The SAT and ACT

No part of the college application process seems to be more intimidating than taking the SAT^® and ACT^®, the standardized tests required for admission to thousands of colleges and universities. We have the basics on what you need to know about each one below.

What's the Difference Between the SAT and ACT?

The first thing to know is that the ACT and the SAT are different tests. They are developed and administered by different companies, they test different areas of knowledge, and they are scored differently.

The ACT

• The ACT is administered by the American College Testing Program.
• It tests four areas of knowledge: English (including an optional but recommended writing section), math, reading, and science reasoning.
• Each area is scored separately on a scale of 1 to 36, and a composite score is also given.
• The ACT English and reading sections are straightforward and content-based. The math section is academic in nature. The science section emphasizes analysis, interpretation, evaluation, basic content, and problem solving.
• Guessing at an answer on the ACT and being incorrect will not lower the overall score.

The SAT

• The SAT is administered by College Board^®.
• It tests math, reading, and writing skills.
• The math and evidence-based reading and writing sections are each scored on a scale of 200 to 800. 
• The SAT math emphasizes real-world problem solving including analyzing data, charts, and graphs. A calculator is allowed on some questions. The SAT evidence-based reading and writing sections ask students to interpret, synthesize, and use evidence from texts.
• There is no penalty for guessing.

Which Test to Take?

In order to decide what test to take, students should first find out which tests are required by the schools where they plan to apply. The ACT is more commonly used in the Midwest, while the SAT is common on the coasts. Most institutions will accept both, however, and when both are taken, most schools will use the highest score when evaluating the application. SAT/ACT comparison charts can be found online. Some colleges do not require either the SAT or ACT (see FairTest.org for a list of test-optional colleges).

Students may want to complete a full-length practice SAT and a full-length practice ACT to see if they have a preference. This investment of time up front will ultimately save students a lot of time down the line, while providing the peace of mind that comes with knowing you've made the right choice. Both the College Board®, who administers the SAT, and the ACT provide free full-length practice tests online. A student can download an SAT (we recommend using test 2) and an ACT (for which there is just one option), print them out, and complete the tests at home. Ideally a parent or guardian can 'proctor' the test by keeping the time for each section.

Most students should take the test on which they naturally score higher to begin with. If a student is in the 'gray zone,' it is important to take a closer look at their sectional scores, and it may be wise to enlist the guidance of an expert who understands the subtleties of each section. It is also important to consider which test a student naturally prefers. Some students find that they naturally gravitate to or are particularly uncomfortable with one test or the other. Some of the most common factors that students cite include the challenging pacing of the ACT, the variety of question structures on the SAT, and the focus on different math content areas on each test.

Test Re-Takes

It is recommended that students take standardized tests twice, once in the junior year and again in the senior year. The first attempt frequently disappoints students, and to some extent, a low score can be blamed on the unfamiliarity of taking a three-hour standardized test. Students are generally less anxious the second time they take the tests. Do not rely on taking standardized tests over and over to improve the score, however. Statistics show that most scores do not change drastically over three or more tries on the actual test. Make sure that you're giving yourself enough time to get scores back, decide if you want to test again, and send scores to colleges before the application deadline.