ACT vs SAT Which is Best For You?

ALL COLLEGES ACCEPT BOTH THE ACT AND THE SAT!

SAT (3 hours plus 50 min essay)

  • Reading 52 Q/ 65 Min – 5 Passages
  • Writing & Language 44 Q / 35 Min – 4 Passages
  • Math (no calculator) 20 Q / 25 Min – 5 grid-ins
  • Math (calculator) 38 Q /55 Min
  • Essay (optional) 1 prompt / 50 Min – Analyze an argument Breaks – 10 mins after Reading; 5 mins after Math (no calc); 2 mins before Essay

ACT (2 hours 55 min plus 40 min essay)

  • English 75 Q/ 45 Min – 5 passages
  • Math (calculator) 60 Q / 60 Min
  • Reading 40 Q / 35 Min – 4 passages
  • Science 40 Q /35 Min • Essay (optional) 1 prompt / 40 Min – Consider 3 perspectives of an issue
  • Breaks – 10 mins after Math; 10 mins before Essay

SAT – ACT STRUCTURE

SAT

  • 154 questions / 3 hours (plus 50 min essay)
  • Top Score = 1600 (sum of 2 sections)
  • 1 min 10 seconds per question
  • Reading – 5 passages; emphasis on vocab; charts & graphs
  • Writing & Language – 4 passages; almost same content as ACT; ~50% grammar
  • Math – non-calculator & calculator sections; gridins
  • No Science section
  • Essay – analyze an argument
  • No guessing penalty

ACT

  • 215 questions / 3 hours (plus 50 min essay)
  • Top Score = 36 (average of 4 sections)
  • 49 seconds per question
  • Reading – 4 passages; generally easier to read; no charts/graphs
  • Writing & Language – 5 passages; almost same content as SAT; ~50% grammar
  • Math – calculator allowed
  • Science section – 6 passages; analyze studies/experiments
  • Essay – consider an issue & 3 perspectives
  • No guessing penalty

WHICH TEST SHOULD YOU TAKE? – IT DEPENDS

Which Test Fits Best For You?

Consider the SAT if:

  • You read a lot and enjoy it
  • You can read and understand complex texts
  • You have a good vocabulary
  • You do NOT rely heavily on the use of a calculator when doing math
  • You have difficulty understanding scientific terms and methods
  • You get stressed out with tight time limits
  • You are an analytical thinker and work well with multi-step problems

Consider the ACT if:

  • You have difficulty reading and understanding complex or historic texts
  • You need a calculator to solve most math problems
  • You enjoy science and are comfortable with scientific terms and processes
  • You are very comfortable reading and interpreting charts & graphs
  • You work well under time pressure
  • You have a good command of standard English conventions – e.g. grammar, punctuation, sentence structure

HOW IS THE SAT & ACT SCORED?

SAT:

Example:
Reading Test 30 x10 = 300
Writing and Language Test 27 x10 = 270
Evidenced Based Reading & Writing Score 570
Math Test 25 x20 = 500
TOTAL SCORE 1070

ACT:

Example:
English Test 25
Math Test 23
Reading Test 27
Science Test 22
Composite Score 24

Composite Score is average of all 4 scores (rounded up at .5)

HOW IS THE SAT & ACT SCORED?

SAT ACT
Outstanding 1500/750+ 33+
Excellent 1400/700 30
Very Good 1300/650 27
Good 1200/600 25
Average 1100/550 22

CAN I JUST SEND MY “BEST” SCORES FROM EACH TEST?

  • Most colleges “Superscore” by SAT test section
  • Fewer colleges Superscore the sections of the ACT because they use the composite score – most do Superscore composite scores
  • Check each school’s website for most current policy on Superscoring – if it’s not on their website call admissions
  • To get the best Superscore most students take the ACT or SAT 2 to 3 times
  • Colleges are ranked based on the average ACT/SAT scores of their entering class

THE STARTING POINT

Prepare For The Test Based On Your Score Goals

  • What schools am I interested in?
    ➢ Particular major, size , geography, other
  • What are the ACT/SAT score ranges for those schools?
    ➢ Your score goal should be between the 50th and the 75th percentile for that school
  • Are you looking for merit aid?
    ➢ Target schools where you are in the top 25% provides opportunities for merit aid
  • What is a realistic score for you?
    ➢ Average test prep increases are 4 points on the ACT and 150 points on the SAT
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