The SAT vs. the ACT: Which Test Should You Take?

Written by Megan Stubbendeck | Feb 25, 2015 9:00:55 PM

When deciding which college admissions test to prepare for, you should know that there are more than just differences in test content between the SAT and ACT. Some other aspects that students and parents tend to gloss over—such as each test’s protocol on extra time or super scoring—are just as important as brushing up on academic skills. To help you get a sense for which test suits you best, we put together the chart below, highlighting exactly what to expect from both the SAT and ACT. Note: This chart compares the current SAT with the ACT. The current SAT will be administered through January 2016. [mk_page_section attachment="scroll" bg_position="left top" bg_repeat="repeat" bg_stretch="false" enable_3d="false" speed_factor="4" bg_video="no" video_mask="false" video_opacity="0.6" top_shadow="false" section_layout="full" sidebar="Shortcodes" min_height="100" padding_top="0" padding_bottom="10" margin_bottom="0" first_page="false" last_page="false"][mk_title_box color="#129672" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="50" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="5" font_family="Montserrat" font_type="google" align="center"]SAT[/mk_title_box][mk_divider style="thin_solid" divider_width="one_half" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="10"][mk_title_box color="#129672" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Math[/mk_title_box][mk_custom_list style="e332" icon_color="#129672" margin_bottom="30" align="left"]

Covers statistics, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry
Designed to test whether a student can identify which math concepts and formulas to use
Provides commonly used formulas (e.g. Pythagorean theorem, special right triangles, and area) for students
Tests recognition of Math concepts

[/mk_custom_list][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="50" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="5" font_family="Montserrat" font_type="google" align="center"]ACT[/mk_title_box][mk_divider style="thin_solid" divider_width="one_half" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="10"][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Math[/mk_title_box][mk_custom_list style="e332" icon_color="#c13627" margin_bottom="30" align="left"]

Tests same concepts as the SAT with the addition of trigonometry
Math concepts and formulas are usually obvious
Does NOT provide commonly used formulas for students
Tests ability to apply Math concepts

Tests ability to draw inferences and conclusions from evidence
Questions include line numbers and appear in order in the passage, so students can easily navigate
Includes vocabulary section

[/mk_custom_list][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Reading[/mk_title_box][mk_custom_list style="e332" icon_color="#c13627" margin_bottom="30" align="left"]

Tests speed and instant recall
Most questions do NOT include line numbers, so students must remember what they read
Does NOT include vocabulary section

Tests grammar rules related to verbs, pronouns, idioms, and sentence structure
Questions ask about stand-alone sentences with no context

[/mk_custom_list][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]English[/mk_title_box][mk_custom_list style="e332" icon_color="#c13627" margin_bottom="30" align="left"]

Tests same concepts as SAT with the addition of punctuation
Includes reading comprehension questions
Questions ask about sentences within a passage

Tests ability to form a persuasive argument in response to a prompt about general topics (e.g. defining heroism, overcoming obstacles, challenging conformity)
Essay score is included in student's total SAT score
Essay is required

[/mk_custom_list][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Essay[/mk_title_box][mk_custom_list style="e332" icon_color="#c13627" margin_bottom="30" align="left"]

Tests ability to write a persuasive argument in response to a specific, modern-day issue (e.g. cell phones in schools, requiring community service, taxes on junk food)
Essay score is NOT included in student's ACT composite score
Essay is optional

[/mk_custom_list][mk_title_box color="#129672" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="28" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="center"]No
Science
Section[/mk_title_box][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Science[/mk_title_box][mk_custom_list style="e332" icon_color="#c13627" margin_bottom="30" align="left"]

Tests ability to analyze charts/graphs and draw conclusions
Focuses more on logic and scientific thinking, not on actual scientific knowledge

3 sections, 800 points each
Total Score is sum of 3 sections = 2400 points
Good score increase is 200 points
Guessing penalty: penalizes students 1/4 of a point for each wrong answer

[/mk_custom_list][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Scoring[/mk_title_box][mk_custom_list style="e332" icon_color="#c13627" margin_bottom="30" align="left"]

4 sections, 36 points each
Total Score is average of 4 sections = 36 points
Good score increase is 3 points
No guessing penalty

More commonly accepted by international universities
Given in more international locations and more often throughout the year

[/mk_custom_list][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]International Students[/mk_title_box][mk_custom_list style="e332" icon_color="#c13627" margin_bottom="30" align="left"]

Not always accepted by international universities (although accepted by all US universities)
Fewer international test sites and offered less often throughout the year

[/mk_custom_list][mk_title_box color="#129672" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Super Scoring*[/mk_title_box]Most universities super score the SAT[mk_padding_divider size="25"][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Super Scoring*[/mk_title_box]Most universities do NOT super score the ACT[mk_padding_divider size="25"][mk_title_box color="#129672" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Scheduling[/mk_title_box]Offered the same day as SAT Subject Tests and may conflict with students' plans to take those exams[mk_padding_divider size="25"][mk_title_box color="#c13627" highlight_color="#000" highlight_opacity="0" size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="bold" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="18" font_family="Open+Sans:400,600,700,800" font_type="google" align="left"]Scheduling[/mk_title_box]Offered on days different from SAT Subject Tests and will not conflict[mk_padding_divider size="25"]*Super scoring is the process of taking the highest section scores from multiple test sittings to create a new composite score.[mk_divider style="thin_solid" divider_width="one_half" margin_top="20" margin_bottom="20"]Have more questions? The test prep experts at ArborBridge are always happy to help.
Contact us at info@arborbridge.com or call (+1) 917.525.2548 to learn more.[/mk_page_section]

View full post