ACT vs SAT: What's the difference?

Hi everyone, I'm a little bit stressed about the college admissions process and was wondering if someone could explain the key differences between the ACT and SAT? Are they viewed differently by colleges? Thanks!

Hi there! I understand that the college admissions process can be stressful, but I'm here to help clear things up. Let's dive into the key differences between the ACT and SAT, and how they're viewed by colleges.

Content and Structure:

- The SAT consists of four sections: Evidence-Based Reading, Writing and Language, Math (with calculator), and Math (no calculator). There's also an optional Essay section. The test length without the essay is 3 hours, and with the essay, it's 3 hours and 50 minutes.

- The ACT has four sections, too: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The ACT also offers an optional essay section called Writing. The test length without the essay is 2 hours and 55 minutes, and with the essay, it's 3 hours and 35 minutes.

Scoring:

- The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with each of the two sections (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) worth up to 800 points.

- The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with each of the four sections receiving individual scores (also on a scale of 1 to 36). The final composite score is the average of the four section scores.

Key Differences:

- The SAT's Math section is generally considered more focused on algebra, while the ACT Math covers a wider range of topics including geometry and trigonometry.

- The SAT has a no-calculator Math section, whereas you can use a calculator throughout the entire ACT Math section.

- The ACT includes the Science section, which the SAT lacks. However, don't let the name intimidate you; the Science section primarily tests your ability to analyze and interpret data rather than requiring extensive background knowledge in specific science subjects.

- The SAT Reading section places more emphasis on analysis and dense, complex texts, while the ACT Reading emphasizes reading speed and comprehension.

- The optional essays differ slightly: the SAT Essay asks you to analyze a text, while the ACT Writing prompt gives you a more open-ended question to discuss.

As for college admissions, both tests are viewed essentially equally by most colleges in the United States. Some students naturally perform better on one test over the other due to the differences in content and format, so it's a good idea to take a practice test of each and see which one you're more comfortable with.

Once you've chosen the test that suits you best, focus your energy on studying and preparing for that exam. Good luck with the college admissions process!