For college admissions and receiving scholarships, many schools ask you to take either the ACT or SAT. Most students take these tests first in the spring of junior year and again in the fall of senior year. While both exams measure your readiness for college, they differ in format, timing, and scoring. Understanding these differences can help you pick the test that’s right for you—we’re here to help!
Determining which Test to Take
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in admission criteria for institutions like the Ivy League and the University of California system. Some are now test-blind, ignoring all scores, while others offer transitional test-optional policies, letting students choose to submit scores. Most U.S. colleges accept either the ACT or SAT for admissions, so it's crucial to confirm your school's preference.
In some instances, high schools provide and administer the ACT or SAT. Certain states may mandate one of these tests for graduation. It's essential to speak with your high school counselor to ensure you meet graduation requirements and contact the college admissions office for any clarification on test requirements or specific scores needed.
ACT Test
| Test | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| 1. English | 75 questions | 45 minutes |
| 2. Mathematics | 60 questions | 60 minutes |
| 3. Reading | 40 questions | 35 minutes |
| 4. Science | 40 questions | 35 minutes |
| Total | 215 questions | 175 minutes |
| 5. Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes |
ACT English
The English portion is comprised of multiple essays that ask you questions regarding:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Theme and purpose
- Organization, unity, and cohesion
- Effective flow including introductions and conclusions
ACT Math
The math portion of the ACT covers many different concepts and requires you to have memorized some formulas. All questions are multiple choice and require an understanding of skills required to be successful in an entry-level college math course. This includes:
- Understanding of basic formulas and computational skills (you are not required to remember complex formulas)
- Numerical quantities (integer, rational exponents, vectors, and matrices)
- Algebraic equations (linear, polynomial, radical, and exponential)
- Functions (linear, radical, piecewise, polynomial, and logarithmic)
- Geometry
- Statistics and probability.
A permitted calculator is allowed to be used on the mathematics portion of the test.
ACT Reading
The reading portion has four different reading passages that measures your logical reasoning using evidence to read closely. You will be asked about:
- Main idea
- Interpreting significant details
- Making comparisons
- Understand cause-and-effect relationships
- Ordering sequence of events
- Finding the meaning of context-dependent words and phrases
- Analyzing the author/narrator’s voice
- Integrating information from multiple texts
- Analyzing claims and evidence in arguments
ACT Science
For the science section, you are not required to have advanced knowledge on biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, and physics, but your introductory science courses taken in high school will assist you. You will be asked about data representation through the graphics and tables most often found in science journals and texts, research summaries where the questions focus on:
- How the experiment is designed
- Interpretation of the results
- Conflicting viewpoints where you are asked to focus on understanding
- Analyzing, and comparing alternative views or hypotheses.
(Calculators are not permitted.)
ACT Writing
The optional writing portion provides you with one prompt surrounding a complex issue and provides three possible perspectives on the issue. You must analyze the perspectives alongside your own views, or you may adopt one of the perspectives provided. This measures your writing ability for entry level college courses.
ACT Scoring
Your ACT score is not negatively impacted by guessing. The number of correct answers is converted into your raw score for a particular section. Together your total score is comprised of the average of the four scores and rounded to the nearest whole number to create your composite test score. Scores ranges from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest) with your optional writing portion scored separately.
SAT Test
Structured a little differently than the ACT, the SAT takes three hours to complete and is comprised of the reading, writing and language, and math test. The SAT is made up of mostly multiple-choice questions, but the math section sometimes asks you to write in the correct answer. You are also not penalized for the wrong answer, so it is in your best interest to fill in each answer rather than leave it blank.
| Test | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Reading | 52 questions | 65 minutes |
| 2. Writing and Language | 44 questions | 60 minutes |
| 3. Math | 58 questions | 80 minutes |
| Total | 154 questions | 180 minutes |
SAT Reading
The reading portion of the SAT includes four individual passages and one pair of passages that are intended to be read together. Each reading passage is between 500 and 750 words and is comprised of one passage that is a work of fiction, one or two passages from a U.S. founding document or an offshoot text, one passage from a social science, and two passages from scientific works (Earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics). All answers are based on the content stated or implied and are not based off any prior knowledge of the subject. The questions will ask you:
- How the author uses evidence in the piece
- How to understand the words in context
- Examine a hypothesis
- Interpret data
- Consider implications presented by the text
SAT Writing and Language
The writing portion is made up of four reading passages of 400-450 words of varying complexity. The test asks you to read and fix the mistakes and written weaknesses of the passage. There will be at least one narrative passage and the other passages may be argumentative, informative, or explanatory. Each passage has 11 questions where you are asked about:
- Grammar
- English language usage
- Standard English mechanics
- Idea development
- Logical organization of the work
- Effective use of language to improve the overall writing
SAT Mathematics
The math test is divided into two portions, the non-calculator portion, and the calculator portion. In this section, there are many multiple-choice math questions, but some questions may ask you to write in the answers at the end. Formulas are provided for you as well. You will be tested on mathematical usages that are frequently found in college and careers. Questions include:
- Algebraic equations such as linear equations and systems
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Proving quantitative literateness
- Manipulation of complex equations
Calculators are permitted for Math – Calculator section, but check to ensure you bring an accepted calculator to the test.
SAT Scoring
When you receive your scores, each section will be given a score between 200 and 800. Your initial raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) will be converted and adjusted based on slight difficulties between different versions of the test to ensure there is no advantage of taking the test on a particular day. Your composite score will range from 400 to 1600 and is the sum of all your section scores. You will also be shown your percentile to give you an idea of how you compared to other SAT takers.
Standardized Test Taking Tips
If you are looking to score high on your ACT or SAT, it is important that you prepare. There are many test preparation (prep) services available online and in bookstores for a fee, as well as free resources available online and at your local library. Check with your high school counselor to see what may be available to you through your school.
Another important tactic in preparing for test day is being familiar with the test and the timing of the sections. Prior to test day, find a quiet place where you can have a couple hours to practice what test day will be like. Use timers to help you become familiar with the pressure of the test’s time limits. Simulating the testing environment and the timing will help you learn how to focus and read the questions carefully, while also giving you an idea of how the test words its questions. Another timing tip, if you have never been to the testing location, if you’re able, it may be worth it to swing by. Get an idea of the location and the parking situation to help determine your timing the day of.
The night before your test, you should get a good night’s sleep. Make sure you know where the testing location is to ensure you can get there on time. Both tests begin promptly at 8 am and you will not be admitted to the test if you are late.
The day of the exam, you will need to bring with you your printed out admission ticket, an acceptable ID, two number 2 pencils with erasers, and your test-approved calculator. It is a good idea to wear a watch that does not beep or have an alarm (if your watch sounds during the test, you will be dismissed and your test will not be scored), dress in layers as your testing room may be cold or warm, and come with water and snacks for testing breaks. While you can’t eat or drink while taking the test, you can have a quick snack and drink during your break. Devices such as cell phones, smart watches, or any other devices with the ability to record, access the internet, or communicate must be turned off and placed out of sight. If you access your device or it sounds in the testing room, you will be dismissed, and your test will not be scored. Double check what items you will be allowed to bring with you! You don’t want to be denied entry or dismissed due to a non-permitted item.
During the test, take heed of time limits and read the questions quickly, thoroughly, and carefully. Some questions may contain subtle details and though the test is not designed to trick students, it may be easy to give the wrong answer based on a misinterpretation. Your first pass through the section you should skip over the more time-consuming and perplexing questions to return to them after answering the other questions in the section. Use the process of elimination when it comes to multiple choice answers—identify and disqualify glaringly wrong answers and focus your energy on which of the remaining answers is most correct. It is unwise to spend too much time on a difficult question as it takes time away from answering other, possibly easier questions.
Keep some time available at the end of each section to fill in answers for every question, even if you need to make a guess. You will not be penalized for wrong responses, so do your best to respond to every question.
While you are allowed to retake the SAT or ACT as many times as you would like, most students take their test of choice at least twice. Many schools will take your highest score, but some colleges or universities may take an average of your scores. The admissions website or an admissions officer can offer insight on how your prospective school handles standardized test scores.
