10 Key Differences Between SAT and ACT Tests

Many high school students often ask: Should I take the SAT or ACT? Both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests that universities and colleges use to assess prospective students, despite the resemblances, a few critical variations exist between them.

There's a significant difference between SAT and ACT test format. The SAT is divided into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math. In contrast, the ACT is comprised of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.

Deciding which test is easier between SAT or ACT depends entirely on a student's strengths and weaknesses. The SAT may be more suitable for students with strong reading and writing skills. Science-minded students, on the other hand, may find the ACT to be a better fit.

The scoring scale also differs for both tests. The SAT score How to send SAT scores ranges from 400 to 1600, while the ACT score ranges from 1 to 36.

SAT and ACT test subjects also noticeably diverge. The SAT math section emphasizes reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis, on the other hand, the ACT math section tests a wide array of topics from pre-algebra up to trigonometry.

Choosing whether to take SAT or ACT truly depends on an individual's preferences. Most colleges and universities accept either SAT or ACT scores, therefore, it's advantageous to select the test where you can best demonstrate your strengths. In the end, what matters most is not which test students take, but how well they do on it.