Hey fellow applicants, I was just wondering what 'SAT' stands for in the context of college admissions. I know it's a standardized test, but what exactly is the full term it represents? Also, how does it differ from the ACT?
Hi there! SAT originally stood for "Scholastic Aptitude Test", but over the years it has been rebranded, and now, SAT doesn't have a specific meaning attached to the individual letters; it's simply the name of the exam. The SAT is administered by the College Board and is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States.
As for the difference between the SAT and ACT, they both serve a similar purpose in evaluating your knowledge and skills for college admissions, but they have some structural and content differences:
1. Sections: The SAT has two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (which includes Reading and Writing & Language) and Math. The ACT has four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
2. Scoring: SAT scores range from 400-1600, combining the scores of the two main sections, each ranging from 200-800. ACT scores range from 1-36, based on the average of the four sections, each scored from 1-36.
3. Science: The ACT includes a Science section, whereas the SAT doesn't have a separate science section. However, the SAT incorporates science-related questions in its Reading and Writing & Language sections.
4. Essay: Both tests used to offer an optional essay, but as of 2021, the SAT no longer has an essay and only the ACT has the option to take an essay with the regular exam.
5. Time: The SAT is slightly longer than the ACT, at 3 hours, compared to 2 hours 55 minutes without the essay and 3 hours 35 minutes with the essay for the ACT.
Colleges generally accept both SAT and ACT scores, so it's up to you to decide which test you feel more comfortable taking. Some students find they perform better on one test over the other, so you might consider taking practice tests for each to determine which suits you best. Good luck with your test preparation and college applications!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.