Are you confused about the differences between the SAT and the ACT? Not sure which test to take? Here’s what you need to know:
What is the same on both the SAT and the ACT?
1. Colleges and universities throughout the U.S. accept both the ACT and the SAT as part of their requirements for admission.
2. Both tests have reading and math sections and offer an optional essay section. The essay score does not figure into your total score.
3. Both tests do not penalize test takers for incorrect answers. They use rights-only scoring meaning the score is the number of questions that were answered correctly.
What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?
1. The SAT is a longer test than the ACT. The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes without writing (essay) and 3 hours and 35 minutes with writing (essay). The SAT is 3 hours without the essay and 3 hours and 50 minutes with the essay.
2. The ACT has a science section. The SAT does not have a science section.
3. The ACT score is from 1-36. The total score is an average of the scores you receive on the four sections: English, Math, Reading, Science. The optional writing (essay) section uses a scale of 1-12, and is scored separately from the four previously mentioned sections.
4. SAT scores range from 400 to 1600. The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math sections each use a scale of 200-800. The EBRW score and the Math score are combined for a total score. So, if you scored 650 on EBRW and 580 on Math, your SAT score would be 1230. The Essay section score is from 1-8, and is separate from the EBRW and Math score.
5. The fee to take the ACT is slightly more expensive than the SAT. The ACT fee is $52.00 without writing, and $68.00 with Writing. The SAT is $49.50 without the essay and $64.50 with the essay. Additional fees are added for late registrations. There are fee waivers available for some students.
For test dates, go to https://www.act.org/ for the ACT, or https://www.collegeboard.org/ for the SAT.
For more information, or to get help with navigating the college application process, please contact us.