Academics
SAT vs ACT
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| Content-based test | Type of Test | Content-based test | |
| Reading: 1, 65-min section; Math: 1, 25-min section (no calculator) and 1, 55-min section (w/ calculator); Writing & Language: 1, 35-min section; Essay: 1, 50-min section (optional) | Test Format |
English: 1, 45-min section; Math: 1, 60-min section; Reading: 1, 35-min section; Science: 1, 35-min section; Writing: 1, 40-min essay (optional) | |
| Reading, relevant words in context, math, grammar and usage, analytical writing (optional) | Content Covered | Grammar and usage, math, reading, science reasoning, and writing (optional) | |
| Questions are evidence and context-based in an effort to focus on real-world situations and multi-step problem solving. | Test Style | Straightforward; questions may be long, but often are less difficult to decipher. | |
| Math and evidence-based reading and writing are each scored on a scale of 200-800. Composite SAT score is the sum of the two section scores and range from 400-1600 | Scoring |
English, math, reading, and science scores will each range on a scale of 1-36. Composite ACT score is the average of your scores on the four sections; ranges between 1-36. | |
| No. You do not lose points for incorrect answers. | Penalty for Wrong Answers? | No. You do not lose points for incorrect answers. | |
| You can choose which set(s) of SAT scores to submit to colleges.. This will depend on the colleges' specific guidelines on test score submission as some will require all scores be sent. |
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You can choose which set(s) of ACT scores to submit to colleges.. This will depend on the colleges' specific guidelines on test score submission as some will require all scores be sent. | |
| Questions increase in difficulty level as you move through that question type in a section. Reading passage questions progress chronologically through the passage. | Difficulty Levels |
Difficulty level of the questions is random. | |
| Arithmetic, problem-solving & data analysis, heart of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; formulas provided. | Math Levels | Arithmetic, algebra I and II, funtions, geometry, and trigonometry; formulas are not provided. | |
| More popular with private schools and schools on the East and West coasts; however, every four-year college in the U.S. accepts SAT scores. | More Popular? | Tends to be more popular with public schools and schools in the Midwest and South; however, every four-year college in the U.S. accepts ACT scores. | |
| Seven times per year: March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. | When Offered? | Six times per year: February, April, June, September, October, and December. | |
| About four weeks before the test date. | Registration Deadlines | About four weeks before the test date. | |
| www.collegeboard.com | More Information | www.act.org |