ACT vs SAT — What’s the Difference?

Even though many colleges have gone test-optional or test-blind, both exams remain popular with U.S. colleges, which use the exams to evaluate high school students’ academic readiness for college, assessing skills in reading, writing, math, and science reasoning in the case of the ACT.

Understanding SAT and ACT differences can help you select the test that best demonstrates your strengths, maximizes your performance, and aligns with your academic goals.

Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT

While both the ACT and SAT are nationally recognized standardized tests that measure proficiency in problem-solving and reading comprehension, there are differences between the two when it comes to timing, number of questions, and scoring. 

Most of the topics covered on the ACT and SAT overlap, and the tests are designed to be identical in terms of difficulty.

Components	ACT	SAT
Subjects	English, math, reading, science, optional essay	Reading, writing, language, math
Scoring	Composite score 1–36 (average of 4 sections)	Total score 400–1600
Total test time	2 hours 55 minutes without essay 3 hours 40 minutes with essay	2 hours, 14 minutes
Number of questions	215	154
Avg time per question	49 seconds	1 minute, 10 seconds
Includes science?	Yes	No
Math subjects included	Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, data analysis	Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability, and statistics
Is a calculator allowed?	Yes	Depending on the section
Test style	Direct and straightforward	Problem-solving and evidence-based
Test format	Paper or digital	Digital only

Testing model differences

The SAT uses the adaptive testing model, meaning as you take the test, your answers determine what questions will be presented in the next module, with the level of difficulty matched to your ability for a truer assessment of your understanding of the subject matter. Scoring also takes difficulty into account; the more difficult questions you answer correctly, the better your score.

The ACT tends to be best for students who excel in science and time management and prefer direct questions, while the SAT is best for students who prefer analytical thinking and have strong problem-solving skills. 

Testing subjects differences

The ACT evaluates knowledge of English, reading, math, and science and tests your knowledge of a broad range of subjects. 

While the SAT does not have a specific science section, it does ask questions dealing with scientific passages, data, and charts in the reading, writing, and math sections. 

On the other hand, the SAT primarily focuses on reasoning, in-depth problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. It also includes complex texts and multi-step math problems, while the ACT asks more direct questions. 

The ACT and SAT both have a considerable emphasis on algebra, buy the ACT also tests geometry — which makes up 30 to 45 percent of the math section — and matrices, graphs of trig functions, and logarithms.In contrast, geometry figures into less than 10 percent of the SAT math section. Trigonometry accounts for about 7 percent of the ACT but less than 5 percent of the SAT. Additionally, the SAT provides you with math formulas, but the ACT does not. 

Subject focus differences

If you struggle with math, the ACT may be a better fit for you as that subject only counts for a quarter of the final score. In the SAT, math counts for half of the final score. 

The ACT also allows you to use a calculator for the entire test, whereas the SAT only allows a calculator for specific sections. The SAT does give you a reference guide with formulas that you can use during the test, while the ACT does not.

If you’re interested in studying a STEM field, the ACT may be a better fit for you. The optional essay component includes a science section, which  is also an opportunity to highlight your writing skills.

Timing differences

The SAT and ACT both take around three hours to complete, but the exams have different time limits for sections, with some offering more time per question than others. 

SAT timing

The SAT is broken down into two sections: a 64-minute reading and writing section and a 70-minute math section. 

The SAT gives about 20 seconds more per reading comprehension question than the ACT, even though it has more questions.

The SAT gives you approximately 70 seconds per question. If you struggle with reading comprehension passages or with time management in general, the SAT might work better for you since it gives you more time per question.

ACT timing

The ACT is composed of a 35-minute reading test, a 45-minute English test, a 60-minute math section, and a 35-minute science test.

The ACT gives you approximately 49 seconds per question.

Scoring differences between the SAT and ACT

The SAT breaks down the score into two sections: math (200 to 800) and evidence-based reading and writing (200 to 800). The total score is the sum of the math, reading, and writing sections, with 1600 as the highest possible score.

The ACT score is the average of four sections of English, math, reading, and science, with 36 being the highest score. The optional essay is scored separately. The ACT also allows superscoring — taking the highest scores from each section on multiple test attempts and averaging them for your official score. 

The math score counts for one-fourth of the final ACT score but half the final SAT score. 

Neither test penalizes for incorrect answers.

How to Decide Which Test Is Right For You: What Are Your Strengths?

When deciding which test to take, consider your academic strengths as well as your testing preferences and college goals. You can also take practice tests in both formats and compare scores to help you reach a decision.

The SAT emphasizes reasoning and problem-solving skills. The math section allows a calculator for one of two parts. 

In contrast, The ACT is a faster-paced test, and it evaluates students’ ability to interpret, analyze, and problem-solve.  

What are your college requirements?

Colleges that use the ACT or SAT in the admissions process primarily use the information to determine how students might perform in college-level courses and to differentiate between qualified candidates. 

But, the admissions process is always evolving, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some private and public colleges have changed their use of standardized test scores. While some reinstated the requirements, others have gone test-optional or test-blind. 

As you begin the college application process, it is important to know which schools use standardized tests in the admissions process and if they favor one test over the other. Check each school’s website for the most up-to-date information on testing.

How to Prepare for the SAT or ACT 

Preparing for the ACT or SAT requires a strategic plan combining effective time management, consistent practice, and thorough subject review. 

There are many strategies for study and test preparation, and we recommend starting early, learning how the test works and what it measures, and prioritizing your good health and mental well-being. 

How you prepare for a standardized test can vary greatly for students of different backgrounds. There are many test preparation classes and services, and there are free test-prep services from Kahn Academy and Schoolhouse.world. Additionally, the ACT and College Board provide sample tests for practice.

You can prepare to take the SAT or ACT online, in a class, in private tutoring sessions, or with books and mobile apps. The key, no matter which format you use, is practice, practice, practice. 

That includes taking practice tests, targeting skills you need to work on, and understanding the structure of the exam. Put in the time, and you’ll be ready on the test date.

• Register. Go to the College Board or the  ACT website to register and find dates and locations. Pick a date at least three months out if possible, to give yourself enough time to prepare.
• Get oriented. You will want to understand the overall structure and format of the test, as well as the style of questions. 
• Become familiar with the content and feel of the exam. The different sections of the test have different knowledge and skill areas, so become familiar with the style of questions for each section.
• Pinpoint your weaknesses. Take a timed practice test and use the provided scoring guidelines to figure out your score. Look back through the test to see which questions you missed and work on those subject areas.
• Set a score goal. After taking the practice test and you know your baseline score, set a reasonable, realistic goal. 
• Make a study schedule. Prepare to spend a consistent amount of study time each week until you take the test, and schedule blocks of time in advance to make sure you stick to it.
• Review important content. Target areas you are weak in, but also prepare for the other topics to make sure you are sufficiently ready for every section.
• Learn test strategies. Learn how to eliminate answers, guess on questions you aren’t, and manage your time.

Whichever test you opt to take, on test day you’ll want to be rested, fed, and confident. This, combined with advanced preparation, will give you the best chance of success. 

Test preparation tips

• Understand the test format. Whichever test you choose, make sure you understand the structure, timing, and types of questions. Review the scoring system and number of questions per section.

• Set a goal and create a schedule. Create a study plan to determine how much time to spend on each subject.
• Take a diagnostic test. Analyze the results to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reputable study materials. You can find practice materials from the College Board for the SAT or ACT Education Corp. There are many good prep books from The Princeton Review and Kaplan, as well as online resources, video tutorials, and apps for additional practice. 
• Master time management. Use a timer to practice pacing for each section. Learn strategies for skipping tough questions and returning to them later.
• Practice regularly. Dedicate time to daily and weekly practice. 
• Focus on content review. Review grammar rules, sentence structure, and rhetoric. Brush up on algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and problem-solving. For reading, learn comprehension strategies, and for science, review data interpretation, graphs, and scientific reasoning.
• Build endurance. Gradually build study session time to match test duration.
• Track progress. Take practice tests periodically to measure improvement. 
• Stay healthy. Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise as test day approaches. 

By following this plan and staying consistent, you’ll improve your skills, boost your confidence, and achieve your target score.