time, no. of questions, time per question and scores curetted by AFBF
The SAT | Questions in Module 1 | Questions in Module 2 | Time | Time/question |
Reading & Writing | 27 | 27 | 32 mins | 71 s |
Math | 22 | 22 | 35 mins | 95 s |
The ACT | Number of Questions | Time | Time/question |
English | 75 | 45 mins | 36 s |
Math | 60 | 60 mins | 60 s |
Reading | 40 | 35 mins | 53 s |
Science | 40 | 35 mins | 53 s |
The SAT vs ACT Showdown: A Head-to-Head Comparison (Math and English)
SAT and ACT Misconceptions
The first big misconception all the outdated SAT vs ACT articles tell you is that the SAT is for math test-oriented students, while the ACT is for science test-oriented students. Let me let you in on a little secret – the science section in the ACT is simply the Reading section in disguise (audible gasps) don’t believe me? Go through this official ACT declaration of the syllabus :
Similarly, the SAT math is not for English geniuses. Both the tests give you access to Desmos – a super powerful online calculator that makes most questions on the test almost basic if you learn to use it.
The real kicker is this, the time. If you went through our table, you’ll see that on both tests you rarely get more than 1 minute per question – and you’ll have to read through entire passages to answer questions on them. Yikes!
The Content (Math vs English)
The key differences in both tests according to syllabi –
SAT Math – Algebra (linear equations in two variables, modulus, exponential function), Geometry (Volume, Circles, Congruency, Similarity, parallel lines), statistics (mean, median, box plots, variance, normal distribution)
ACT Math – Pre-Algebra/Elementary-Algebra(linear equations in two variables, modulus, exponential function), Geometry (Circles, Congruency, Similarity, parallel lines, 3D shapes), Trigonometry (identities, graphs)
SAT English – English grammar (verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, clauses), Punctuations (use of each “. , : ; ” in sentences/lists), comprehension (Draw inference from -, provide evidence for -, appropriate conclusions/introductions, read from text)
ACT English - English grammar (verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, clauses), Punctuations (use of each “. , : ; ” in sentences/lists), comprehension (only read from text)
The Statistics
The merit of a college admission test is seen in how well its top scorers do. So we’ve compiled the 25th percentile (score needed to be above 1/4th of students at that university) and 75th percentile (score needed to be above 3/4th of students at that university) scores of some top colleges in the USA – so you can benchmark your required performance in each test :
| US News Ranking | 25th%ile SAT score | 75th%ile SAT score | 25th%ile ACT score | 25th%ile ACT score |
Princeton | 1 | 1510 | 1570 | 33 | 35 |
MIT | 2 | 1520 | 1570 | 34 | 36 |
Harvard | 3 | 1490 | 1580 | 33 | 36 |
Stanford | 3 | 1500 | 1570 | 34 | 35 |
Yale | 5 | 1470 | 1560 | 33 | 35 |
Penn | 6 | 1500 | 1570 | 33 | 35 |
Caltech | 7 | 1510 | 1570 | 35 | 36 |
Duke | 7 | 1450 | 1570 | 33 | 35 |
Brown | 9 | 1500 | 1560 | 33 | 35 |
John Hopkins | 9 | 1520 | 1560 | 34 | 36 |
Northwestern | 9 | 1500 | 1560 | 34 | 35 |
Columbia | 12 | 1500 | 1560 | 33 | 35 |
Cornell | 12 | 1470 | 1550 | 33 | 35 |
UC Berkeley | 15 | 1490 | 1570 | 30 | 35 |
UCLA | 15 | 1490 | 1570 | 28 | 34 |
The Test Optional scheme during COVID-19 threw everything into pandemonium. Here’s how many applicants submitted their test scores for some well-known colleges through the years in English
Unveiling Your Strengths: Choosing the Right Test
ACT Strengths: Are You a Speed Demon?
The ACT has more than 1.39 million test takers yearly. Having given both tests, what we’ve observed is that the ACT :
Challenging for slow readers, don’t be fooled by the long paragraphs in English– you don’t have time to read them.
The ACT asks simpler, more straightforward questions. You’ll always find the answers in the English passage.
You have to be great at data analysis. All the statistics left out of the Math section are in the Science section – with convoluting charts and plots.
SAT Strength: Are You The Master of Your Mind?
More than 1.9 million students opt for the SAT yearly. Here are some important differentiators :
It is slower paced but requires a good understanding of the test at the first read-through – as the SAT ask tonnes of reflective questions in English. Skimming through is not an option, goal-oriented reading is key.
The math section is deceptively easy. The initial confidence boost makes students carried away – trust me you have to pay attention.
With your little extra time – use the tools on the toolbar, like the annotation, highlight and cross-out tools – that help you from otherwise getting lost.
Considering The Balance? Both Tests Can Work!
Despite the key differences – the pièce de résistance of your prep MUST be to understand the test you opted for. Having all-around skills is not enough when you’re fighting for the top 0.3% (yes that’s the people who get a perfect 1600 or 36, and you can too!). If you have that in the bag, you can triumph over either of these well-rounded tests!
Beyond Scores: Additional Factors to Consider
Let’s explore the more non-standard (yet very key) differences between the SAT vs the ACT.
Test Cost
Both tests charge an additional international fee which almost no one talks about (#unfair). Both have a fee of around 68 USD (5660 INR). BUT for Indians the SAT English comes to 9100 INR vs the ACT English coming to a whopping 15,000 INR (17,700 INR if you include the Writing test)
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Test Availability
For most international students, (especially Indians) this is what it comes down to. You can take both tests around 12 times – but availing it is not so easy. The SAT can be given at 77 centres in 44 cities in India, vs the ACT which is available only in 15 cities with a couple of centres each.
Application Requirements
Don’t worry about this, most colleges in the US and the Ivy League don't discriminate between the SAT vs ACT. In case of test-optional, submit your SAT or ACT scores to colleges only if it improves or adds to your current profile. Definitely research your colleges though, as ones like Georgetown are known to consistently make scores mandatory. Get this done easily using Fairtest.com to check college admission test requirements.
Call To Action
Now that you're armed with the knowledge of both SAT English and ACT English, it's time to take action! Here are some resources to get you started on your test prep journey:
Free Practice Resources:
Khan Academy: Partnered with the College Board, Khan Academy offers free, personalized practice questions and lessons for the SAT. https://support.khanacademy.org/hc/en-us/articles/17921365165581-Moving-from-Official-SAT-Practice-to-Official-Digital-SAT-Prep-on-Khan-Academy
The ACT Website: Access free ACT practice tests, sample questions, and test-taking strategies directly from the official source. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html
Magoosh: Packed with helpful articles and tips on tackling both the SAT and ACT, Magoosh offers valuable insights without breaking the bank. https://magoosh.com
Official Test Prep Materials:
The College Board: Purchase official SAT practice tests and study guides directly from the College Board website. https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation/practice-tests
ACT, Inc.: Invest in official ACT prep materials, including practice tests, study guides, and online courses, through ACT, Inc. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores.html
Conclusion, TLDR;
Let’s sum up the crucial points of this discussion. The key differences are :
· The ACT requires much better time management and English reading fluency
· The SAT English asks more reflective and understanding-based questions vs the more to-the-point (easier) ACT English
· Both are accepted equally by colleges
· The ACT has a higher cost of entry and fewer centres across India
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In the end, it’s a question of personal preference with no definite answer. But if you can afford the test and some practice material, go for it! Most University applicants (~67%) still submit their scores as it’s a great foundation for the rest of your co-curricular and academic skills. I encourage you to explore as many practice tests as possible to develop your own intuition for the tests. And there – you are set! All the best on your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the SAT vs the ACT
Q: What's the difference between the SAT and ACT?
A: Both are college admissions tests, but the SAT emphasizes reading, writing (optional), and analytical thinking, while the ACT focuses on faster pacing and data analysis.
Q: Which test should I take, the SAT or ACT?
A: The best choice depends on your strengths. If you excel at reading and analysis, the SAT might be a good fit. If you're a fast reader with strong data analysis skills, the ACT could be better.
Q: Do colleges prefer the SAT vs ACT?
A: Most colleges accept both tests equally. Research your target schools to confirm their requirements.
Q: How do I send my scores to colleges?
A: Both the College Board (SAT) and ACT, Inc. offer online score-sending options for colleges you're applying to.
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