While it's generally ideal to choose one test—the SAT or the ACT—and stick with it, there are situations in which you might choose to switch. Maybe the test you've chosen is only offered on dates that no longer work for you. Maybe you feel like you've plateaued after a long stretch of SAT prep and are thinking that the ACT might be worth a try. Or maybe you're thinking you'll keep your focus on the ACT but take an SAT just in case you have a good testing day.
Whatever your reasons for considering a switch. you'll want to make a fully informed decision. Here are the factors worth considering.
Test format
Fortunately, now that the SAT has gone digital, both exams are on computer, so a change of exam won't require a shift from computer to paper, or vice versa. However, there are some important differences in test formats.
Linear vs. adaptive
- The ACT is a linear test. That means each question is worth the same number of points, and the computer-based ACT retains exactly the same format as the paper exam—it's just on computer.
- The SAT is an adaptive test. That means not all questions are worth the same number of points. Additionally, the difficulty of the questions in the second module of a section will depend on your performance in the first module—perform well, and you'll receive a difficult second module, but perform less well, and you'll receive an easier second module and a correspondingly lower score. Check out our blog for more information on how adaptive testing works.
The takeaway: If you tend to start strong but sometimes run out of steam towards the end of the test, you may find that the SAT is a good fit for you. If you find that you need some time to ease into the test and tend to perform better towards the end, you may find the adaptive nature of the SAT more challenging.
Longer, faster-paced exam vs. shorter, more slowly paced exam
- The ACT is a longer exam with less time per question. Total testing time for the ACT is over three hours, with breaks. The average time per question is 36 seconds.
- The SAT is a shorter exam with more time per question. Total testing time for the SAT is slightly under two and a half hours, with breaks. The average time per question is 1 minute and 22 seconds.
The takeaway: If you struggle to stay focused over long periods of time or struggle with timing, you may find the SAT's shorter overall testing time and more relaxed pace works to your advantage.
Test content
There is considerable overlap in the concepts tested on the ACT and SAT, so if you've been prepping for one exam but are considering a change to the other, you should find that a number of the skills you've mastered will transfer over to your new exam.
ACT English vs. SAT Reading & Writing
- ACT English tests grammar and rhetorical skills. You'll see questions about punctuation, pronoun usage, verb tense, subject verb agreement, transitions between ideas, and word choice, among others.
- SAT Reading & Writing includes questions that test grammar and rhetorical skills. You'll see questions about punctuation, pronoun usage, verb tense, subject verb agreement, and transitions between ideas, among others. This section also contains reading comprehension and vocabulary questions.
The takeaway: The SAT Reading & Writing section tests many of the same concepts as the ACT English section does, so if you're switching between exams, the grammar-related content should feel similar. However, grammar questions make up only a portion of the SAT Reading & Writing section. Whether or not grammar is your strong suit may influence which exam is best for you.
ACT Math vs. SAT Math
- ACT math tests a wide variety of concepts, including precalculus. On the ACT, you'll see geometry, algebra, statistics, and arithmetic questions, along with questions that test more advanced concepts such as vectors, matrices, ellipses, and non-right-triangle trigonometry. The final ten questions of the section are known for being especially challenging. Questions tend to be worded in a way that is straightforward.
- SAT math tests a limited number of concepts. SAT math questions tend to stick to geometry, right-triangle trigonometry, algebra, statistics, and arithmetic, but with a strong focus on advanced algebra. Question wording can sometimes be tricky, so while students have more time per question on the SAT, they often find that they need that time because the questions are complex.
The takeaway: If you're a strong math student but sometimes get tripped up by complex wording, or if you're partial to geometry and struggle with functions and graphs of functions, you may find the ACT math section is more suited to you.
On the other hand, if you find the wider variety of concepts tested on the ACT intimidating, you may find you prefer the SAT. Additionally, many students find that the SAT's built-in Desmos graphing calculator helps them enormously.
In any case, if you're switching between exams, you'll find that you use many of the same skills in both math sections.
ACT Reading vs. SAT Reading & Writing
- ACT Reading includes four long reading passages. On every test, you'll see passages on the same topics: fiction, social sciences, humanities, and natural science (in that order). Each reading passage comes with 10 multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of the passage.
- SAT Reading & Writing includes 22 short passages per module. On the SAT, each question comes with its own one-paragraph passage, and occasionally a chart, graph, or second paragraph. Questions test a range of concepts including vocabulary, reading comprehension, and charts and graphs interpretation, along with grammar.
The takeaway: If you find that you struggle to focus while you're reading long passages, you may find the SAT's shorter passages somewhat easier.
However, while the ACT's passages are longer, its questions tend to be much more straightforward. Often, they only require you to search through the passage to find the answer, which is sometimes repeated nearly verbatim in the correct choice.
In contrast, SAT reading comprehension passages are shorter, but require you to use deeper reading and reasoning skills. The vocabulary tested on the SAT is also more advanced. Thus, some students may find the ACT's reading section easier. Both exams test your ability to comprehend what you've read, though.
ACT Science vs...no science.
- The ACT Science section does not test science. While some students initially find this section intimidating, the truth is that very few ACT Science questions actually test your science knowledge. This section really tests your ability to read and interpret charts and graphs—something that can be done even if you've never taken a science class.
- The SAT does not contain a science section. However, it does include a very limited number of questions that test your ability to read and understand charts and graphs—it just places these questions in the Reading & Writing section instead.
The takeaway: If you're hesitating about switching to the ACT because of the science section, take a practice test before you decide. You may be surprised to discover that this section is not as scary as it looks! If, on the other hand, you struggle to interpret charts and graphs or find the ACT Science section's tight timing challenging, you may find that the SAT is a better bet for you.
What next?
If you haven't done so already, take a diagnostic exam of the test to which you're considering a switch, and use the results to inform your decision. Our ArborBridge experts can help you interpret your scores and make the choice that's best for you.
Keep in mind too, that the information above applies to the existing ACT, but in September of 2025, the international version of the exam will change. You can find out more details about these changes in our blog.
Need more individualized advice?
Keep in mind that these recommendations are just a starting point. Your final decision will depend on several factors, such as your diagnostic SAT/ACT scores, the specific test dates available in your country, your individual testing goals, and more. For help navigating these nuances, reach out to us here.
About ArborBridge
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