Should Students Take the SAT? ACT? Or Both?

As students prepare for college admissions, one of the most important decisions they will face is choosing between the SAT and ACT exams.

Both tests are widely accepted by colleges, but they do have key differences that may make one a better fit for you.

**Note: The ACT is undergoing major changes starting in April 2025. The test will be more comparable to the SAT in terms of shorter testing time and number of questions. In the meantime, the paramters below reflect the current format/structure of the ACT exam.

Let's break down the main distinctions and help you determine which test to take.

Test Structure and Duration

The SAT and ACT differ in their overall structure and time allotment:

SAT:

• Total time: 2 hours and 14 minutes
• Two main sections: Reading and Writing (64 total minutes), Math (70 total minutes)
• Delivery: Computer-Based, Adaptive Format

ACT:

• Total time: 2 hours and 55 minutes
• Four required sections: English (45 minutes), Math (60 minutes), Reading (35 minutes), Science (35 minutes)
• Delivery: Computer-Based or Paper, Non-Adaptive Format

Content and Focus

While both exams cover similar topics, they approach them differently:

SAT:

• More emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving
• Slightly higher reading level in English passages
• Math section includes a smaller range of topics, but requires more in-depth knowledge of those topics.
• Each Reading/Writing passage is about the length of one paragraph.

ACT:

• More straightforward, content-based questions
• Includes a Science section (though it's primarily focused on interpreting data and graphs)
• Math section covers a broader range of topics, but does not go in-depth with each topic.
• Each Reading/English passage is several paragraphs in length.

Time Management

One crucial factor to consider is the pacing of each test:

SAT:

• Generally allows more time per question
• Better for students who need to think deeply about each question

ACT:

• Typically has more questions with less time per question
• Suits students who can work quickly and efficiently

How to Choose

To determine which test is right for you:

1. Take full-length practice tests for both the SAT and ACT.
2. Full-length SAT practice test instructions: click here
3. Full-length ACT practice test instructions: click here
4. Compare your scores using this official concordance table.
5. Consider your strengths and test-taking style.

Many students find they perform better on one over the other, so it's worth exploring both options.

However, other students score comparably between the SAT and ACT, so they sit for both exams in order to have more chances of reaching their desired score goal.

We're here to help you succeed in your college admissions journey. If you need personalized guidance or tutoring for either the SAT or ACT, don't hesitate to reach out.

Best of luck with your test preparation!

Joshua Shampaner, M.Ed

Founder

Top Score Tutors